Tullamore D.E.W. 12 Year Old Special Reserve is the step up from the familiar Original, and the difference is structural rather than cosmetic. Where the standard bottling balances its three whiskey types for easy drinking, the Special Reserve deliberately raises the proportion of pot still and malt whiskey against grain, which is what gives it the extra weight and the peppery spice that runs through the middle of the palate. Tullamore has always been built on the idea of blending all three Irish whiskey styles, grain, malt and single pot still, and this expression is the clearest demonstration of what happens when you tilt that recipe toward the heavier components. Everything in the blend is triple distilled, the Irish tradition that produces a lighter, cleaner spirit than the double distillation used across most of Scotland, then laid down for a minimum of twelve years. Maturation happens in two cask types working against each other: old oak ex bourbon barrels, which bring vanilla, honey and a soft woody sweetness, and ex Oloroso sherry butts, which layer in dried fruit, nuttiness and a darker, richer edge. The result is medium amber gold in the glass with genuine depth to it, spicier and more assertive than most drinkers expect from Irish whiskey while keeping the smoothness the category is known for. The brand traces to 1829 and to Daniel E. Williams, whose initials became the name and whose signature still appears on the label. Bottled at 40 percent alcohol by volume, it works neat, takes a drop of water well, and has the backbone to hold its shape in an Old Fashioned rather than disappearing into it.
ABV / Proof
| ABV |
40% |
| Proof |
80 |
| Size |
750ml |
| Country |
Ireland |
| Category |
Blended Irish Whiskey |
| Expression |
12 Year Old Special Reserve |
| Age |
12 Years |
| Mashbill |
Malted barley, unmalted barley and corn |
| Distillation |
Triple distilled |
| Maturation |
Old oak ex bourbon casks and ex Oloroso sherry casks |
| Producer |
William Grant & Sons |
| Style |
High proportion of pot still and malt whiskey |
Tasting Notes
Color: Medium amber gold with a tawny cast.
Nose: Spicy and citrus forward, with dried fruit, sweet nuts, honey and a faint red wine note from the sherry casks.
Palate: Rich and creamy with real weight. Sherry character comes through clearly alongside cinnamon, vanilla and malty sweetness, with pot still spice building through the middle.
Finish: Long and warming, closing on citrus peel, sherry sweetness and a distinct marzipan note.
FAQ
Q: What makes the 12 Year different from Tullamore D.E.W. Original?
A: The Special Reserve carries a much higher proportion of pot still and malt whiskey relative to grain whiskey, which gives it more body and noticeably more spice, plus a minimum twelve years of maturation.
Q: What casks is it aged in?
A: Old oak ex bourbon casks and ex Oloroso sherry casks. The bourbon wood contributes vanilla and honey, the sherry wood contributes dried fruit and nuttiness.
Q: What does triple distilled mean?
A: The spirit passes through the still three times rather than twice, a hallmark of Irish whiskey that produces a lighter and smoother character.
Q: Is this a single malt?
A: No. The label reads A BLEND. It combines grain, malt and single pot still whiskeys, with the latter two making up an unusually high share.
Q: How old is the whiskey inside?
A: The label carries a twelve year age statement, meaning every component is at least that old. The producer describes the blend as drawing on whiskeys aged twelve to fifteen years.
Q: Where can I buy Tullamore D.E.W. 12 Year Old Special Reserve online?
A: Available here at Liquor On Broadway while stock lasts, with fast insured shipping nationwide.
