Balcones Texas Single Malt Whisky
53% ABV
$75
Website
What the Distillery Says
A TIMELESS WHISKY
A timeless style of malt whisky, Balcones “1” Texas Single Malt breathes new life into centuries of distilling tradition with classic techniques and ingredients adapted for New World tastes. Opening aromas bear hints of toffee and overripe fruits. On the palate, layers of toasted malt and honey give way to mellow notes of baked pears and apples. A long finish is accompanied by cinnamon and cloves. Texas made, Texas proud, we hope you enjoy the whisky we owe our success to as much as we enjoy making it.
NOSE: ripe, buttered stone fruit, banana and pears; honey and rose water with delicate citrus accents
TASTE: silky and full on the palate; lightly toasted bread with fresh butter and marmalade
FINISH: long finish with lingering toast and burnt sugar notes morphing into rich malt and wood flavors with counterbalancing acidity
What Gary Says
Nose: Chocolate, caramel, rice pudding, sherry cask, oak with spent matches.
Palate: Bitter chocolates with hazelnut, cracked pepper on smashed and baked green plantains.
Finish: Moderate in length, drying with a bit of pepper notes.
Comments: When I first nosed this, it reminded me a bit of a highland single malt. My brain keeps pulling towards a sherry-cask influence without any fruit, which is different. On the palate; completely different. Aged “at least 22 months”, so quite young and immature – which shows. More interesting than the Baby Blue, but not something I’d seek out – especially at this price point. I will give them props for having 50 mL bottles (which is how I came to try it).