Balcones Texas Single Malt Single Barrel

Ill say quite easily that these picks are the best american single malts ever created. Probably top five american whiskies ive ever had period. These are truly special and show the peak of what american single malts can be and how they differentiate from scotch.

Total Wine store pick. 65.3% ABV Oh wow, this nose is great with brown sugar, vanilla cream, stone fruit, fig, tobacco, leather, oak, smoke sausage, and caramel. Ethanol is noticeable, but it IS 130+ proof after all, so slightly lower than expected given that. Palate offers rich caramel, vanilla, marshmallow, pancake batter, a hint of maple, date, molasses, raisin, nougat, smoke, and cinnamon sugar. Wildly decadent. Finish is ridiculously long and complex with notes of creme brûlée, caramelized sugar, dark chocolate, flan, plum wine, charcoal, nutmeg, pomegranate, and date supported by an undertone of black pepper and toasted wood providing welcome balance. Mouthfeel is full bodied and oily, but with a hint of effervescence/airiness that really accentuates things. Thank goodness, because a sandpaper/graininess here might have really spoiled things. Very intense and challenging and not for the faint of heart but those willing to brave it are rewarded with something truly exceptional. Not something I would reach for every day; more like a “have to be in the mood” whiskey but it’s an experience. Loads of sweetness, spice, and heat here but it all integrates very well. At $104, it is pricey but in no way out of whack given the quality and uniqueness of the experience. Definite rebuy status.

Single Barrel #2761 60.3% Aged in new American oak and finished in Balcones Peat cask

Bought a 2019 bottle. This thing is a beast, capital B. 62 abv, the nose overwhelms your brain with strong oak, baking spices, and dark fruits. It provides a lot of sweetness as well. The first sip bites you with heat, but then the oily character takes over and it provides a long finish. Notes of caramel, maple syrup, molases, baking spices, vanilla, cinnamon, and clove. It’s like maple syrup on top of a delicate pancake with spices. Amazing bottle, specially given its $80 price. The finish stays with you for minutes. You could keep enjoying one dram for hours, just amazing.

Malted barley, sawdust, honey, caramel, and raisin on the nose. A drop of water brought out haybales, corn, grass and a subtle peachiness. ‘Merica! Palate is brown raisin bread, summer fruit, tangy salted nuts, molasses, leather, and oak. There’s a shifting baseline of sweet and savory that’s not easy to pin down. Oregano and caramel, cinnamon and cocoa, rosemary and brown sugar swirling around. Long spicy savory finish. A great entry in the evolving USA whiskey category that deserves to be compared with stand-outs from St George and Redwood Empire and High West and Barrell and Cedar Ridge.

raisins and dr pepper….and pepper

French oak finished 64% abv. Wow. Stunning. Cherry cola, barbeque sauce, pepper. Rich and oily

Nose: caramel, wood, Taste: oaky, cinnamon, woody Finish: toasted marshmallow, woody, smokey but not like peat Young, but pretty smooth