Tastes

*I was provided samples of this, so I may come back and edit after purchase. This is my initial rating.* Nose: Lemony citrus, some caramel/brown sugar, and spice but more towards black pepper than cinnamon. Taste: Initial vanilla and then the lemon/citrus notes, but sweeter like candy or lemon bars. The black pepper becomes more prevalent on the back end with a slight mint note. Finish: smooth and coats the tongue nicely, does not drink like its 112.2 proof. The pepper lingers yet again along with some nice oak notes. Overall much different than I was expecting, and look forward to more of this.

Up front on the Nose I do get some heavy vanilla/creamy notes, as well as some caramel, citrus peel, and the smallest hint of leather/oak. The taste has a surprising sweetness for me that I was not expecting from this mix of Ryes. Oak definitely comes through more here, with a slightly oily mouthfeel, but does not quite coat the tongue heavily. Hints of sweet raisins and stone fruit I pick up more towards the back half and tinge of maybe burnt brown sugar. The finish is pretty fair, not too long but just enough to remind you its there and a bit dry. Some small dark chocolate and those sweet raisins continue here. I did not pick up too much from the Cognac finish on my first few pours, perhaps with time it will come through more. The rye spice is ever present throughout and the proof at 98.6 does not really give off too much heat at all for me.

Sweet and Rich on the nose; Maple syrup, caramel and definitely heavy corn notes. Palate is oily, with notes of vanilla, burnt brown sugar, some stone fruit, and allspice rounding it out. The finish is where the proof actually comes through. The burn lingers for a bit and with it notes of heavy cinnamon spice and light vanilla. Ice definitely dulls the proof a bit and opens up more fruity notes but does not take away from the overall taste. Balcones is a favorite distillery of mine and this one does not disappoint!