Introduction
Today, we’re revisiting one of the most iconic names in Irish whiskey: Tullamore D.E.W. Bob kicks things off by clearing up the pronunciation debate. “It’s labeled as Tullamore D-E-W, with little periods in between each letter, but I’ve checked, and it’s pronounced ‘Dew.’ So, Tullamore Dew it is.”
This triple-distilled blend combines malt, grain, and pot still whiskey—the three major categories of Irish whiskey. It’s non-age-stated, so we know it’s at least three years old, and it’s proofed down to 80 proof. Brad reflects on his early encounters with Tullamore. “This was recommended to me way back before we started the podcast. I remember liking Jameson, and someone suggested I try Tullamore Dew. It was a couple bucks cheaper at the time, and I’ve been a fan since.”
This bottle has always gone head-to-head with Jameson in both price and quality, and today we’ll see if it still holds its ground.
Nose
Brad: The nose here has some really nice lemongrass. It’s earthy and citrusy, with honey coming through. But what really stands out is a strong apple juice note. Once I noticed it, it was all I could smell. It’s really soft and gentle, exactly what you’d expect from an 80-proof Irish whiskey. I’m giving it a 7/10.
Bob: I agree with you, Brad. It’s bright and apple-forward at first, but after 30 seconds or so, the grain whiskey starts to dominate. That brings in a bit of funk and ethanol, which dulls the appeal. It’s still a pleasant nose for what it is, but you can tell it’s not a premium whiskey. I’m also at 7/10.
Taste
Brad: The palate is pleasant but not particularly impressive. The apple juice from the nose carries through strongly, and there are some nice floral notes and honeydew. But it never quite reaches those richer honey flavors I was hoping for. It’s bright and simple. I’m giving it a 7.5/10.
Bob: For me, this is where the whiskey shines a bit more. It’s simple but satisfying. The sweetness transitions really well into the slightly ashy, bitter notes at the back. I expected it to be harsher, but it fades into those bitter flavors very gently. I’m giving it an 8/10.
Finish
Bob: I like the finish for what it is. It’s long-lasting, but the bitter, grain-forward notes do take over. It’s not a cliff-drop kind of finish, which is nice, but it’s still not what I’d call a standout. I’m giving it a 7/10.
Brad: I’m actually lower than you here, Bob. The finish is really ashy, almost cigarette-like, which dominates what little green apple flavor is left. It’s not a great finish at all. I’m giving it a 6/10.
Balance
Bob: The balance is where things start to fall apart for me. It’s just not cohesive. The nose and palate are decent, but the finish is a letdown, and the transition between the three isn’t seamless. I’m giving it a 6/10.
Brad: I think it’s slightly better than you do, but not by much. It’s interesting, but it’s not complex or particularly well-executed. I’m at 6.5/10.
Value
Brad: Tullamore Dew sits at $29 in Ohio, and it’s not a whiskey that gets marked up much across the country. I still think it’s a decent value at this price, especially for someone just getting into Irish whiskey. I’m giving it a 7/10.
Bob: I’m less generous here. Jameson is the same price, and I think it’s a better whiskey. If Tullamore Dew were undercutting Jameson by five bucks, I’d say it was a great deal. At $30, it’s just too expensive for what it offers. I’m giving it a 5/10.
Final Scores
Bob: My final score for Tullamore Dew is 33/50. It’s not a terrible whiskey, but it’s also not worth the price. There are better options out there, even in this price range.
Brad: I’m a point higher at 34/50. It’s a good whiskey, but only just. There are definitely better bottles to spend your money on.
Conclusion
Our average score for Tullamore Dew is 33.5/50 or 67/100, which falls short of the 35/50 threshold where we’d start recommending you buy a bottle. While it’s not offensively bad, it doesn’t justify its price point in today’s market.
For beginners, this could be an accessible introduction to Irish whiskey. You might even enjoy it in a smaller format, like a 50ml bottle, before committing to a full-sized one. However, for seasoned drinkers, there are plenty of better options at slightly higher price points. Tullamore Dew is a solid mixer, but for $30, it’s hard to justify its role as anything more.
