Balcones Pilgrimage

When served neat, this 130 proof is HOT! While still giving off strong notes of apple and earth on the nose and peach balck tea on the tongue, specifically the kind you would drink out of a mason jar on your grandmother’s porch. However, when served on ice with some time to breathe, it really opens up. Notes of apple and stone fruits accompany earthy tannin flavors, reminiscent of leather and the aforementioned tea leaves, as well as a subtle smoked peach note, which any good Texan should be able to identify. At 65%, this is not the kind of bottle you sip neat, unless you can handle some heat. But put it on the rocks beside a crackling bonfire, or on a back porch on a hot summer day, and nothing can beat this wonderful “half-peated” single malt. I got mine on release from the Balcones distillery and will continue to bring it out every hot southern afternoon I get the chance to.

I am known here as a Balcones fanboy and I'm good with that. This is yet another monster malt from the Waco distiller. If you like Lineage (who doesn't) this is an amped up more mature version. Nose is pungent with boisterous apricot and nectarine followed by heavy malt, aged cheese, leather and barrel tannins. Has some funk only seasoned drinkers will appreciate. Palate delivers wallop of ripe apricots and dense malt alongside scrumptious cheese danish with dusty old library books and toasted oak circling the perimeter. The flavor saturation is off the charts providing a rich powerful experience. Finish is lasting with the fruits, malt and cream cheese funk carrying to a fade of dry oak for balance. The dessert casks provide an additional layer of sweetness and depth that is noticeable. It's a heavyweight in the realm of Balcones Peated. These are imo the best American single malts in existence. Potent rich complex and magnificent. I realize this one is a unicorn at this point but trust me you want it .......92/100

Peach out the wazoo on the nose along with a hint of banana. Malty softness defines it. The palate is even more peach cobbler with vanilla ice cream. It’s rich, viscous, and candy sweet. I would love this after a hearty steak dinner.