Whiskey Del Bac Distiller's Cut (Spring 2021)

Nose: Strong sherry notes of raisin and prune right out of the bottle. Caramel and chocolate as it opens up. Occasional whispers of nutmeg, dry cinnamon, and blowing dust when I look for them. Palette: Tons of black pepper followed by dark agave, blackstrap molasses, raisins, oiled leather, sarsaparilla, and wood - primarily oak with touches of mesquite. Finish: Long. Peppery sensation hangs around with woody notes. Oily and cheek-coating. Root beer barrel candy retro-nasal with the same numbing sensation on the tongue and gums.

Courtesy of @Jhmoss from a sample trade of two whiskies from Del Bac. I understand this is made with the un-mesquited distillate. Rich and fruity with a nice oaky finish. I had a small pour of the Private Barrel Dorado next to it to compare. The smoky mesquite of the PB Dorado appeals to me as a fan of peaty whiskey, but this holds it's own with the richness of the sherry cask finish. I'm actually not sure I prefer one over the other, as they're both very good, but quite different. I haven't yet tried their regular strength offerings yet, but I'm really impressed with what this distillery is doing. Not sure how wide their distribution is, but worth checking out if you can find it. Thanks for the sample @Jhmoss - look forward to hearing what you think of the PB Dorado.

Zero t