Hamilton Distillers
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Distillery |
| Founded | 2006 |
| Founder | Stephen Paul |
| Headquarters | Tucson , United States |
| Products | Single Malt Whiskey (Del Bac varieties) |
Hamilton Distillers, Inc. is a privately held, family-operated distillery established by Stephen Paul in 2006 and based in Tucson, Arizona. The enterprise crafts and sells three distinct Single Malt Whiskey Del Bac varieties. Situated in west Tucson, their distillery holds the distinction of being the first craft distillery launched in Southern Arizona since the end of prohibition, as well as the largest whiskey producer within the Tucson metropolitan region.
History
The idea for Hamilton Distillers originated in 2006 through the collaboration of Stephen Paul and his daughter, Amanda Paul. During the mid-1980s, the Paul family founded Arroyo Design, a boutique furniture business. Hamilton Distillers emerged from their experience working with mesquite, with the goal of harnessing the distinctive taste imparted by this iconic Sonoran Desert tree. The initial trio of Hamilton Whiskey offerings bears the name Del Bac, inspired by the nearby Spanish Colonial Mission San Xavier del Bac, which was established in 1692 by Padre Eusebio Kino. In 2015, Playboy magazine honored Hamilton Distillers as Arizona's premier spirit producer.
Since inception, Paul has served as Master Distiller, joined by Nathan Thompson-Avolino in this role starting in 2013.
Distillation and aging
Del Bac is crafted as a single malt whiskey matured in charred new American oak barrels. Diverging from traditional peated Scotch methods, its malt is smoked over mesquite wood rather than peat, reflecting its roots in the Sonoran Desert environment.
Packaging
The bottles are filled by hand and feature labels personally signed by the distiller. Volunteers carry out the bottling process and receive a complimentary bottle of Whiskey Del Bac as a token of appreciation. Information about volunteer opportunities is available on Whiskey Del Bac’s official website. The bottle’s label is produced using hand letterpress techniques on a Chandler & Price press, embellished with gold foil and showcasing a 19th-century engraving of a giant saguaro cactus.
Products
- Whiskey Del Bac Old Pueblo
- Whiskey Del Bac Classic
- Whiskey Del Bac Dorado