Balcones Texas Rye 100 Proof

A little funky and smoky for me. But still rich, boozy, spicy, and good.

Saw dust... but in a good way. Gives way to brown sugar and a slight funk. Herbal notes too. Maybe some bread on the end. Big hit of leather after it was suggested.

Not a typical rye, in fact I would probably not pick it out as a rye blind. Almost a single malt scotch in the aroma, dusty. Taste has lingering coffee/espresso notes and pumpernickel bread. Similarities to other Balcones.

Let sit for about 5 minutes. 👀: Light copper color at outset, Sticks to the walls with not many tears; 👃: Pungent rye influence, spicy notes on the nose, Cinnamon Red Hot on the back end, Maple Syrup also; 👅: Very smokey with sweet back end, creamy and thick, oily; 🏁: Sweetness abounds at the finish line, spiciness is not present at all, surprisingly mellow for a rye, not much complexity.

Very tasty

VERY strong aroma consisting of molasses, burnt sugar, caramel, nutmeg, mesquite wood, beef jerky, and tire fire. For a rye, I’ll be damned if I can get any rye spice in the nose. On the palate there’s not much on the front end, basically a little light caramel and then everything goes crazy in the mid-palate; burnt ends, brown sugar, burnt creme brûlée, leather, burnt wood, tobacco, burnt tea leaf...are you sensing a theme here? Super long finish is the best part; hot fudge, vanilla, heavily toasted bread, and cinnamon. Rye is really only present as an underlying heat. Mouthfeel is creamier than the flavor profile would suggest and it’s welcome. This is a weird one. As a rye, it’s an epic fail. As a whiskey? Not half bad. While I like Balcones, they definitely have a “thing” present in nearly every one I have tasted; smokey, burnt sugar flavors. I feel like you definitely only need one Balcones whiskey in your cabinet at once because of the similarities between the varietals. For $40 I can’t say it’s truly overpriced, but just not balanced enough or nuanced enough to get a rebuy out of me.

I had this before being exposed to other better Balcones products, and it nearly turned me off to them altogether. But I persisted, and I am better for it. Don’t quit Balcones. Just quit their rye. It reminded me of bad apples. Spend your hard earned money on other Balcones products.

This might be the most peculiar rye I’ve ever had. The nose reminds me of chocolate covered raisins. On the palate, too much barrel and not enough rye. Worth exploring, would prefer neat or on a rock versus in a cocktail.

Balcones really all tastes mostly the same to me