Whiskey Del Bac Dorado

Tonight, we're doing things differently. Instead of individual reviews and scores, I'm comparing bottles from my collection and those of friends. This series will pit two similar bottles against each other, often grouped in the same style (like heavily peated Scotches or barrel-proof bourbons). The goal is to help you choose between two delicious but distinct options. Today's matchup: Whiskey Del Bac versus Colkegan. Category: American Single Malt Style: Mesquite Smoked Single Malt Age: 2-3 years Price: $50-60 USD Tasting Conditions: Neat, Glencairn glass, 5-minute rest before smelling, both bottles about half full. Nose: Colkegan's nose is mild and gentle, with an earthy, grassy character and a faint whiff of smoke, hinting at what's to come, finishing with a minty/menthol note. In contrast, Del Bac's aroma bursts from the glass with a meaty, briskety scent, leaving no doubt about the flavor. Comparing to peated single malts, Colkegan is like Caol Ila, and Del Bac is like Lagavulin. Palate: Colkegan enters smoothly with a creamy texture. It uses less smoked malt and is aged at a higher elevation than Del Bac (Santa Fe versus Tucson). The smoke appears mid-palate in Colkegan, integrated rather than overpowering, similar to Caol Ila. Del Bac delivers a massive burst of mesquite smoke upon tasting. It's like stepping into a smoky Texas BBQ pit, operating continuously since the 19th century. It coats your mouth. While the malt is present, the smoke is far more dominant, though not drying. Finish: Del Bac's flavor lingers on the palate, surprisingly given Colkegan's slightly higher proof (46% versus 45%). The smoke from Del Bac isn't drying but has a mild numbing effect in the throat, prolonging the smoky sensation. Colkegan's finish is shorter, with the smoke fading before the end. You're left with a pleasant, malty aftertaste, reminiscent of an Irish single malt or Lowland Scotch. Overall: Two outstanding malts! You can't go wrong with either, but don't mistake them for being the same, just as two Islay malts aren't. Del Bac is for fans of big, bold, smoky malts like Lagavulin, Ardbeg, or Laphroaig. Colkegan suits those who prefer the style of Caol Ila, Highland Park, or BenRiach, where smoke is more evenly distributed. These are often considered the benchmark for Mesquite Smoked American Single Malt, with emerging contenders like Andalusia Stryker and Ranger Creek Rimfire. Availability is limited; neither currently has national or international distribution as of January 2020. I found Colkegan during a business trip in Albuquerque, and my local shop special-ordered Del Bac for me, a perk of living in whisky-rich Austin, TX. In a market crowded with craft spirits offering questionable value, these two stand out. I believe they will endure when the craft distilling bubble eventually pops this decade. They are among the finest American Single Malts, and I foresee the Southwest becoming to American Single Malt what Islay and the Islands are to Scotch. Happy hunting, and enjoy the journey!

The aroma is intensely smoky, reminiscent of wood smoke used for curing meats like hickory, mesquite, or cherry. This spirit offers a peculiar scent profile – meaty, sweet, smoky, and herbaceous with notes of licorice. It's quite intriguing. The flavor is somewhat muted, typical for American Single Malts. It possesses a rich profile with significant woody smoke. For those seeking a meaty character, this is a suitable option. There's a noticeable spiciness that makes it a little harsh; it would be better with less of it. Hints of apple and chipotle are present. Herbal undertones enhance the smoke's depth. It's fascinating and rich, but a bit overpowering, similar to Laphroaig 10 but sweeter and with a more pronounced smoky wood character, complemented by black pepper. It remains unusual. There's a degree of balance, yet also a discordant element where cereal emerges, making it resemble a standard single malt. Following low-grade bourbon and brandy, its appealing smoky meatiness suggests peat. The palate remains very smoky with strong bitter qualities akin to peat, though not necessarily negative. The sweetness balances the meatiness effectively. It evokes Lagavulin 16, though less balanced. Flavors of rendered pork, cherry, apple, and liquid smoke emerge. While subtle notes of minerals, flowers, and mild herbs are present, the liquid smoke flavor is problematic as it tastes artificial, unlike barbecue char. Additionally, there are sweeter, fruitier elements that seem out of place for such a smoky, meaty spirit. It's not bad, but not a fantastic sipper. Compared to other malt whiskies, it's not exceptional, but quite good after bourbon. It's sweeter with a lighter caramel profile than most bourbons and includes floral and light fruit notes hinting at Irish whiskey (without being excessive). It's also very smoky with a bitter herbal kick. In that context, it's acceptable, but still harsh with some poorly integrated flavors. It tastes somewhat young. Enhanced with lightly toasted American Oak, it could be excellent. As is, it has a pleasant finish, but it's quite intense on the palate.

Rating: 13/23 This has had ample time to mature in the bottle with significant aeration. A bottle kill tasting. Nose: Rich and full, with smoke carrying mesquite barbecue bitterness, roasted meat, apple, minerals, and vanilla. The aromas are somewhat intense and clash slightly, revealing its youthfulness. It's a bit like Corsair Wildfire, but less balanced and mature. Palate: Smoky yet sweet, with barbecue leading into ash, some grassy herbaceousness, and tartness underneath, bleeding into apple and then vanilla. There's a minerality that makes the palate feel somewhat light, and oddly, there's still a youthful bite (though the alcohol isn't noticeable). It's surprisingly intense for something that has been aerated so much. The maltiness is present but just another out-of-place flavor. Finish: Malty sweetness with apple leading into bitter-tart smoke and grass. Everything still feels a bit jumbled. - Conclusion - This is definitely not a 15, unfortunately. I estimate it's closer to a 13. Wait a moment. I just emptied the bottle and checked the top of the cork. It says "B: D19-3" and below that, "D: 01/19". I first tried this bottle in July 2019, so I believe this indicates it was only aged for 2 months?! I'm quite impressed if that's accurate. However, if it is, I'm very disappointed they didn't let it age longer. Merely 2 months?! Imagine if it had had a year!

Now that I have a full bottle, it's time for a proper review. I absolutely love mesquite smoked single malt. This style truly embodies the spirit of the American West for me. I already own Colkegan from New Mexico and High West Campfire from Utah, and with this Arizona bottle, I'm closer to completing a smoky four corners collection (Colorado, I'm looking at you. Perhaps Stranahans has something in the works...). The aroma is exquisite and mouthwatering. The mesquite is more pronounced here than in Colkegan, likely due to a higher proportion of smoked barley. I detect notes of meatiness, brisket, campfire, a touch of leather, and an almost creamy quality. Taste delivers just the right amount of smoke alongside a coating, creamy mouthfeel. Letting it rest on my palate brings back memories of my last cigar (though that was quite a while ago. One vice at a time...). The finish is long, leaving a warm, ember-like glow in my mouth that makes me want another sip. I skipped adding water as it was smooth enough at 45% ABV. It's somewhat difficult to locate (only one store in Austin carried it), but it's well worth the effort. Their representative at a tasting mentioned expanding distribution, so hopefully, it will appear on shelves near you soon. Cheers!

Prepared neat at 90 proof. It presents a copper hue with visually appealing legs. The aroma offers wood smoke, char, and sweet grain, accompanied by subtle vanilla and a whisper of chili spice. The taste is reminiscent of mesquite smoke from a barbecue or smoked meat. Notes of leather and vanilla-laced oak complement sweet grain cereal and spicy, sweet grass. It's rich, full-bodied, and coats the palate, with a gentle ethanol warmth. The finish reveals a slight astringency from the smoke and oak, along with mild baking spices, salinity, and sweet charred chilies. The finish is lengthy, tingly, and coating. Adding an ice cube mellows and sweetens the spirit, reducing the spice, yet the mesquite essence persists. This spirit aligns perfectly with my preferences: smoke, sweet grain, and spice. I find the mesquite smoke as appealing as, if not more than, peat. This might stem from a regional bias and scent memories of mesquite smoke in cold winter air, or perhaps a weariness of peat, leading to an appreciation for something similar yet distinct and bold. I suspect it might not resonate as strongly with others due to this characteristic, and that's acceptable. Self-awareness of one's preferences and biases is key. To me, this represents a familiar regional character, and I don't perceive the artificial smoke notes others mention. It's pioneering territory, sharing this with Balcones, and stands as a commendable American single malt whiskey.

Nose: Smoked meat, mesquite, apple sauce, butterscotch, marshmallow, orange zest, vanilla, cherry, floral and vegetal notes, cinnamon, allspice, black pepper, with a mild to moderate ethanol burn. Taste: Mesquite, vanilla cream, baked apple, smoked meat, cherry, butterscotch, orange blossom, lemon, sweet floral notes, nutmeg, cinnamon, sour oak, black pepper, ginger, with a moderate alcohol bite. The finish is medium-short, featuring mesquite, smoked meat, and citrusy apple flavors. The aroma is reminiscent of BBQ with a side of apple sauce, alongside some floral, vegetal, and citrus notes, but not much else. The palate is slightly better, offering baked apple and citrus complemented by salty, thirst-inducing smoked meat. This expression has the unfortunate challenge of following my tasting of the outstanding Whiskey Del Bac single cask Lost Lantern bottling. As anticipated, they share many characteristics, but Dorado is merely a pale imitation of its cask-strength counterpart. While not bad, it tastes over-diluted and young, with a rather brief, unremarkable finish. If I hadn't tasted the Lost Lantern yesterday, I might have appreciated this more. However, it's just above average for my palate. Many thanks to a friend for providing the sample!