Whiskey Del Bac, Tucson-based maker of mesquited American single malt whiskeys, announced the promotion of Mark A. Vierthaler to Master Distiller & Blender and Director of Distillery Operations.  

“There was not enough space on the business card for all that Mark does,” Whiskey Del Bac CEO Paul Winandy said in a news release. “So, we settled on Master Distiller/Blender and Director of Distillery Operations. It hardly seems sufficient but reflects his amazing contribution to our award-winning products and all that we do inside our Tucson home.” 

Vierthaler joined Whiskey Del Bac as the head distiller in 2021, where he oversaw daily production of Whiskey Del Bac’s American single malts. Over the past four years, Vierthaler has helped increase the average rating of Whiskey Del Bac’s  single malts to 90+ across all products and developed the 94-point-rated sourced-but-finished Sentinel of The Desert Straight Rye Whiskey.  

“I’m incredibly humbled,” Vierthaler said. “Co-founders Stephen Paul and Amanda Paul have created and fostered a distillery that crafts whiskeys that tell a story of place. To be able to help write this love letter to the Sonoran Desert is one of my greatest honors.”  

In his expanded roles, Vierthaler continues oversight of the distillation and blending operations of the distillery, as well as new product development. He also now oversees the operations of all activities within the distillery in Tucson, including tours, tasting room and events operations. 

“Mark’s palate, his knowledge of all aspects of distilling, his passion for quality and his incredible work ethic have been  key to taking Whiskey Del Bac to another level,” co-founder Stephen Paul said. “His humanity and his understanding of our sense-of-place are critical to our ethos. I’m very proud to be on his team.” 

Read more: Top 100 American Whiskeys of 2024 Ranked

About Whiskey Del Bac 

Whiskey Del Bac, a private family-owned and operated brand, was founded by father-daughter duo Stephen and  Amanda Paul in 2011. Known for a unique mesquited American single malt whiskey, it produces a highly acclaimed  portfolio of whiskeys made in Tucson, Arizona. The distillery exemplifies the desert of the southwest and native flavors of the region, and it is the largest whiskey producer in the Tucson metro region. Learn more at  https://whiskeydelbac.com/.