For those fond of whiskey with a honey and oak finish, you’re in for a treat.
On Saturday, May 14, Whiskey Del Bac is releasing Frontera, a new and limited annual expression that’s aged in American white oak and then finished an additional 13 months in Pedro Ximénez Sherry botas.
What’s in the name?
The American single malt is named after the medieval city, Jerez de la Frontera, which rests on what was once the edge of Spain — also known as the world capital of sherry wine. The city, which used to be along the border, still embodies a cultural richness that is common where countries meet.
“After learning more about Jerez de la Frontera, we fell in love with the idea that the sherry botas came from one border region to another — the Southwest Desert — where we could create an expression rich in flavor, with a heritage of cultural blending as well,” said Stephen Paul, Whiskey Del Bac co-founder.
A nice addition to the collection
Frontera is the first whiskey release included in the Whiskey Del Bac Global Cask Collection, which includes a total of three limited annual releases each year — all inspired by European regions. The Global Cask Collection will include two additional releases in 2022: a Normandy-inspired Calvados finish on their Classic and the heavily-mesquite Winter Release, a Desert Southwest interpretation of the heavily-peated Islay Scotches.
Frontera’s Pedro Ximénez sherry finish with a base of Classic sold out quickly and was formerly released as the Whiskey Del Bac 2021 Spring Distiller’s Cut.
“The response for the 2021 Spring Distiller’s Cut was incredible,” said Amanda Paul, Whiskey Del Bac co-founder. “So many people kept sharing their love for this Pedro Ximénez finish that we couldn’t retire it like most Distiller’s Cuts. We knew that we had to bring it back each year.”
How to get a bottle
Frontera —900 bottles total — will be available in national markets where Whiskey Del Bac is distributed including Arizona, New York, California, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Illinois. Lucky for us Tucsonans, we’ll be able to purchase directly from the distillery in-person or online.
Frontera has an ABV of 47.5%, is 95-proof, and will be $90 a bottle.
Frontera’s tasting notes:
“On the nose, you may find raisin, walnut and crushed red grapeskin. On the palate, you may taste heavy vanilla, stone fruits, followed by bright acidity, finishing with lingering honey, oak and leather,” Whiskey Del Bac released in a statement.
Also, they recommended serving it up with one large ice cube.
Whiskey Del Bac is located at 2106 Forbes Blvd., Ste. 103. For more information, visit whiskeydelbac.com. You’ll want to refresh the page at 9 a.m. on Saturday, February 19 and the new Distiller’s Cut ought to show up for you.
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Article written by:
Matt Sterner
More about MattAt a very young age, Matt Sterner was gifted with the artistic ability to masterfully roll a burrito to the highest of standards, but the wrapped medley of delicious innards wasn’t his first love. Matt’s first true love was a combination of reading, writing, and creating. He grew up reading comics, the ingredients list of his shampoo and conditioner bottles, choose-your-own-adventure books, and the Scrabble dictionary — something he found useful when challenging his grandmother to a game.
He attended college at New Mexico State University and graduated with a degree in Digital Filmmaking. One of his favorite classes was screenwriting because he became responsible for the story’s birth before it came to life on-screen. After school, Matt took on numerous positions at a local television station in Tucson. From dealing out stories about heartbreak to producing “fluffier” content for a lifestyle broadcast, he learned what it takes to adapt to the many emotions the world of media can stir. Since 2017, Matt has dabbled in the culinary world of Tucson as well as San Diego, California from time to time.
If you’re in the mood for strange stories, head over to his pride and joy, wonkytimes.com. And in case you’re curious — yes, after all of this time, he still manages to roll a killer burrito.
