Scott_E
Balcones True Blue Tequila cask finish
Single Malt — Texas , USA
Reviewed
September 14, 2020 (edited June 12, 2021)
Balcones is one that has escaped me but has intrigued me. This distillery has been craft-fully creating quality products and pushing traditional whiskey barriers, in my opinion. This sample came from longtime distiller friend and most gracious with his shares and collection @PBMichiganWolverine
First few inhalations reveal sweet corn, vanilla and a pinch of tequila. Sweet and earthy. Dried grass clippings, caramel, apples, marshmallows, melon. It only gets sweeter and richer with time.
An arrival that is almost undetectable in feel and body. Extremely velvety, round and smooth. The sweetness from the nose carries through onto the palate with vanilla, brown sugar, corn, mandarin oranges. A nice bit of spice keeps the sweetness in checked with black pepper, oak spice, spearmint, rye and dill.
As the the palate starts to segue to the finish, almost seamless, the spice fades to a medium length finish leaving a prickly tongue, a mouth of caramel, toasted marshmallows, Luxardo cherries with a bit of drying oak tannins.
Of the bourbons and American whiskies that I have tasted, this ranks as one of the best. The balance and depth of nose and flavors is near perfect. Not sickly sweet, overly dry or edgy spiced. The combination of the three sensations perfectly play and pull. I am glad I was able to taste this as this a few and far between (extinct) bottling. Thank you again Pranay for the wonderful sample. [95/100][Tasted: 9/12/20]
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I’m hopeful we’ll see a wider distribution for Balcones on this side of the pond in the near future
Nice review. Was lucky to get a sample shipped all the way over to NZ!
I’ve not been here in a few weeks. Thought I’d check in...and was glad to see this post from you. Yeah, this was a highlight for me personally. That tequila cask stood up nicely against this burly Texan. This got really good reviews from malt.com reviewers as well.
What an interesting experience. I'm surprised but glad that it turned out so well!