Tullamore DEW Irish Whiskey with John Quinn

John Quinn, Global Brand Ambassador of Tullamore DEW visited Sydney recently and hosted a deconstruction blending session and tasting of the Irish Whiskey.

Held at the intimate setting of The Lock-In at The Potting Shed in The Grounds Alexandria, John Quinn announced the opening of a new distillery in the town of Tullamore, bringing back the production back to its home after 60 years.

The distillery will be located on a 58 acre site, with the building approximately 20,000 square metres with the potential of expansion to 100,000 square metres depending on global demand. The first phase of the distillery is scheduled to be opened in mid-September 2014.

The session began with the Moondance Cocktail, a refreshing palate cleanser created by Pasan Wijesena of Earl’s Juke Joint in Newtown. The cocktail was a blend of Tullamore DEW with Chartreuse Green and Yellow, St Germain Elderflower Liqueur, fresh lemon juice and peach bitters.

Photography © by Gourmantic – Copyright: All rights reserved.

Tullamore DEW Irish Whiskey

Tullamore DEW Irish Whiskey (40% ABV) is triple distilled and a triple blend. The spirit is fresh and fruity and made of predominantly corn as the grain component. On the nose, it has fresh green apples, a little spice and sweetness  which is rather evident on the palate along with a nutty and toasted oak finish.

Tullamore DEW Deconstruction Blending

The deconstruction blending involved sampling three types of whiskeys, comparing them to the Tullamore DEW followed by creating a unique blend. The first was Tullamore DEW Grain, 71% ABV, straight from the cask, aged for 4 years, a predominantly corn-based spirit with malted barley from the Midleton distillery. The dram was very sweet and is said to have a biscuity and metallic character. Next was the Tullamore DEW Malt, 61% ABV from the Bushmills distillery, aged for 5 ½ years with prominent fruit notes with blackcurrants, raspberries, strawberries and a hint of banana. Last was the Tullamore DEW Pot Still, a whiskey from the Midleton distillery that can stand on its own, with 60% ABV, mustiness on the nose, a peppery and spicy character, creaminess on the palate with cinnamon and mixed spice.

Tasting the different components was a great was to appreciate the whiskey and the various profiles that go into a blend. My own Tullamore DEW Unique Blend was a very pleasant sipping malt made of predominantly Pot Still whiskey (approx. 80%), a little of the Malt blend (approx. 15%) and very little of the Grain whiskey (approx. 5%).

Tullamore DEW 10 YO Single Malt

Tullamore DEW 10 YO Single Malt (40% ABV) is aged for 10 years then finished in bourbon casks, oloroso sherry casks, port and Madeira then vatted together to a flavour profile. With pineapple, green apple, green bananas and tropical fruit on the nose, the palate is reminiscent of Christmas cake with a hint of raisins, apricots and toasted oak.

Tullamore DEW 12 YO Special Reserve

Tullamore DEW 12 YO Special Reserve is a triple distilled blend of the three types of whiskey using approximately 55% pot still whiskey. Maturation occurs in a combination of bourbon and sherry casks, for a period of 12 to 15 years. Dark chocolate, spice, praline and a hint of nuttiness and almond, along with a long finish give the whiskey its complexity.

Tullamore DEW Phoenix

Tullamore DEW Phoenix is a limited release, triple distilled blend of grain, malt and pot still whiskey at 55% ABV. It has a high percentage of pot still whiskey and is finished in oloroso sherry casks. Creamy on the palate, spicy and rich yet smooth and easy sipping, it has Christmas cake notes with dark cocoa and long oaky finish which make it a most pleasant sipping whiskey for special occasions.

The whiskeys were paired with delicious bites from the Potting Shed’s kitchen.

Next… Interview with John Quinn of Tullamore DEW Irish Whisky.