Balcones Texas Pot Still Bourbon

The alcohol is forward and the flavor takes a back seat and seems compressed like it can’t break free. This is the complete opposite of what Balcones usually delivers. The corn flavor is soft and pleasant but too muted. Vanilla is also on the pallet. The finish floors the trend like it’s trying but just seems to run out of gas.

managed to scoop this up for 20$ a bottle and at that price this is a complete steal. great smooth finish. nice funky notes similar to that of jamacian pot still rums or peated scotchs. IF you want a solid pot still this punches in above willet pot still quite a bit. might have to add this to the daily drinker list

Not much of a nose to speak of. Subtle sweetness. A quick short-lived burn. Warm grains. For the money I’d go with Dickel BIB or Forrester 100 proof

Loving how different this is from your standard bourbon. Got a char and sweetness that works well together.

So first a disclaimer: after having reviewed multiple Balcones expressions, I feel there is a sameness between them that is higher than other distilleries. So I apologize in advance if this has similarities with some of my other Balcones reviews. Strong nose nose of burnt caramel, molasses, vanilla bean, charred mesquite, and smoked applesauce. Some pesky ethanol requires one to back off the glass a bit. I have to admit it is inviting, with more sweetness and less savory notes than found in other Balcones expressions. On the palate we have BROWN SUGAR. I mean loads of it. Some maple and cake icing as well. In the mid palate, the smokey fruit from the nose presents as more of a smoked peach, but it is hard to get past the brown sugar wallop. Finish is where the wood presence is felt (always coming off to me as more mesquite than oak), along with burnt toast, cinnamon, camphor, and liquid hot fudge. Mouthfeel is slick and oily. As you read the above you may think “sounds pretty delicious!” but this just doesn’t come together all that well; it’s like the whole is weaker than the sum of its parts. Don’t get me wrong, it’s far from terrible, and if you are a Balcones fan there is no reason not to give it a whirl. At a bargain price of $30, it’s hard to feel ripped off, but ultimately not something I’m going to seek out again.