Balcones FR. OAK Texas Single Malt

15th Anniversary Edition 60% ABV $150

This only the 2nd 5-star rating that I've ever given, the other ironically going to another Texas whiskey (Garrison Cowboy). This is one of my favorite whiskies of all time, and every time I go back to it I fall in love with it all over again. It's bold and brash, while also being subtle and sweet, with flavors which attack your palate at first and then gently linger on forever. The one note that hooks me the most is a flavor that I get from a lot of French Oak aged/finished whiskey, and that is a very subtle "creamsicle" (orange-vanilla) on the mid palate which takes just enough off the otherwise rough edges to created an absolutely perfect balance of brawn & beauty. This is one of the finest whiskies ever made IMHO, you need to grab it if you ever happen to stumble upon it.

Continuing on my Balcones tour, next up was going to be their Brimstone, but the sample seems to have vanished. After asking my wife and daughter and digging throughout the house, I’ve accepted it was either a hide and seek game gone wrong or Santa’s off season dry run where he fuels up with booze instead of cookies. Either way, it’s missing and instead of it, I’ll be moving on to the French Oak single malt sample that was generously provided by @jonwilkinson7309. The nose starts with toasted cinnamon raisin bread slathered in melted butter then come fruits of cherries jubilee, candied orange peel, figgy pudding that slowly transitions to spices of cinnamon, cloves, earl grey tea, leather and antique polished oak with a high ethanol burn. The taste is a medium mouthfeel starting with brioche bread, then fruits of raisins, orange zest, peach cobbler followed by cacao nibs, toasted walnuts, leather and tannic oak with high ethanol burn that finishes medium length with dark chocolate, espresso, candied cherries, orange zest, bit-o-honey candy, figgy pudding, leather and tannic oak. Yet another tasty whiskey from Balcones that brings in those big bold flavors, but the tannic oak and high alcohol dominate the palate making identifying flavors harder before fading into a mild tannic finish with those coffee, dark chocolate, and dark fruit notes. This isn’t as tannic of a finish as the True Blue cask strength, but not as balanced as the Blue Corn bourbon putting this right in the middle ground between the two.

Nose - rich caramel, raisin, fig, dark chocolate, brown butter, cinnamon toast, apple, grilled peach, nutmeg, clove, rich oak, vanilla, black pepper, ash, leather, tobacco, cherry, moderate to high ethanol burn. Taste - raisin toast, apple, dark chocolate, coffee, rich salted caramel, cinnamon, allspice, molasses, maple, graham cracker, nutmeg, clove, spicy oak, vanilla bean, toasted marshmallow, black cherry, black pepper, tobacco, leather, moderate to high alcohol bite, finishing long with rich caramel, tannic oak, dark chocolate, and strong baking spice flavors. Based on the week I’ve had with Balcones, it should come as no surprise that this French Oak offering is another winner. The aromas and flavors are cranked to eleven, as you’d expect with Balcones. The caramel, dark chocolate, and baking spice notes are extremely rich and balanced nicely by sweet dark fruit flavors. The finish lingers for what seems like minutes, allowing ample time to reflect on the experience between sips. It’s crazy that this amount of richness can exist in a spirit aged fewer than two years, but I’m no longer surprised by this in Texas whiskies. Unfortunately, the French Oak doesn’t appear to be widely available. I can’t find a retail price for this, but I’m assuming it’s at or above the $100 mark. I won’t be searching this out to add to my collection, but it’s delicious and absolutely worth trying if you can find it. Luckily I didn’t have to, as @jonwilkinson7309 very generously provided this sample for me to review.

Too hot for me and continues to have that noticeable Balcones peanut brittle taste, more subtle, but still there.

Well, it’s a Saturday evening and me and the Mrs. are settling in watching The Crown (hooked). With a biting chill outside and a warming fire in, I pulled this from the sample collection. Perfectly suited for the atmosphere I believe this one should be, courtesy of Mr. Pranay (of course). A rich, dark amber-copper liquid colors contrast the clear copita glass. Take dates, figs, raisins, oranges, apples and blend them together. Add cinnamon and vanilla and stew the in an oaken pot. As it blends, steeps and melds, add milk chocolate shavings and Brioche bread to add sweetness, maltiness and yeastiness. This constitutes the full and broad nose. The arrival is hot and spicy and takes another sip or two to acclimate and taste the flavors. The flavors are dense and thick of but hard to discern. Dark chocolate (think 95% cocoa), dark coffee, dark fruits, cinnamon, cloves, cracked black pepper with oak tannins swimming freely about. Two tablespoons of water softens the brashness on the palate. That sweeter side is brought forward and the spice is pushed back while retaining the cinnamon and nutmeg; unchanged. Fruits are a bit more vibrant and a hint of grape and black cherry appears while retaining all the drying oak tannins. A long and extremely drying finish with remnants of currents and chocolate and cinnamon and oaken charcoal, almost ashy. A Texan palate punch. A rich aroma and a rich palate packed with a strong foundation. Big and bold. If this finds your way, find, be sure to allocate time as this needs time; time to open, time to explore and time to enjoy. With the addition of water, the dram becomes approachable while retaining it’s character. But I find without water, the boldness is an enjoyable unbridled, muscular dram. Find your perfect pour since you can create it to your liking managing the proper amount of water. Thank you @PBMichiganWolverine for providing me this generous sample (as always). [90/100][Tasted: 1/8/21]