New release by Tullamore Dew marks historic disaster

William Grant & Sons has launched a limited edition Tullamore Dew whiskey which pays homage to the “ultimate courage” of Tullamore residents who witnessed a historic air disaster almost 230 years ago.

From left to right: Andre de Almeida (regional director for GTR Europe), Dave Gorman and Deirdre O’Carroll (ARI Ireland/The Loop), John Quinn (global brand ambassador for Tullamore Dew)

The Tullamore Dew Distillery was built in 1829, 44 years after the first ever recorded aviation disaster in 1785 when a hot air balloon crashed in the small town of Tullamore, creating an inferno which ravaged the streets and buildings.

Severely damaged, the town was rebuilt during the decades which followed and a symbol of a phoenix rising from the ashes was later added to its coat of arms.

The 55% abv triple distilled expression is a blend of pure pot-still, malt and grain Irish whiskey that is non-chill filtered and finished ion old Oloroso sherry casks.

Now available in the travel retail sector through ARI, consumers can purchase Tullamore Dew Phoenix from The Irish Whiskey Collection at The Loop in Dublin Airport.

Andre de Almeida, regional director for GTR Europe, said: “Tullamore Dew Phoenix has been created to pay homage to the courage and spirit of the town’s people in a time of great adversity.

“As a limited edition, its availability is only through selected markets, so we are delighted to have been allocated bottles for travel retail.

It seemed only correct that we should keep the line within Ireland and specifically here at Dublin airport, where our partnership with ARI is particularly strong.”

Said to have notes of malt, toffee and vanilla, Tullamore Dew Phoenix was recently awarded Gold in The Spirits Business’ Irish Whiskey Masters.

Last month, Tullamore Dew unveiled its oldest whiskey to date in European travel retail – a 14-year-ols single malt finished in sherry casks.