‘Normandie’ by Whiskey Del Bac Named One of the ‘Best Spirits of 2023’

Normandie, an annual limited release by the local Whiskey Del Bac, has just been named one of the “12 Best New Spirits of the Year” by Robb Report.

From whiskey to rum to Cognac and gin, the new list praises tremendous new releases that have hit the market in every category. Basically, they suggest you add one of each of the mentioned bottles to your collection ASAP. For instance, Whiskey Del Bac’s Normandie is sold out locally but you can still find a bottle here and there online, such as frootbat.com.

Hopefully, you were ahead of the game and snagged a bottle early.

According to Robb Report writer Jonah Flicker, Whiskey Del Bac’s spirits are an American single malt that “continues to stand out” in the Southwest.

“As American single malt gets closer to receiving a long-overdue legal definition from the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, the category continues to see exciting releases,” he said. “This one, from Arizona distillery Whiskey Del Bac — whose flagship single malt, Dorado, is made with mesquite-smoked barley — leaves out the smoke and instead adds flavor via a lovely cask finish. The base spirit is a solid building block, made from 100 percent malted barley, and is aged in charred virgin-oak barrels. The whiskey is then transferred into Calvados barrels for an additional 13 months, infusing it with notes of raspberry, black pepper, fig, and chocolate-covered raisin.”

Tasting it in Tucson

As mentioned earlier, Normandie is sold out in Whiskey Del Bac’s online store but it’s available elsewhere online and on-hand in local bars and restaurants around town. For example, you can get a taste of it during HUB Restaurant’s upcoming whiskey and pairing dinner in August.

For more information, visit whiskeydelbac.com.