American

Whiskey Review: Whiskey Del Bac Frontera American Single Malt

We review Whiskey Del Bac’s Frontera American Single Malt. It's first aged in new American oak casks, then sherry botas.

OVERALL RATING

8
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Whiskey Del Bac Frontera (image via Devon Lyon)

Tasting Notes

About:

Aged in new American white oak barrels and finished in Pedro Ximènez sherry casks for an additional 13 months. 95 Proof, 47.5% ABV. Mash bill: 100% barley malt. 750ML. SRP: $90.00
Appearance:
Likely due in large part to a 13-month finish in sherry botas, this whiskey is an absolutely lovely visual mix of walnut and gingerbread. And if you are sipping Frontera in a cozy, lowlight room, its hue will shift into dark umber.
Nose:
I smelled honey, brown sugar, and dried fruit.
Palate:
This single malt doesn’t disappoint with an immediately rich, thick and dare I type it… chocolatey first impression (1970s/80s Nestle Quick commercial shoutout). As should be expected, there are sherry notes throughout. I found a medium-length finish that tailed into honey and oak. According to the release notes, the “recommended serving for Frontera American single malt is with one large ice cube.” So, after my requisite sips neat (in my NEAT glass, no less), I obliged. The result is as you would expect (and I supposed, depending on how long you wait), the ice produced a slightly more mellow affair to what is already a great sipper.
Finish:
Comments:
Sherry cask finished whiskey certainly has its followers, and I would count myself among those that enjoy the extra complexity and sweetness that the botas impart. The chosen proof (95) is a nice landing spot for this single malt whiskey, and knowing that the distillery encourages sipping it with an ice cube, it likely could have pushed higher and still been quite an enjoyable, and approachable affair.

Editor’s Note: This whiskey was either bought as a sample by The Whiskey Wash or provided to us as a review sample by the party behind it. Per our editorial policies, this in no way influenced the outcome of this review.

Devon Lyon

Devon Lyon is a seasoned content creator, with two decades of experience producing videos and crafting compelling copy and scripts for clients worldwide. Despite his natural wanderlust, Devon's heart belongs to the Pacific Northwest. He is captivated by the region's thriving craft spirit scene, world-class wines, and ubiquitous breweries, making life on the "best" coast a delightful experience. Above all, Devon's passion lies in whiskey. In 2023, he played a pivotal role in launching the Rushlight Agency, a boutique marketing firm. In his leisure time, Devon enjoys mastering his Hasselblad medium format 501cm camera, fly fishing, snowshoeing, and embarking on international adventures with his partner and daughter.

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