For a spirit that used to be consumed so widely around the world, Irish whiskey has taken a nasty hit in the century and a half since a big decline.
In its place, bourbon, rye and Scotch, as well as other whiskeys, have flourished.
But with whiskey made from Ireland on the cusp of a renaissance of its own — now that about a dozen distilleries are in operation on the island — it’s high time for us to start exploring them again. (Many of these distilleries are still too new to even have their aged spirits on the market yet; that only means Irish whiskey lovers will have far more bottles to choose from in a couple years.)
Let’s start with Tullamore D.E.W., a brand of blended Irish whiskey with a long history. It was originally produced in 1829 in the Irish town of Tullamore; after the distillery’s move to another area of Ireland, it moved to the outskirts of Tullamore last year. Now owned by William Grant & Sons, the brand distills a handful of different whiskeys, including the slightly sweet and fruity Tullamore D.E.W Original. Try it in these two cocktails.
The Irish Manhattan
3 oz. Tullamore D.E.W.
1 oz. sweet vermouth
2 dashes bitters
2 cherries
Add all ingredients to a mixing glass and shake. Serve over ice and garnish with cherries.
The Welsh Wonder
1 1/2 oz. Tullamore D.E.W.
1/2 oz. Galliano
1/4 oz. part Cointreau
1/2 oz. orange juice
1 egg white
Muddled raisins
Shake all ingredients with ice, egg white last. (To separate the egg from the yolk, place an egg strainer over the cocktail shaker.)
Strain and serve in a brown sugar-rimmed coupe glass with a square of an orange peel and raisin on a cocktail stick.
— Tullamore D.E.W.
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