Balcones Texas Blue Corn Bourbon

Toasted caramel, vanilla, cornbread baked over a mesquite fire, fresh ground coffee beans, dark chocolate. It's got a salty and savory element that gives another layer of complexity. The finish goes on and on and has a lot of similarity to other Balcones whiskies. I even get a hint of the peach note that I taste especially in the Lineage, although more grilled peach than peach gummy ring. I've been running it up against some of the other barrel proof bourbons in the cabinet, and I believe this can competently keep company with other heavyweights like Stagg Jr., JDSiBBP, Elijah Craig BP, and even Garrison Brothers Cowboy. You could say this a poor man's Cowboy. I will note that right out of the bottle this was pretty hot even on the nose, but a splash of water and 15 minutes to rest did this one wonders. I am curious about the age statement on this one, as it appears to show aged at least 77 months, which seems exceptionally long for Balcones. I noticed someone else said 27 months, so I wonder if there was a misprint on my bottle. Regardless, this stuff is fabulous and I would like to find a backup for this one. Update: I did find a backup bottle which had the same batch number and date, and it was marked as aged 37 months, so I believe the first bottle was just mismarked.

This thing is loud and hot. Had the bottle open 6 months and still it’s punchy. One of the thickest and oiliest bourbons I’ve had N: distinct balcones crème brûlée or peanut brittle, nuttiness P: even proofed down with water alcohol hits first, some dark chocolate and corn, some of the Texas dustiness F: alcohol, dry oak, grilled fruit Nice flavors, super dark but so hot, not often you say some some 130 proof drinks over proof but this one does

This is a thing of beauty! Get nice rich caramel corn smells right off the bat on the nose. There is some vanilla in there as well and a surprisingly little amount of alcohol given the proof. On the palate the corn notes continue in the vein of cornbread at the front. Towards the middle and back of the palate there is some oak spice that begins to come through. The alcohol finally makes an appearance on the finish with a nice warm Texas(?) hug that is long and pleasant.

Caramel vanilla wood nose. Very nice savory corn character on the midpalate. Toasty dusty oak. Wood spice reminiscent of chai. Nice long finish from the high proof.