Whiskey Del Bac’s New Limited Expression ‘Normandie’

Whiskey Del Bac recently released “Normandie,” a new limited expression that will be an annual event.

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.

This American single malt is named after the coastal region of Normandie (the French spelling), France, an area known for its cheeses, seafood, and an abundance of apples and pears.

Whiskey Del Bac Normandie (image via Hamilton Distillers)

“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. That includes a total of three limited annual releases, all inspired by European regions.

The first release, Frontera, was finished in Pedro Ximénez Sherry botas 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-mesquite winter release coming this December, is a desert Southwest interpretation of the heavily-peated Islay Scotch whiskies.

A statement from the distiller notes that these expressions will be released at the same time each year moving forward.

Normandie’s Calvados finish on its base of the 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’s 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 they deliver to. Bottles can also be shipped directly to the consumer in Kentucky. Arizona residents can purchase directly from the distillery onsite or online now.

The Normandie is bottled at 48.5% ABV, 97 proof and it has a suggested retail price of $90 per bottle.

Normandie’s distiller’s notes:

• Nose: Caramel-dipped apples, sour cherry, and dulce de leche.
• Palate: Bright citrus, peppery notes across the mid-palate.
• Finish: Short-but-sweet caramel and stone fruit.

For more information on Whiskey Del Bac and Hamilton Distillers, check out www.whiskeydelbac.com.