Whiskey Del Bac into the top 100!
If you know me, then you know I was all about local before buying local was cool. Being proud of where you come from, and the things that make it unique is innate in this farm kid. I was so excited to hear last week that Whiskey Del Bac is being recognized on Wine Enthusiast’s “The 100 Best Spirits of 2021” list for their Classic American Single Malt. This bottle is one of only fifteen Single Malts, one of just three American Single Malts, and one of two spirits from Arizona. I am so excited to see the American single malt category gaining recognition. Whiskey Del Bac owner Stephen Paul has been one of the driving forces behind the effort to get the American Single Malt category officially recognized. For more information on that effort, check out American Single Malt Commission.
The recognition couldn’t come at a more poetic time. The brand just celebrated its tenth-anniversary last month. The Whiskey Del Bac Classic is an authentic American Single Malt using the Scottish whiskey-making model in Arizona. Classic is made from 100% barley malt that is mashed, fermented, copper pot distilled, aged, and bottled onsite. The flavors create uniquely deep notes of dried fruit, spice, and toasted wood. Wine Enthusiast had this to say:
“Look for a topaz hue and rich, bold aromas of sarsaparilla, vanilla bean, and orange peel. The palate opens with sweet smoke, cocoa, and espresso, finishing with juicy orange and clove heat. Adding water unlocks more spice, yielding a dark gingerbread or spice cake character. A complex and interesting sipper. ” - Wine Enthusiast (93 Points)
If you know my love for smoke then you can guess that the sister expression Whiskey Del Bac Dorado is my favorite. It’s made from 100% malted barley and smoked over a mesquite fire instead of a traditional peat fire like an Islay-style Scotch whisky. The distinct top note of mesquite smoke pays homage to the Arizona desert that gave birth to the idea. It has also claimed two Double Gold Medals at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition.
If you have not had a chance to try these, get your hands on a bottle. It’s easy to find in Arizona, and they ship nationwide. I am not sure if they are shipping internationally yet. But I once hauled a bottle to Amsterdam to share with some whiskey-loving friends in Denmark (it is legal to mail spirits within the European Union). So if you live abroad, perhaps you can find a mule to bring some to you.
Cheers Friends!
(image credit: Whiskey Del Bac)
