Empirical creates Doritos-flavoured spirit

Danish distiller Empirical has created a spirit flavoured with Doritos Nacho Cheese tortilla chips.

Named Empirical x Doritos Nacho Cheese Spirit, Empirical made the resulting liquid using real Doritos, extracted through the brand’s vacuum distillation process which, unlike traditional distillation methods, operates at lower temperatures to bring out the ‘full spectrum’ of the chip’s flavour.

The distiller is known for its unconventional approach to spirits, which ‘use alcohol as a vessel for experimentation’. Co-founders Lars Williams and Mark Emil Hermansen are alumni of three-Michelin-starred Noma restaurant in Copenhagen.

Williams said: “Empirical is an ‘uncategorised’ spirits company, so it allows us the freedom to experiment with really interesting flavours and not have to be stuck in a gin box or Tequila box or whisky box.

“We can take something that has a unique and amazing flavour, like Doritos, and evolve it into something completely new.”

Bottled at 42% ABV, the spirit is said to smell and taste ‘just like the real thing’, offering the chip’s profile of nacho cheese, corn tostada, umami and a hint of acidity, plus a soft salty note to finish.

The spirit will go on sale next month for a RRP of $65 (£52) in select New York and California markets. Pre-orders can already be made on the Empirical website.

Tina Mahal, senior vice president of marketing for Frito-Lay North America, added: “Doritos is all about disrupting culture and bringing our fans unexpected, bold experiences.

“We’re always pushing our fans to try new things, so we figure it’s time we disrupt the spirits category by offering our iconic nacho cheese flavour in a bottle.”

Previously based in Copenhagen, Empirical opened a new distillery in New York over the summer. Lars Williams is originally from the city and said the move offers a “limitless number of connection points for building a robust network and community for Empirical”.