Balcones Texas Rye 100 Proof

apples and burnt wood chips on the nose, The palate is very sweet with peppercorn spice that fades into the finish that is slightly dry. Not one I have to have in my home bar though.

Nose- rich and dark. At first whiff this gives ethanol, smokehouse, and oak. Taste- It tastes like somebody butted out cigarettes in it! Just an overpowering ashiness to it. It was so strong in this I couldn't find any other flavors except perhaps oak bucket. Finish- the finish gives up some bitter bakers chocolate and imitation vanilla. Overall- I wanted to like this. I wanted to keep an open mind.......but with all of the smokey ash I could not. This was just harsh. A big NO from me.

Sweet body with a spicy note.

Nose : grassy light sweet pine Taste :Fresh wood and grass hits pretty hard up front, then a tangy rye spice with a sweet dusty tobacco and bitter spicy finish. A little too wood/grass foward for my blood but has some interesting depth and notes. Edit: I picked up my glass to pour another and saw a few drops at the bottom. Of course I drink it and tasted a pretty strong chocolate note. So I see where people are getting that on this one.

One of the most unique ryes that I have tasted. I get Unami, coffee, and onion. In a good way.

From a 50 ml sampler so this is not going to be a complete review but more of a provisionary one. I've had a few Balcones expressions and honestly I haven't fallen in love with any of them. They've been okay, but I haven't explored their loftier heights. This is my first experience with their rye. The nose had a lot of typical rye elements but I didn't find it particularly forward or inviting. It was kind of mellow and marked by a bit of ethanol. On the palate this is hot cocoa. Wait, that's not right. This drinks hot. And there's lots of cocoa flavor. Not at all what I was expecting. Enjoyable, young, and a bit hot. I think it could make a pretty darn good Manhattan. I'll have to try. A full bottle is on my buy list.

Nose: Rich toffee, and German chocolate cake, molasses Body: coco beans, herbal spice and tobacco