The SOMM Journal

December 2014/January 2015

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{ SOMMjournal.com }  1 13 tillery is located a few miles outside the town, where more than 250,000 tons of earth (mostly peat) had to be cleared to find a secure foundation—secured that is, by 2,300 piles and 900 tons of structural steel. The gigantic earth-moving exercise explains the gently rolling grounds around the distillery. In an otherwise notably flat landscape, all the earth that was moved was required by planning law to stay on site, so it has been used to create a unique and highly appealing setting. The original distillery closed its doors for the last time in 1954, but what has been created here in a few short months is nothing short of remarkable. The striking build - ing references Irish distilling tradition with local building styles—a landmark piece of architecture that blends heritage and provenance, yet looks confidently to the future. This is immediately clear from the Distillery House, the VIP and trade hospitality center that will host a few lucky visitors (the distillery is not currently open to the public, but U.S. trade visits are planned). Everything is tastefully restrained, elegant and sophisticated with subtle use of oak and copper detailing. The coup de theatre, however, comes as a discreetly hidden picture window is dramatically opened to reveal a panoramic view of the distilling floor, with its huge, eight-ton Lauter tun, washbacks and magnificent four copper stills from famed Scottish still-makers Forsyths of Rothes. The distillery immediately went into full production as part of the opening ceremony, and guests were able to watch by live video link as Distillery Manager Denise Devenny operated the spirit safe to select the first spirit run. Incidentally, the D.E.W. of the brand name does not refer to a misty Irish morning, but salutes the one-time owner Daniel E. Williams, who built the brand. It's only right: As they say, "Give every man his D.E.W.!" Pictured at the Tullamore D.E.W. visitor center are the new Tullamore D.E.W. U.S. Brand Ambassadors: Eimear Kelleher (Dublin), Mary-Jade Hynes (Limerick), Conor Neville (Dublin) and Katie O'Donoghue (Dublin) with Tullamore D.E.W. Global Brand Ambassador John Quinn (center). PHOTO COURTESY OF WILLIAM GRANT & SONS

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