Del Bac Classic Single Barrel is a traditional American single malt made by Hamilton Distillers in Tucson, Arizona. Del Bac is made from barley that’s malted using a traditional floor malting process and is the same whiskey as their Dorado – just without any Mesquite smoke used. This is yet another example of the growing American Single Malt category and for a bit more backstory we turn to the company’s website.
“Before we ever introduced any mesquite component, Stephen had to learn how to just make whiskey. Initially called “The Control” while in product-development, it was the baseline established to improve upon and compare against what came next. Modeled after a Highland or Speyside Scotch, it lacks the smoke of the Islay Scotches.”
And now on to the Del Bac Classic Single Barrel review!
Del Bac Classic Single Barrel Info
Region: Arizona, USA
Distiller: Hamilton Distillers
Bottled For: Everson Royce
Mashbill: 100% Malted Barley
Cask: New Charred Oak
Age: NAS
ABV: 60.15%
Cask Strength | Non-Chill Filtered | Natural Color
Barrel: 370
Price: $65
Del Bac Classic Single Barrel Review
EYE
Caramel
NOSE
Toffee, candied almonds, vanilla taffy and brown sugar get accented by light notes of bananas, cocoa, bran muffin and cinnamon. Water brings out a bit of lemon.
PALATE
Caramel, candied almonds, spice, brown sugar and a bit of earth with light bits of orange pith, French vanilla ice cream and a frosting-like sweetness. Water brings out a bit of a sweet grain character and nearly kills off the earthy aspect.
FINISH
Long fade of caramel, spice, fruit, candied almonds and brown sugar.
BALANCE, BODY & FEEL
Ok balance, full body and a rich oily feel.
OVERALL
Del Bac Classic Single Barrel is an interesting whiskey. It’s not incredibly deep or complex, but it has a solid, well balanced, character that puts it towards the top of the craft whiskey segment. The aroma is softly sweet and spicy with a lightly spirity underpinning. The palate follows suite with a bit more of that vanilla-like spirity nature to it and just enough of an earthy-oaky profile to give it a nice sense of balance.
This release of the Del Bac Classic Private Barrel shows a lot of promise from this relatively young distillery. There is a “solidness” to this cask strength rendition of their standard whiskey that isn’t found in many other craft whiskies out there. I’m looking forward to seeing how they continue to evolve and grow over the years. Definitely distillers to watch.
SCORE: 85/100 (B)
