Empirical x Doritos Nacho Cheese Vacuum Distilled Spirit
Empirical x Doritos Nacho Cheese Vacuum Distilled Spirit is exactly what it sounds like: a 42% ABV (84 proof) limited-edition spirit from Empirical — the flavor company founded in 2017 by Lars Williams and Mark Emil Hermansen, former heads of the Noma fermentation lab — made with real Doritos Nacho Cheese chips. Announced December 2023 (pre-orders from December 13, RRP $65), it sold in select New York and California markets and comes in a gift box. It's available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.
- ABV: 42% (84 proof)
- Size: 750mL; gift box included
- Production: pilsner-malt + Belgian saison-yeast base, macerated with real Doritos, low-temperature vacuum distilled
- Release: December 2023, limited edition (select NY/CA markets)
- Category: intentionally uncategorized — not a whiskey, vodka, or gin (brand's own positioning)
- Official notes: umami/tangy nacho cheese, corn tostada, hint of acidity
The Most Talked-About Bottle of 2023
The story, per the brand: a team member tossed a bag of Doritos into the still during early R&D — and, in Lars Williams' words, "we were drinking Doritos." The method is serious even if the premise is playful: a malted-barley base fermented with Belgian saison yeast is macerated with actual Nacho Cheese chips, then extracted through Empirical's low-temperature vacuum distillation, which runs cooler than traditional stills to preserve the chip's "full spectrum" of flavor. Forbes, USA Today, The Today Show, and Late Night with Seth Meyers all covered it. Find it alongside the rest of the experimental lineup from Empirical and browse canned and ready-to-drink cocktails for more conversation pieces.
Tasting Notes
The brand's official notes describe an opening of umami and tangy nacho-cheese aromas, moving to the deeper, corn-forward flavors of the chip, finishing on a soft salty note. The palate: nacho cheese, corn tostada, umami, and a hint of acidity. No sugar added; not suitable for vegans.
How to Enjoy
The brand's own serves are the Margarita, the Bloody Mary, and the Old Fashioned — the umami-salt profile is built for cocktails — or neat/over ice if you're feeling brave. Try it in a Bloody Mary first: the nacho-cheese salinity does the work of the salt rim.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this really made with Doritos?
Yes — the base spirit is macerated with real Doritos Nacho Cheese chips, then vacuum distilled at low temperature.
What kind of spirit is it — vodka? gin?
Neither — Empirical intentionally leaves it uncategorized; it doesn't claim whiskey, vodka, or gin.
Is it still available?
It was a limited December 2023 release for select NY/CA markets, RRP $65 — stock is finite.
What does it taste like?
Official notes: umami and tangy nacho cheese up front, corn-forward chip flavors, soft salty finish.
For the boldest bottle on the shelf, order Empirical x Doritos Nacho Cheese Spirit online from Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.