Balcones “1”
Texas Single Malt Whisky
Pot Distilled
53% ABV
Aged at least 22 months in oak in Waco, Texas
We were recently in Texas, and as much as I have wanted to visit Balcones, this trip was pretty much all work, so I couldn’t swing it. They have a large line of whiskeys (or “whiskies” since they use the “whisky” spelling) and I have been eager to explore them. While we didn’t make it to the distillery, I was able to find a couple of “minis” to try; this one, the Balcones Texas Single Malt Whisky, and the Balcones Texas Pot Still Bourbon.
According to their website, Balcones began distilling in 2009 in what was formerly an old welding shop, initially using stills from Portugal. In 2014 they transformed the Texas Fireproof Storage Co. building, where they had been storing their barrels, into a new distillery with copper pot stills made by Forsyths of Scotland. Balcones whiskey ages in the harsh Texas climate, with its high heat and large temperature swings, which I discussed in this week’s Tuesday Tidbit Instagram post. The whiskies are non-chill filtered.
I’ll be honest here – while I have tasted many bourbons and ryes, my experience with American Single Malt is pretty limited. However, I am, as they say, “eager to learn”. So, I humbly submit to you a bourbon guy’s tasting notes on a single malt:
Color
I don’t usually comment on the color, unless it is out of the ordinary. This one is a fairly dark amber for a 22 month old whisky. I’m assuming that is the Texas climate at work.
Tasting Notes
Let’s taste it:
🛏 Rested for 15 minutes in a Glencairn
👉🏻Nose: Ripe sweet peach, apple, plum & pear; toffee, honey, bread; moderate alcohol
👉🏻Taste: The fruit blends together and is joined by toast & honey
👉🏻Finish: The flavors continue. Wood flavors rise up, but not really an oakiness. There is also black pepper, which continues to increase. Dried apricots also appear late and linger. Fairly long finish.
Summary
So what does this bourbon guy think of the Balcones Texas Single Malt Whisky? I like it! The fruit is what really stands out to me, particularly in the nose, and it blends very nicely with the flavors that arise in the taste and finish. The next time I am in Texas, we will definitely make it to the distillery, and do a write up for BourbonObsessed.com.
Have you had this whisky or another expression from Balcones? What did you think? Cheers!🥃
Want to learn about another Texas Distillery? Check out our 2 minute video virtual tour of Garrison Brothers Distillery in Hye, Texas, or read our full Garrison Brothers Distillery write up on BourbonObsessed.com.
Would you like to learn more about distilleries and bourbon? Are you planning a trip to Kentucky Distilleries? Maybe you would like to live the bourbon life vicariously through us?🙂 If any of these are true, then check out BourbonObsessed.com today!
