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.
Stay in the Tucson Foodie Loop
Weekly digest of new openings, events, and guides. No spam.
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.
