Del Bac Distiller’s Cut Summer 21 is Whiskey Del Bac’s (Hamilton Distiller’s) yearly limited release. It’s delivered at cask strength, it’s finished in other barrels (like Calvados, Cognac, Madeira or ex-Bourbon) and is something of a creative and innovative outlet for the team. This particular release, the 2021, was finished in ex-Sauternes.
This is the first one of these Distiller’s Cuts I’ve tried from Whiskey Del Bac. I’ve seen people talk about them and I’ve seen them pop up on social media, but this is the first time I’ve been able to sit down and try one. I’m looking forward to it.
Let’s get to drinkin’
Del Bac Distiller’s Cut Summer 21 – Details and Tasting Notes
Whiskey Details
Cask Strength | Non-Chill Filtered | Natural Color
Style: Single Malt (American)
Region: Arizona, USA
Distiller: Hamilton Distillers
Mash Bill: 100% Malted Barley
Cask: New Charred Oak, ex-Sauternes
Age: NAS
ABV: 58.15%
Batch: 2021 – Sauternes
Bottles: 755
Del Bac Distiller’s Cut Summer 21 Price: NA – $80*
Related Whiskey
Del Bac Classic Single Barrel
Del Bac Dorado Single Barrel
Virginia Distillery Courage and Conviction Single Malt
Stranahan’s Colorado Whiskey
Balcones Single Malt
Del Bac Distiller’s Cut Summer 21 Tasting Notes
EYE
Ruby caramel
NOSE
Fruity sweet, malty sweet, oak, toffee, slight herbal baking spice and sweet tobacco.
Aroma is dominated by that malty fruity sweetness, but if you give it a little time and water the supporting notes arrive.
PALATE
Herbal spice, winey-fruity sweetness, nutty, tannic oak and some touches of wood and Twizzlers.
The palate is quite dry and tannic, but I’ve had worse. The notes though are decent.
FINISH
Medium -> Fruity sweetness, tannic oak and cocoa fade out to herbal spice.
BALANCE, BODY and FEEL
Decent balanace, medium-full body, dry tannic feel.
Del Bac Distiller’s Cut Summer 21 – Overall Thoughts and Score
To be honest, I like the other Del Bac releases I’ve had more. This isn’t bad by any measure, but it doesn’t quite feel right. It feels like a return to their early days where that tannic, dry, woody, nature stood out heavily in their whiskey. I know some people don’t mind it, or even enjoy it, but that note can be a killer for me.
The rest of the notes in the whiskey are fine, it’s not off, there are no other major flaws in the profile, it’s just that significant tannic dryness. It’s so dry, the first thing I thought of was that Redwood Grizzly Beast, where it sucked all the moisture out of my mouth. Most Cask strength whiskey is a bit drying from the alcohol, but rarely enough to comment on. Though like the Grizzly, this is beyond the norm.
It’s ok, it’s drinkable, but after I did my review passes I wanted to see if a cocktail could help even this one out and I have to say… the Del Bac Distiller’s Cut Summer 21 mixes well. I used the last 1.25 oz to make a Bull and Bear and it worked perfectly. So, at least there’s that.
SCORE: 2.5/5 (average, drinkable, possible minor flaws – C+ | 77-79)
*Disclosure: The bottle for this American Single Malt review was graciously sent to me by the company without obligation. The views, opinions, and tasting notes are 100% my own.
Del Bac Distiller's Cut Summer 21 Review $80
Overall
2.5- Nose (2.5)
- Palate (2.5)
- Finish (2.5)
- BBF (2.5)