Balcones Texas Pot Still Bourbon

Definitely tastes young, a little astringent

N: First hit is that Balcones signature pecan pie note. Peanut butter, ripe orchard fruit, sweet corn, wood varnish, hint of barrel char, hint of menthol, and strangely both subtle and pervasive ethanol. Also some caramel and vanilla. P: Sweet, light, fruity. Caramel, vanilla, pecan pie, and a medley of milk chocolate covered orchard fruit and berries (but neither of which quite rises to notes that can be picked out as specific fruits or berries). Just the beginning of that heady vanilla frosting note that can be so strong in Balcones higher proof bottles. Cinnamon dusted fruit carries the mid-palate to the finish. Finish turns the fruit toward sour with baking spices and a touch of oak heat and bitterness. Finally, some herbal notes with mint close it out. This is a super solid and tasty entry-level bourbon. It lacks some definition, particularly in the middle, but it's still gotta be up there with the best you can get for sub-$25. And it's got a profile all its own in that price range. It really is not a traditional bourbon, which makes it a little hard to compare this to something like the entry-level versions of Elijah Craig, Maker's Mark, Wild Turkey or even the Knob Creek 9 Year. Those are classic tastes that are all kind of a variation on a single theme where this feels like a different theme in terms of flavor. It makes a nice change, but it's not going to replace any of those in the rotation. This is a nice, easy weeknight sipper. Easy to recommend and likely to be repeated. _______ Please come join a bunch of regular Distiller reviewers are chatting spirits in real time on Discord: https://discord.gg/4nfePCdyKM. (If the link is expired, post a comment and I will post a new one.)

Nose: Sandalwood, cedarwood, brown sugar and sweat. Milder trace aromas of vanilla, cherries and popcorn. An unusual nose for a bourbon, but an attractive one for scotch drinkers. Palate: Sweet and full arrival (almost honey sweet) with a little heat. The fast-arriving development brings ginger spice that morphs into mild hot cinnamon towards the finish. There is an underlying buttery note that plays off against oak tannin to good effect. Finish: Medium. Turns a little bitter and sour in the aftertaste. A teaspoon of water brings out dusty corn and petrichor on the nose, which is pleasant, but it does not aid the palate at all. Dilution immediately robs the mouth-feel of heft, leaving it watery and limp but with the bitter spices still intact. Water is consequently not recommended, but maybe it would work with cola. Not a particularly complex whisky but not unpleasant either – however nothing stands out as noteworthy. I think its main strength would be as a mixer. Don’t expect a “classic“ bourbon profile because this has a lot of scotch personality, particularly in the nose. Is that from being pot-distilled? No – it’s just the profile the distillers decided to make. I’m guessing the mashbill is generous with the barley (that's where all the hot ginger is coming from, but it is not well contained). The spirit’s youth is unmistakable. Long maturation has issues in the Texas climate but a couple of years more in big casks might have produced an elegant whiskey. Overall it was OK but I won’t be replacing this bottle – for the same money I can buy much better whiskies. “Average” : 79/100 (2.75 stars)

Baked apple pie, cinnamon, texas heat white oak. Then traditional pot still copper scent. I own five different Balcones, think all are great. These are not mild whiskeys with a distinct scent and flavor. Try one see if it is your cup of tea. Texas heat gives whiskey a special flavor, if you like bourbon or single malt that has bold unique flavors then please try Balcones. This is one of my everyday drinkers. At $35 dollars I think it’s a must buy.

Smells kind of like scotch. Char taste. Herbaceous. Maybe some vanilla. Not made better with water. Leather overpowers. Meh.