Balcones True Blue Cask Strength

My brother in law just came back from Texas with a bottle. Having tried Balcones Texas Single Malt Sib and both having similar proof (128), I was anxious to try. Initially, it is hard to get past the stinging alcohol on the nose it's much like phenol and burns the nostrils. It calms down after 15 minutes but ever present. Once I can get past the alcohol, this one is sweet heavy on cotton candy and caramel. Can't quite get down another layer because of the alcohol. Taste is sweet with loads of caramel and corn sweetener. It's thick and chewy, fills the mouth with flavor and leads to a very long finish and after taste of corn sweetener. It it amazing what Balcones accomplishes in two years but I wish they could tame the alcohol but that would take 4-6 years. I think I will revisit them when they put out some product with more age.

Definitely rich and oily. Vanilla and oak are evident. Added a little water to cut the bite and am enjoying it a lot.

Nose - butterscotch, vanilla, powdered sugar, candied corn, apple, peanut, butter pecan, dusty corn, funnel cake, cinnamon, black pepper, nutmeg, sweet oak, moderate to high ethanol burn. Taste - caramel, candy corn, vanilla, cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg, apple, black pepper, peanut, barrel spice, powdered sugar, dusty corn, brown sugar, cocoa, sweet floral notes, high alcohol bite, finishing medium length with sweet candy corn, baking spice, and prickly pepper flavors. I had such a good experience with the Cowboy bourbon yesterday, I’ve decided to devote the rest of the week to Texas whiskey, specifically Balcones expressions. Many thanks to @jonwilkinson7309 for providing this sample, along with a few more I’ll be reviewing this week. For reference, this is a single barrel bottling at 62.9%. The nose on this is like a carnival cranked to eleven. Candy corn, funnel cake, powdered sugar, candied apple, it’s all here. It’s extremely sweet, but doesn’t quite cross into cloying territory. The palate is similar, but more pepper and baking spice notes can be found. I have to admit that the only experience I have with corn whiskey is Mellow Corn. There are some similarities, but this is significantly better. However, I think the standard corn whiskey profile is too sweet for me. In musical terms, they present as all treble and no bass. I think the proof really helps here though. My guess is that the standard True Blue would rate very average for me. But this is not average at all. I’m looking forward to diving into more Balcones offerings this week.

Store pick. Cocoa, nutmeg, peanut brittle spice bomb. Proof is there but doesn’t burn.

Store Pick: 63.4%, 3 years old. Blue corn sucks as tortilla chip, but I believe we've found a decent use. The nose is my favorite part: Right from the start there is a clear butterscotch note with some "nail polish" heat in the background. Just a tid-bit of water helps tame the acetone BTW. There is a "funky, old t-shirt from Goodwill" note in the way background, behind the sweet butterscotch, lending the right amount of complexity and playfulness. On to the taste: Nice and melon sweet upfront , and in the middle, but toward the finish it veers into a spicy bitterness; like a walnut with store-bought-cayenne sprinkled on top. There is also a floral note death gripping on the roof of my mouth for about 2 minutes. The finish also has the most unique "cappuccino experience" which pops this up to a must buy whiskey. The juxtaposition of all the flavors seems rough; though appreciated ;) I'm glad I get to try Balcones, after my love affairs with scotch and cask strength bourbons initially dominated my "thoughts on malts." The perspective makes me really appreciate the creativeness in these pours. I'm a big fan. The price for me was also a nice boost; value is important to the score! I love that 'Merica is broadening the flavor horizons outside of bourbon... However, I just like this whiskey. 5.0 - go out and buy all of the stock you can find. 4.0 - must buy at least one bottle before you die. 3.0 - solid, must try at a bar, or mooch from a friend. 2.0 - didn't like it, you may. 1.0 - you may have the palate of my dog, and he licks his own ass.