Balcones Texas Rye
Pot Distilled 100% Rye Whiskey
50% ABV
$40 – $50
Website
What the Distillery Says
We wanted to work with a style we love while bringing some new subtlety and perspective to our approach. Our 100% rye mashbill began with Elbon Rye from northwest Texas accompanied by some Crystal, Chocolate & roasted rye that give us a rich, sweet mid-palate.
NOSE: Soft charred oak, black tea and cracked pepper open up to fruit and chocolate covered cherries
TASTE: Creamy buttery toffee, building to peppery spice notes with hints of coffee and nuts
FINISH: Palate fades into dark chocolate and peanut butter, which builds on the moderately lengthy finish
What Gary Says
Nose: Malted rye, young, herbal funk, milk chocolate, hints of plums, ginger, and tangerines.
Palate: Thick mouthfeel, cocoa, light citrus fruit, cinnamon and pepper with a bit of ginger.
Finish: Short, drying with oak and cocoa.
Comments: Rye is one of the few whiskies I find tolerable around 2 yrs, so the 15 month age statement didn’t scare me off. Texas heat is going to definitely change how the spirit ages (12 months in Texas is quite different than 12 months in Kentucky), but . . . there’s just something that time does to the spirit in the cask. This comes across as young, and has this funky note that I often simply associate as ‘craft’. Not sure what size barrel this was aged in, but tastes like a small cask to me. For the price point, there are a lot of rye whiskies I’d prefer over this. I am happy that they offer this in 50 mL bottles (which is how I tried it), and I’d definitely recommend that route if you’re so inclined.