American single malts are a whiskey expression that has been gaining popularity for some time, and with good reason. For many, you think of single malt, and you likely pictured a smokey Scotch. However, Scotch isn’t subtle, and many have a funk that is off-putting for drinkers. American distillers have been looking to change the narrative around smokey single malt. One bottle that succeeds is Whiskey Del Bac Dorado.
My first foray into American single malt whiskey was with Stranahan’s. After all, you can’t live in Colorado without trying Stranahan’s. It’s an unwritten rule. I tried my first bottle of Stranahan’s after it was recommended by one of my friends. At that time, I was a die-hard Jack fan, but I started to explore new brands and varieties of whiskey more frequently. I was amazed by Stranahan’s; it has become my measuring stick when looking for an excellent single malt. The good news is that Whiskey Del Bac stands side by side with the taste and quality of Stranahan’s.
Whiskey Del Bac
Whiskey Del Bac is a small distillery in my hometown, Tucson, Arizona. How small? We asked, and their capacity is around 60k barrels a year, give or take. Although they might not have the massive brand recognition compared to other distillers, they are making exceptional single malts that are incredibly unique.
Although I heard about Whiskey Del Bac several years ago, I didn’t try any of their offerings until 2023. On a trip back to Southern Arizona to visit family, I decided to stop in at a local liquor store to look for Whiskey Del Bac. Although we wanted to visit the distillery and tasting room, their hours didn’t match our availability. I finally decided to take a leap of faith and trust that what I had heard about their whiskies was true. I picked up a bottle of the Classic and the Dorado to try. We were not disappointed!
Whiskey Del Bac officially began back in 2011. Founder Stephen Paul and his spouse, Elaine, came up with the idea of using mesquite wood to make whiskey. Stephen set out on a mission to see if it was possible and began distilling his homebrew. Once Stephen’s daughter learned about her Dad’s hobby, she moved back to Arizona to help her Dad form a legitimate distillery.
Although Amanda and Stephen kicked around a few different name ideas, they eventually settled on Whiskey Del Bac. The Del Bac name comes from an iconic 17th-century Spanish mission on the Tohono O’Odham Nation called San Xavier Del Bac. With the name Whiskey Del Bac, it honors the local heritage and culture of Southern Arizona.
Tasting Notes
According to the Whiskey Del Bac site, one should expect a touch of tobacco and chocolate, with a hint of campfire on the nose, followed by a touch of tennis and toffee on the palate. For this tasting, Alie and I returned to a bottle we had opened about two months earlier. On the nose, we both picked out a savory fruit note. For me, there was a sweet tobacco and a bit of raisins. For Alie, she picked out marinated apples.
On the palate, we both picked out dry and bitter notes. I noticed a bit of leather and a touch of mesquite, with a nutty and warm finish. Alie picked up more of the sweetness in the whiskey and noticed a touch of spiced apple and the nutty finish.
The touch of mesquite in the flavor profile gave the Whiskey Del Bac Dorado the perfect balance. It has a nice smokey flavor that isn’t overpowering. The Dorado is everything I want in a smokey single malt. It has a touch of sweetness to balance the light smoke. Best of all, since it is smoked using wood and not peat, you don’t have to worry about the bandaid taste often associated with single malts from Scotland.
Our Ratings
Drinkability: 4.5
Dorado is a wonderful single malt that is well-balanced and goes down smooth.
Intensity: 2
There is a mellow warmth to the finish. There isn’t a lot of heat up front. It is pleasant and warming rather than overpowering.
Personal Preference: 4.3
Whiskey Del Bac Dorado is one of our top choices.
Beginner Friendly: 3.5
Dorado is delightful and not overly smoked. It would be a good introduction to a smokey single malt.
Availability: 3.5
Whiskey Del Bac spirits are available in 18 states. However, it doesn’t guarantee your local liquor store will carry it. The good news is that Whiskey Del Bac ships for a flat $20 fee for up to 12 bottles.
Closing Thoughts
Whiskey Del Bac Dorado is a fantastic American single malt whiskey. Due to the rising popularity of American single malt, more distilleries are trying to create their own. However, Whiskey Del Bac absolutely crushed this offering and gave other single malt distillers something to strive for.
Whiskey Del Bac Dorado has received several accolades, including a 90-point rating from Whiskey Advocate and a 93 rating from Wine Enthusiast. The recognition of Whiskey Del Bac further highlights the potential of the American single malt category if one is willing to be a bit creative with the expression. One thing we know for sure is that you should pick up a bottle and try it for yourself. Not a fan of smoke? Then check out the Classic. Either one will certainly amaze you.
Happy Exploring!
