Balcones Pot Still Texas Straight Bourbon Review & Tasting Notes

 

Texas whiskey is polarizing. I could go into why people love it or hate it, but their opinions are just those. I used to be in the hate-it camp, but as I’ve continued to #DrinkCurious, I’ve found some true gems.

 

“In 2008, Balcones was nothing more than an idea driven by a passion to create something original and authentic, right here in the Heart of Texas. It all started in an old welding shop under a bridge in Waco. For the next year, we replaced the roofing, knocked out walls, laid brick, cut pipes, installed copper pot stills from Portugal, and shoehorned a whisky distillery inside that quaint building. Proud of what we had accomplished on our own, we began distilling in 2009.” – Balcones Distilling

 

Balcones has a broader portfolio than you’d imagine. It has a Baby Blue Corn Whiskey, two Single Malts, a Bourbon, a Rye, and a few proprietary whiskeys in its core line-up. Beyond that, the distillery has its annual releases, including a Rum, a wheated Bourbon, and cask strength whiskeys. Then there are their “special” releases; some are one-offs, others that aren’t.

 

I’ve tried several releases from Balcones, and they’ve been hit or miss. One of the worst whiskeys I’ve ever had came from Balcones. And, I’ve had some damned fine Single Malts from this distillery.

 

Balcones Pot Still Texas Straight Bourbon comes from a mash of blue corn, Texas wheat, Texas rye, and malted barley run through a copper pot still. The percentages of each ingredient are undisclosed. The new make was aged at least 24 months in new, charred oak, but the barrel size is not publicized. This Bourbon is non-chill filtered and packaged at 92°. A 750ml bottle runs about $33.00 and should be reasonably easy to find on the shelf.

 

I picked up a 50ml taster at a random liquor store. Now, let’s explore what’s inside it.

 

Appearance: Poured neat in my Glencairn glass, this Pot Still Bourbon was the color of ruby amber. A thick rim formed but couldn’t hold onto the wavy legs that crashed back into the pool.

 

Nose: My initial smell provided an aroma of dehydrated apple and grass. It revealed musty corn, raisin, and brown sugar with further effort. As I drew the air through my lips, an explosion of caramel filled my mouth.

 

Palate:  The texture was, well, different. It had an airy texture but carried a medium weight. The tip of my tongue quickly discerned cocoa powder, hazelnuts, and coffee. As the liquid worked its way back, the next stage featured cinnamon spice and dry straw, then leather, corn, and wood.  

 

Finish:  The flavors of corn, barrel char, cocoa powder, nutmeg, and rye spice provided a medium-to-long finish.

 

Bottle, Bar, or Bust: Texas whiskeys are known for being “hot.” Balcones Pot Still Bourbon isn’t. There’s some heat, but it muted more than many of its brethren that I’ve tried. I’m unsold on the wood notes. It was what I’d imagine reclaimed ancient barn wood would taste like. The remainder mainly seemed balanced. The investment isn't bad for $33 or so, but I still wouldn’t give this a higher rating than a Bar. Cheers!

 

My Simple, Easy-to-Understand Rating System

·      Bottle = Buy It

·      Bar = Try It

·      Bust = Leave It

 

Whiskeyfellow encourages you to enjoy your whiskey as you see fit but begs you to do so responsibly.