My next side-by-side comparison takes a look at two of the biggest names in Irish whiskey: Tullamore DEW vs Jameson Irish whiskey. If you are new to Irish whiskey, chances are you have already seen both bottles sitting on a supermarket shelf or behind your local bar. They are affordable, widely available, and often recommended as entry-level Irish drams.
Both whiskeys are triple distilled, a hallmark of traditional Irish whiskey production that helps create a smoother character compared to many Scotch whiskies. Jameson is a blend of pot still and grain whiskey aged for around four years in oak casks.
Tullamore DEW also uses triple distillation but takes things a step further with triple blending and triple cask maturation, combining traditional refill casks, ex-bourbon barrels, and ex-sherry casks. But when it comes to Tullamore DEW vs Jameson, which one actually delivers the better drinking experience?
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Tullamore DEW Irish Whiskey
Tullamore DEW has an equally rich history. The original distillery was founded in 1829 by Michael Molloy in Tullamore, County Offaly, Ireland, before later coming under the ownership of the Daly family.
The brand changed hands several times over the years before being acquired by William Grant & Sons in 2010. While it may not sell on the same scale as Jameson, Tullamore DEW has built a loyal following among whiskey drinkers seeking a slightly spicier Irish dram.
Jameson Irish Whiskey
Jameson is the best-selling Irish whiskey in the world by a considerable margin. The brand traces its roots back to 1780, when John Jameson founded the Bow Street Distillery in Dublin.
By the turn of the 19th century, Jameson had become one of the most respected whiskey names globally. Today, the brand forms part of the Pernod Ricard portfolio and continues to dominate the Irish whiskey category.
Tullamore DEW vs Jameson Irish Whiskey
| Tullamore DEW Whiskey | Jameson Whiskey | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Irish Whiskey | Irish Whiskey |
| ABV | 43% | 43% |
| Colour | Light amber | Gold |
| Nose | Vanilla and caramel with hints of fresh flowers, butterscotch and citrus with subtropical fruit. In the background, there are faint hints of spice, moss and wood. After the addition of water, the spice and wood dominate the nose. | Freshly baked banana bread, tropical fruit with bits of spicy wood and caramel. Grain mixed with plums, pineapple. Complex and delicious. |
| Palate | Heaps of spice and oak with hints of grapefruit and lemon rind. Bits of toffee sweetness and malt. However, the peppery spice dominates everything. Adding water mellows out some of the spicy notes. | Very smooth. Medium body but the tropical fruit deliciousness promised by the nose is not there. Bits of malt, aniseed mixed with vanilla and pepper notes. Adding water softens the pepper notes. |
| Finish | Rather short and end in spicy notes | Short with pepper and orange rind. |
| My Rating | Very Good | Good |
| Comments | Quite a spicy whiskey. | The nose promised the world. However, it all fell flat on the palate. Not as complex as I was expecting after the delicious nose. |
| Pairs well with | Irish Dubliner Cheese. | Hawaiian pizza, Smoked salmon, dried fruit. |
On paper, Tullamore DEW sounds like the more complex whiskey. But whisky tasting is never just about the production specs. I have never been the biggest Jameson fan, so over the weekend we decided to pit these two Irish whiskeys against each other in a blind tasting to remove any bias.
Revisiting familiar bottles after years of exploring different whisky styles is always interesting, as your palate evolves. What once tasted smooth and approachable can suddenly feel thin, while previously overlooked drams can surprise you.
The comparison turned out to be more interesting than I expected.
On the nose, the Tullamore DEW opens with butterscotch sweetness, fresh floral notes, wood spice, and light oak. Jameson, by comparison, leans into tropical fruit, banana bread, cereal grain, and soft vanilla sweetness. Side by side, the Jameson nose feels more rounded, balanced, and inviting.
The palate is where the real separation happens. Tullamore DEW delivers notes of oak, malt, pepper spice, and dry woodiness. Unfortunately, the pepper heat becomes a little too aggressive and starts overpowering the more delicate flavours underneath. A few drops of water help cool things down, but the spice heat still dominates the finish.
Jameson continues with the tropical fruit notes from the nose alongside malt, vanilla, gentle oak spice, and a softer mouthfeel. It lacks the bold pepper kick of the Tullamore DEW, but it compensates with balance and drinkability. The finish is smoother, slightly sweeter, and ultimately more enjoyable.
What surprised me most was how different the outcome was compared to my original individual reviews. When I previously tasted Tullamore DEW as a “Whisky of the Week,” I rated it as “Very Good,” while Jameson only scored a “Good.” Yet in this blind tasting, Jameson clearly came out ahead.
That is one of the reasons blind tastings are so valuable. Branding, expectations, and previous experiences can heavily influence how we perceive whisky. Removing the label often tells a completely different story.
Final Verdict: Tullamore DEW vs Jameson
Both of these Irish whiskeys fall into the affordable category and are available almost everywhere in the world. They are approachable, versatile, and excellent starting points for anyone looking to explore Irish whiskey without spending a fortune.
If I had to choose between the two, I would reach for the Jameson.
While it will probably never make my personal list of favourite whiskey brands, it performs better as an easy, everyday dram. The smoother palate, sweeter fruit notes, and more elegant nose make it more enjoyable to drink neat. It also works brilliantly in cocktails and remains one of the best choices for a classic Irish coffee on a cold evening.
Tullamore DEW is still a solid whiskey, especially for drinkers who enjoy a spicier profile with more pepper and oak influence. However, the spice becomes a little too dominant for my taste, shortening the overall finish.
For beginners entering the world of Irish whiskey, both bottles are worth trying because they showcase different sides of the category. Jameson highlights smoothness and balance, while Tullamore DEW brings more spice and structure.
Both these releases also have an 18 year old available that might be another fun comparison. I have seen both the Jameson 18 year old whiskey and the Tullamore DEW 18 year old whiskey on Amazon.
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. I may receive a commission if you click on a link and make a purchase.
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All can say this great lady Josephine Clancy who was the best grandmother one could ever have would be proud that her grandson had realized what exceptional taste she really had in Irish Wiskskey I solute you up their in heaven and thanks for those nice limericks you taught me over the years see ya some day
I ran out of Tullamore so I had to start on Jameston.
Nice taste comparison!
Considering until recently both Jameson & Tullamore were made at Midleton Distillery it’s testament to the variety a single distillery can achieve.
Now William Grant’s whiskey at Tullamore is mature it might be entertaining to see if their is any change between older Tullamore bottlings & current editions.
Sláinte