Tastes

Some people knock blends but as long as the quality is there I don't mind. A shade of toasty tawny and yellow gold. The savory butter smells grabs the immediate attention. The blend carries unique elements. Layers of oak, sharp anise, soft smoky oak and toasted orange. Subtle flavors butterscotch, cinnamon heat, licorice, earthy, nutty finish. Medium sweetness and matching finish but lingers with licorice unpleasantly. Overall still a good scotch blend.

To preface, I enjoy Balcones but the pot still left some development behind. The scent is quintessential bourbon. Some scattered notes of baking spices, sweet caramel, raisins, spicy pepper, toffee, and rich browned butter. The taste punches you in the face with alcohol forward. Mind you, water was sparingly added, but the taste falters. A wave of clove, anise, cinnamon floods in followed by a short finish and lack of oily lasting pot still. The flavor profile has the bourbon notes and nuances but 2 years of aging won't cut it and the taste shows. Use this as a mixer and nothing more.

I didn't know what to expect. Typically I like Jura so decided to experiment. Medium bronze color with copper rim. A few pieces of oak barrel in the pour. The scent hits first with alcohol, butter notes, faint vanilla, dried citrus rind, sweet caramel and toffee. The scent of 40% needs some time to breath with a dash of water. The taste is no finesse. Very rugged with toasted allspice, nuttiness, clove finish with menthol aftertaste. The finish is solid but I feel it could've been more. This bottle could serve as a good mixer for a cocktail (Manhattan) or use to marinate meat.

In a night where I didn't feel the bourbon hit the taste I was looking for. I cracked the 8 open and was met with notes of floral sweet caramel, hearty clove, earthy cinnamon, alcohol, oak, and fragrant vanilla. Wow, the spice punches you in the face but let's you down lightly. Boom, allspice, pow, tree bark, bang, menthol. The profile on taste is a stark dichotomy of flavors. But I love it. The taste plays on a spicy flavorful Rye slow dancing with a baking spice forward bourbon on a fall brisk night. This is a sipper to enjoy in holidays with family or a good long conversation with friends. I would add smoke for another layer if depth. A moderate finish for a good cabinet staple.

A unique bourbon that stands on its own away from the crowd of other bourbons. The smells give a long pause but not in a bad way. A lot of earthy notes. Hints of powerful clove, freshly ground allspice, butter, new paint, and strong alcohol. The herb scents arrive later with fresh tarragon, oregano, mint and aromatic licorice. The flavor is spicy initially and tempers off leaving immediate flavors of smoke, oak, pepper and medicinal notes. I wish the heat lasted longer but a touch of caramel and menthol. A tingly mouthful and good finish. This would be a good bourbon to share with friends and family.

Rich golden brown color and nice malty treat. On the nose I smell caramel, butterscotch, and the ocean. I get touches of butter, white pepper, gravel, and light honey. The heat is warm cinnamon as it coats your mouth but alcohol forward which is odd for a 14. A lingering heat, with maple and tarragon in the finish. Slightly oily and if the finish was longer I would rate it higher. But damn good whiskey that I'm glad I finally got around to.

A rich amber, goldish color. The color is becoming of the brand name. The scent of caramel, corn, flat peppercorn, sweetness,. Cloudy taste of smoke, cinnamon, heat, dry clove, and chalk. The sweetness doesn't come through a lot in the taste as it does in the smell. The alcohol is medium strength but briefly fades away. A bit oily and coating finish. Solid bourbon but needs some refining.

The smells of ripe cherry, over ripe banana, oak, vanilla, sweet toffee and touch of wax. The taste reminds one of a strong Coke Cola matched with rich chocolate but not too sweet. Great taste but I wish the finish was longer. Get a bottle and will happily go back.