Tullamore Dew 18 Year Single Malt 750ML

Tullamore Dew 18 Year Single Malt 750ML is a triple-distilled Irish single malt whiskey aged 18 years, bottled at 41.3% ABV (82.6 proof) in a 750ml format. This extended maturation in a combination of bourbon barrels and oloroso sherry casks produces a layered, dessert-rich complexity that sets it apart from the brand's more accessible blended expressions.

Quick Facts: ABV: 41.3%  |  Origin: Tullamore, County Offaly, Ireland  |  18 Year Age Statement  |  Distillery: Tullamore D.E.W.

Production & Heritage

The Tullamore D.E.W. brand traces its roots to 1829, when the original Tullamore Distillery was established in County Offaly, Ireland. The name itself honors Daniel E. Williams, the distillery manager whose initials became synonymous with the whiskey. After the original distillery closed in 1954, the brand changed hands several times before William Grant & Sons acquired it in 2010 and built a new purpose-built distillery in Tullamore, which opened in 2014. The 18 Year Single Malt is triple distilled in copper pot stills, a hallmark of the Irish single malt tradition that yields a characteristically smooth spirit. The whiskey matures for a full 18 years in a combination of ex-bourbon barrels and oloroso sherry butts, allowing deep interaction between spirit and wood that imparts substantial richness and dried-fruit character.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Opens with honeyed orchard fruits — baked apple and ripe pear — before deeper notes of toasted almond and dried apricot emerge. A gentle wave of beeswax and oak spice lingers beneath, with the sherry influence revealing itself through subtle raisin and fig.

Taste: The entry is soft and honeyed, with immediate impressions of marzipan and stewed stone fruit. The mid-palate thickens with dark chocolate, warming baking spice, and a well-integrated oak influence. Toward the peak, a thread of citrus zest cuts through the sweetness, providing balance and preventing the richness from becoming cloying.

Finish: Long and gently warming, with lingering notes of vanilla, toasted oak, and a faint nuttiness. A final breath of dried fruit and marzipan slowly fades, leaving a buttery, mellow impression.

How to Drink Tullamore 18

This whiskey rewards patience — serve it neat in a tulip glass at room temperature, allowing a few minutes of rest after pouring so the full aromatic spectrum opens up. A few drops of water can further unlock the sherry-cask influence. For cocktails, its depth and structure hold up well in specific applications: an Irish Old Fashioned, where the marzipan and dried-fruit notes complement demerara syrup and orange bitters beautifully; a Tipperary (equal parts Irish whiskey, sweet vermouth, and green Chartreuse), where the 18-year malt's richness matches the herbal complexity; or a refined Hot Toddy in cooler months, where the honeyed character and baking spice are amplified by warm water, lemon, and clove.

Best For

• Gifting an Irish whiskey enthusiast looking beyond standard blended expressions
• Marking a milestone anniversary, birthday, or retirement with an age-statement whiskey
• After-dinner contemplative sipping alongside dessert
• Building an Irish single malt collection with a well-aged representative

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Tullamore 18 taste like? Tullamore Dew 18 Year Single Malt has a rich, honeyed palate led by marzipan, baked stone fruit, and dark chocolate, with supporting notes of toasted oak and baking spice. The sherry-cask influence contributes a prominent dried-fruit sweetness balanced by citrus zest and a long, vanilla-laced finish.

How does Tullamore 18 compare to Bushmills 16 Year Single Malt? Both are premium age-stated Irish single malts matured in multiple cask types, but Bushmills 16 incorporates port cask finishing alongside bourbon and sherry, giving it a more berry-forward profile. Tullamore 18 leans heavier into marzipan and dried-fruit richness and carries two additional years of maturation, which contributes deeper oak integration.

Is Tullamore 18 good for sipping neat? Yes — the 18-year maturation produces enough complexity and smoothness at 41.3% ABV to make it an ideal neat-sipping whiskey. Its layered flavor development rewards slow, attentive drinking.

Where is Tullamore 18 made? Tullamore Dew 18 Year Single Malt is produced in Tullamore, County Offaly, in the Irish Midlands. The brand, founded in 1829, is currently owned by William Grant & Sons, which opened a new state-of-the-art distillery in the town in 2014.

What foods pair well with Tullamore 18? The marzipan and dried-fruit richness pairs naturally with almond tart or frangipane pastries. Dark chocolate truffles echo the mid-palate cocoa notes. Aged hard cheeses like Comté or Manchego complement the nuttiness, while a charcuterie board with fig jam mirrors the sherry-cask fruit. Crème brûlée is another strong match, its caramelized sugar harmonizing with the whiskey's vanilla and honeyed tones.

What sizes does Tullamore 18 come in? Tullamore Dew 18 Year Single Malt is primarily available in the standard 750ml bottle format.

Is Tullamore 18 worth the price? As an 18-year age-statement Irish single malt from a well-established brand, Tullamore 18 positions firmly in the premium tier of the Irish whiskey category. It delivers maturation-driven complexity that competes favorably with other age-stated Irish single malts in its bracket, making it a solid value for collectors and serious enthusiasts.

Why Tullamore 18?

The Irish single malt category is increasingly crowded, but genuine 18-year age statements remain relatively scarce. Tullamore 18 earns its place by delivering the full benefit of nearly two decades in bourbon and sherry wood — a depth of flavor that cannot be replicated by younger whiskeys finished in active casks for shorter periods. The triple-distillation process provides the clean, smooth foundation that allows the wood-derived flavors to take center stage without harsh tannins. For drinkers who know and enjoy the approachable Tullamore D.E.W. blend, this single malt represents the top of the range and a genuine step into a more contemplative style of Irish whiskey drinking.