Whiskey Del Bac Frontera landed on my desk at 48.5% ABV, carrying a $90. Theres a harshness to the nose, despite the average proof price tag. Here is what I found.
Nose
Theres a harshness to the nose, despite the average proof. Past the astringency of the burn, I can find stewed tea leaves and desert flowers. Its smokey, with a leathery quality rather than the maritime smoke of peated whiskey. Despite the nose, the whiskey is smooth on the tongue. Theres still a smokey, leathery quality, but its mellowed by the vinous taste of sherry. The sherry taste leans more toward wine than raisin. It blooms into notes of apricot, carried by an oily mouthfeel with hints of citrus. The finish has a slightly harsh bitterness to it, with the smoke taking on an almost tarry quality.
Palate
I didnt love this whiskey, but at the same time I strongly recommend it. It has a different quality, which I credit to the desert aging. Theres a certain immaturity to the taste, as though the faster aging has made its flavors more extreme against a less complex body. Its not what Im used to, but it has a distinctive and evocative character. Its harsh, but in its harshness Im reminded of a summer drive through the desert. Shrub and desert flowers are in the air, while the sun burns out the scents of asphalt and leather seats.rnrnIts a new style of whiskey for a new region, and I see it as a solid introduction into the Sonoran style. I didnt love it, but I can see the weather and the mood where this would be exactly the whiskey Id want.
Finish
Editor’s Note: This whiskey was either bought as a sample by Whiskeyful 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.
The Bottom Line
Whiskey Del Bac Frontera is fine — not bad, not great, just fine. At $90. Theres a harshness to the nose, despite the average proof, I think there are better options in this range if you are willing to look around.
