Tullamore

Introduction:

Tullamore D.E.W. whiskey is made using three types of grains, triple distilled, and aged in three different types of casks. The range includes different varieties such as the ‘Original’ with no age statement and fruity, sweet vanilla notes, the 12 – year – old ‘Special Reserve’ with spicier notes and dark chocolate, and the 15 – year – old ‘Trilogy’ with nutty, spicy, and creamy flavors. There are also 14 – year – old and 18 – year – old Single Malt options aged in Bourbon casks. The ‘Phoenix’ has a higher strength of 55%, and the ‘Old Bonded Warehouse Release’ was created to celebrate the reopening of the visitor center in 2012 and has a high Pot Still content. Additionally, Tullamore D.E.W. offers a ‘Cider Cask Finish’ and an ‘XO Rum Cask Finish’ variation.

The Production:

Tullamore D.E.W. Irish Whiskey is created by triple distilling and blending three types of Irish Whiskey: Grain, Malt, and Pot Still Whiskey. The water used in the production comes from the Slieve Bloom Mountains.

The Single Grain variation is made predominantly from 95% wheat and 5% malted barley. Interestingly, a significant portion of the production process for the Single Grain takes place outdoors. The large washbacks and three tall column stills are located outside, contributing to the creation of a sweet and floral grain spirit.

The Stills:

The grain is ‘washed’ with hot water in three mashing processes. The starch is released from the grain and converted into sugar by the enzyme diastase produced in the mashing process. This creates the sugary ‘wort’. Since different sugars are dissolved from the grain at different temperatures, there are also different target temperatures during mashing, which are adjusted in the mash tun.

The mixture is then pumped into a lauter tun, where it is sprinkled twice more with water. This washes more sugars out of the grain.

Depending on which new make spirit is to be produced (Grain, Malt or Pot Still), different temperatures are required, so Tullamore has precise procedures for each type of spirit production.

The Mashing:

Tullamore D.E.W. utilizes three distinct types of copper stills in their production process. These handmade stills are individually crafted and designed based on the original stills used at the Tullamore distillery. One notable feature of these stills is that the Lyne Arms, the pipes connecting the stills, are slightly tilted downwards. Each still has its own unique characteristics, such as being constricted, having reflux bowls, or being more bellied than usual. These variations increase the contact with copper, resulting in a softer spirit.

For the production of Single Malt and Pot Still Whiskey, a total of six pot stills are used: three for Malt and three for Pot Still Whiskey. The wash still, used for distilling the Pot Still Whiskey from malted and unmalted barley, has its neck offset rather than attached in the middle. This configuration promotes more reflux, leading to a smoother spirit. Two spirit stills, each with a capacity of 12,000 liters, perform additional distillation processes. Both of these stills are equipped with reflux bowls to maximize copper contact and produce a lighter spirit. The Single Malt, made exclusively from malted barley, also undergoes triple distillation to enhance copper contact and create a more delicate spirit.

Fermentation:

After the initial process, the liquid known as “wort” is transferred into twelve washbacks, each capable of holding 36,000 liters. Yeast is added to the wort, which triggers fermentation and results in the production of a beer-like liquid with an alcohol content of about eight to ten percent. This fermentation process takes approximately three days, during which the temperature is carefully monitored. The mash is added at a slightly higher temperature to facilitate fermentation. To prevent overheating, the fermentation vats are equipped with cooling jackets.

At Tullamore, this fermentation process yields a new make spirit with a fruity and grassy flavor profile.

The Warehouse:

The Tullamore distillery boasts nine spacious warehouses capable of storing approximately 346,000 casks. As a standard practice, Tullamore Whiskey is filled into three different types of casks: First Fill Bourbon, Refill Bourbon, and Sherry casks. All three types of casks are used to mature the three new make spirits: Pot Still, Grain, and Malt. However, there is one exception to this rule. The mild Grain spirit exclusively matures in various types of Bourbon casks because the Sherry casks would overpower its delicate flavor.

This arrangement allows the master blender to create the Blend using eight different combinations of cask and spirit. Additionally, special finishes are employed for individual bottlings, such as utilizing casks previously used for Caribbean Rum or Apple Cider.

Tullamore distinguishes itself as one of the few distilleries that still maintains a cooperage on – site. This brings the advantage of being able to purchase casks without concerns about their initial quality, as they can be refurbished and repaired at the distillery itself.

History:

The original Tullamore distillery was established in 1829 in the town of Tullamore. Michael Molloy, a local resident, took advantage of the favorable economic conditions in Ireland and built the distillery on land that was previously occupied by Joseph Flanagan’s Whiskey distillery. In the 1840s, Molloy’s nephew Bernard Daly inherited the distillery and later appointed Daniel E. Williams as the manager in the 1880s. Over the course of the mid-19th century, significant modernization took place, including renovations to the distillery buildings and equipment.

Bernard Daly and his family became prominent figures in the Tullamore area and eventually passed the distillery on to Daniel E. Williams around 1900. Williams had worked his way up from being a machine operator to becoming the Master Distiller, manager, and eventually the owner of the distillery. Williams expanded the business by opening over 20 shops and establishing a wholesale business for malt, wine, and spirits. Rumors spread, fueled by envious Belfast blenders, that Williams transported his Whiskey to his shops through underground pipes beneath Patrick Street, although no evidence of such pipes was ever found. This story became an urban legend associated with the distillery, and it was said that someone could always be found singing the song “O Danny Boy” outside the distillery headquarters on Patrick Street. In a 2018 commercial for the Blend, a group of young men in Danny’s bar sings this song.

While production ceased in 1954, the Tullamore brand persisted, and Tullamore Blends continued to be sold. The Whiskey was distilled at the Midleton distillery, located about two hours’ drive south along the Irish coast. In honor of Daniel E. Williams, the initials “D.E.W.” were added to the brand name, and it became known as “Tullamore D.E.W.” In 1965, the brand name was sold to Power’s and subsequently became part of the Irish Distillers Group. The C&C Group acquired the brand in 1993, and in 2010, it was sold to William Grant and Sons, who currently own it.

After a hiatus of 60 years, Tullamore D.E.W. resumed production in September 2014 at its headquarters in Tullamore, County Offaly. A state-of-the-art distillery was built, allowing the production of their own Malt and Pot Still Whiskey since then. In 2017, the company constructed its own Grain distillery. Three years later, in 2020, the distillery expanded to include its own cooperage, enabling on-site cask repairs.

The Visitor Centre:

The Tullamore Distillery opened its visitor center at the end of 2012, providing an immersive experience for visitors. The center includes a restaurant, a souvenir shop, and opportunities for tastings. Tullamore offers three distinct guided tours for visitors to choose from.

The ‘Ultimate Distillery Experience’ takes you through a comprehensive tour of the entire production process, providing a deep understanding of how Tullamore Whiskey is made.

For those seeking a more focused tasting experience, the ‘Whiskey Wise Masterclass’ allows participants to sample six different and rarer whiskey expressions.

For a more personalized journey, ‘The Curios Taster’s Journey’ is guided by a whiskey expert who will offer insights and guidance throughout the tasting experience.

To participate in any of these tours, visitors can make bookings through the Tullamore Distillery’s official website.

Visitor information:

Tullamore D.E.W. Visitor Centre
Bury Quay
Tullamore
County Offaly