Tullamore D.E.W. 12 Year Special Reserve Review | Wait, Where's the Bottle? | The Liquor Connoisseur
- connoisseurofliquo
- Apr 26
- 2 min read
Updated: 2 days ago
Tullamore D.E.W. 12 Year Special Reserve is a bottle with a visual identity problem — the 12-year age statement on this Irish blended whiskey doesn't come with a standard bottle. Crystal and Roger investigate what happens to the flavor when Tullamore decides to do things differently.
Bottle Specs
Spirit: Tullamore D.E.W. 12 Year Special Reserve Irish Whiskey
Distillery: Tullamore Distillery, County Offaly, Ireland (William Grant & Sons)
Category: Blended Irish Whiskey — 12-year age statement
Style: Triple blend — pot still, malt, and grain Irish whiskies
Casks: Bourbon and sherry cask maturation
ABV: 40%
Price: ~$35–45
The bottle situation: Crystal & Roger note the unusual format
The Tullamore D.E.W. 12 Year Story
Tullamore D.E.W.'s standard expression is one of Ireland's bestselling whiskies — approachable, affordable, and widely available. The 12-year Special Reserve represents the more serious version of the same house style: 12 years in both American bourbon and Oloroso sherry casks, triple-blended from the three core Irish whiskey styles. It's a meaningful step up from the standard expression.
Tasting Notes — What 12 Years Does
Nose: More developed than the standard Tullamore — the sherry cask influence adds dried fruit and warmth to the apple and vanilla that characterize the house style. Palate: The 12-year age shows in a fuller body and more integrated complexity. The triple blend's three components — pot still spice, malt richness, grain smoothness — are all present and in better balance than in the younger expression. Finish: Medium-long with dried fruit and oak fading gently.
Is It Worth the Premium Over Standard?
Crystal and Roger's answer: yes, clearly. The 12-year adds meaningful complexity and depth to the Tullamore D.E.W. house style. The sherry cask contribution is particularly noticeable — it changes the character of the whiskey in ways that justify the price difference.
🥃 Crystal & Roger's LC Recommendations
For Tullamore D.E.W. drinkers: The 12 Year is the upgrade your palate is ready for. The same house style with twelve years more development.
For Irish whiskey exploration: The triple blend approach is distinctly Irish. 12 Year shows how this blending philosophy develops with age.
As a gift: An age-stated Irish whiskey at $35–45 is a gift that shows you paid attention to the category. Underrated as a gifting choice.
LC Verdict
A meaningful improvement over the standard expression that earns its age statement. Tullamore D.E.W. 12 Year is Irish whiskey done right.
Drink To Remember, Not To Forget. 🥃
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