There’s something about a good dive bar that never leaves you. The creak of an old barstool. The soft thud of a dart hitting cork. The low-hum comfort of cash-only transactions and questionable jukebox choices. It’s a world that smells of cigarettes, memory, and the last good pour of the night.
Enter Darts … the latest release from Dallas-based Lasso Motel Whiskey … and easily one of the most impressive blends we’ve sipped this year.
Welcome to the Darts Era
Lasso Motel Whiskey’s Darts Cigarette Blend doesn’t just nod to the nostalgia of smoky backroom bars … it leans all the way in, with an elegance that keeps it from being kitsch. Aged and blended with finesse, this 100-proof bottle is finished in an impressive trio of Armagnac, Sherry, and Cognac casks, creating a whiskey that doesn’t apologize for being loud, warm, and a little rough around the edges. And we mean that in the best way.
Founder Devin Odell, also the President of Dynasty Spirits, clearly understands the space between a good memory and a good pour. Inspired by the rock-and-roll bones of the shuttered Belmont Hotel in Dallas, Lasso Motel is carving a name for itself with globally finished whiskeys that balance complexity with swagger.
“Darts is the kind of whiskey that feels lived-in … something you’d sip in a dimly lit bar, maybe after a few rounds of pool, lost in conversation,” says Odell.
We couldn’t agree more.
“Darts” by Lasso Motel Whiskey
- Nose: The first inhale is like opening an old leather-bound book in a smoke-filled lounge. Layers of toffee, tobacco, and dried apricots rise up with a whisper of vanilla and worn leather.
- Palate: This is where Darts really earns its stripes. Rich, sticky toffee coats the mouth before giving way to a medley of fig, prune, and apricot. There’s a warming spice mid-palate, with hints of almond and smoke dancing on the finish.
- Finish: Long, smooth, and just a little dangerous. Like lighting a cigarette you don’t plan on finishing, just to hold the moment a little longer.
- Overall Vibe: Bold without being brash. Nostalgic without being tired. A dive-bar slow dance with high-end moves.
At $69.99, Darts hits a rare sweet spot between craft complexity and drinkable bravado. It’s one of those bottles you might accidentally finish too soon, and then immediately order again. Currently available in select markets including Texas, California, and New York, you can also snag a bottle nationwide via Seelbach’s.
Whether you’re posting up at your favorite low-lit bar or recreating the vibe at home, Darts is the kind of whiskey that pairs best with late-night playlists, good company, and no particular place to be.
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