This Special Reserve is a triple blend, much like the majority of the family, of malt, grain and pot still whiskeys. In the Tullamore blends, the pot still is the only component that receives sherry aging, and not all of the pot still included at that. The 12 Year Old, is renowned for its sherry forward nose and palate. Brian Kingsman, Master Blender for William Grant & Sons, who own Tullamore Distillery, creates this blend with whiskeys no younger than twelve years old, with a larger component of sherried pot still in the blend.
This creates a whiskey with an absolutely luscious nose and a balanced yet complex palate. Don’t believe me? Well that’s ok, because Tully 12 also won a Gold Medal in the ‘Best Blended Whiskey Under €60’ category at the 2015 & 2018 Irish Whiskey Awards. This whiskey retails in the Republic of Ireland for approximately €45-50.
Tasting Notes by Matt Healy, Chief Editor of Potstilled.com
ABV: 40% (80 Proof)
Nose: Vanilla and toasted wood up front with a healthy dose of pot still spice and some maltiness. A slight nuttiness that is tied together with a hint of raisins.
Palate: A mouth coating creaminess, spry wood prickle, dry citrus, raisins, sultanas, and maltiness. Nice Christmas cake finish.
Finish: Spry wood prickle remains with vanilla and hint of nuttiness.
Overall: This is a beautiful, easy drinking whiskey with a great mouthfeel. A great value for money blend, with an age statement. Hard to beat that. A must have on my shelf.
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Sláinte.