Tullamore D.E.W. Irish Whiskey

Not as good as Scotch

Nice!

N: Fruit and caramel, dash of corn, baking spice. Trying to nose properly gives too much ethanol and ends the fun early, but really hadn't noticed while casually drinking. P: Sour fruit and waxy caramel. Vanilla folds nicely into baking spice, especially the longer you hold it on the tongue (to a point, of course). Finish brings a dash of oak, bitterness, and heat. More vanilla and a fruit note that's softened and feels a bit aged, like you might get in a nice Speyside - definitely not that caliber, but similar idea. Deep into the finish (like two minutes after the sip), a black licorice note seems to develop - suggests a cheap bourbon barrel. So you get suggestions of both a fine scotch and a cheap bourbon. Neat trick, that. I can see why people like this. It's easy drinking and perfectly enjoyable in a casual way. It does not generally reward someone who wants to dive in and get as much out of the dram as they can - there just isn't enough there. But that's not a really a flaw at sub-$20. Solid, easy, casual drinker. For close to the price range, I would probably step up to something like a Powers Gold, but this could satisfy an Irish urge in a pinch (at least one that can't also be satisfied by good ole Jamo). ----- Thought I'd start a Distiller Community Discord server and just see if anyone is up for joining/starting a spirits conversation in real time. Here's a link: https://discord.gg/zwdYvAEN. Say hello.

Honey cereal front, grassy finish, smooth, little burn.

Smooth Irish