Tucson, Arizona-based Whiskey Del Bac will release Normandie, a new limited annual expression available in select markets on Saturday.
Normandie is Whiskey Del Bac’s Classic American Single Malt Whiskey, aged in charred, new American white oak barrels, then finished an additional 13 months in Calvados brandy barrels. The American single malt is named after the coastal region of Normandie (the French spelling), France, which is known for its creamy cheeses, rich seafood and an abundance of apples and pears.
“The richness and culinary culture of Normandy reminded us of the culinary scene in our hometown of Tucson, a UNESCO City of Gastronomy,” said Whiskey Del Bac co-founder Stephen Paul. “Blending the bright apple flavors from these Calvados barrels with the earthy and caramel tones of our Classic American Single Malt to create this expression has been an adventure in whiskey making. We couldn’t be more happy with the way this expression turned out.”
Normandie is the second whiskey release included in the Whiskey Del Bac Global Cask Collection, which includes a total of three limited annual releases, all inspired by European regions. The first release, Frontera, finished in Pedro Ximénez Sherry botas, was inspired by the bold and complex sherry wines of Jerez de la Frontera. The third and final release from the Global Cask Collection, a heavily-mesquited winter release coming this December, is a Desert Southwest interpretation of the heavily-peated Islay Scotches. These expressions will be released at the same time each year moving forward.
Normandie’s Calvados finish with a base of Classic was formerly released as the Whiskey Del Bac 2018 Summer Distiller’s Cut that quickly sold out.
“Much like the response from the original sherry cask-finished Distiller’s Cut that then became Frontera, fans of Summer Distiller’s Cut 2018 were so enthusiastic about the Calvados finish we had to bring it back for the annual release of Normandie,” said Amanda Paul, Whiskey Del Bac co-founder.
Only 900 bottles of Normandie will be available at select restaurants and stores in national markets where Whiskey Del Bac is distributed including Arizona, New York, California and Illinois. Spirit Hub will have a limited allocation for the 40 states that they deliver in. Bottles can also be shipped directly to the consumer in Kentucky. Arizona residents will also be able to purchase directly from the distillery onsite starting at 11 a.m. on Saturday or purchase online starting at 9 a.m. and have it shipped anywhere in the state. Normandie is bottled at 97 proof. The suggested retail price will be $90 a bottle.
Normandie’s tasting notes:
On the nose, you may find caramel-dipped apples, sour cherry, and dulce de leche.
On the palate, you may taste bright citrus, peppery notes across the mid-palate, and it finishes with short-but-sweet caramel and stone fruit. The recommended serving for Normandie American single malt is with one large ice cube.