Balcones Texas 1 Single Malt

On a quick weekend trip to Florida, a backpack of clothes and necessities to carry on and off the plane. I wound up meeting up with a friend nearby for a lunch and a quick catchup on life. Well, in the same plaza of the restaurant is a Total Wine. After a fun catchup, like a moth to a light, I was drawn in. Alas, I cannot bring anything thing back with me on the plane; I only have a backpack. Peruse the sample and for $7 grabbed the Texas Single Malt and at 53% abv, this feels like a sensible purchase. Sitting down for the evening, I crack this open. The color of natural maple syrup brownish-amber. Dark Karo Syrup strikes the nose, molasses-like. Wafts of chocolate malt (I.e. Ovaltine), golden currants, cinnamon-sugar, nutmeg and pecans. There is a fragrant sweet note of butterscotch cream and brine that surrounds and encapsulates all earthy notes. Quite unique. The body coats the palate delivering spice and sweetness. Caramel, root beer, cinnamon, baking spices, ginger, fig/Fig Newtons, maple syrup, oak, dark chocolate and oak tannins. This is a hodgepodge of unique and differentiating flavors all packed in a burst of boldness. The flavors seem to never fade and palate stays coated in an oily thickness. Maple syrup and oak wood just linger and await the next sip. Red hot cinnamon tingle the tongue. Unique is not a description I have used often, if at all, when tasting. From nose to finish. Dirty, bold, brawny. I can picture tumbleweed rolling past me as I sip on this. You may need to be wearing a Stetson, boots, spurs and chaps while sipping. A fun one for sure and will and to snag a full bottle for the collection. [88/100][Tasted: 2/26/23]

Balcones Texas Single Malt Review#124 Glass: Glencairn, rested 15 minutes. Color: Dark amber. Nose: Lots of fruit and a sweet grassy note that I can't quite place. Palate: Some oak and spice with more of that grassy note. Finish: Practically nonexistent. Splash: The grassy note is tamed, allowing clove and oak notes to really shine. Overall: 4/10 - Some people say good things about this stuff, and after having True Blue, I had high hopes. This is...different. I can't quite place the grassy note, but I don't usually enjoy American single malts so I haven’t had much experience with them. This bottle was a gift, otherwise I would not recommend it.

Balcones, Westland and countless craft distilleries - Scotch is facing some stiff competition as American single malt rises as a category. Notes of cherries, dates and cocoa reach my nose, followed by toasted oak, baking spices and fresh mint. Rich, intense and juicy, the palate carries on with burnt sugar, stewed fruits and roasted nuts. Water brings out aromatic and dryer flavors, and I get dark chocolate, orange zest and cinnamon. The prolonged finish evolves with maple syrup, barrel char and licorice. Only 4 years in the Texas heat, this Balcones is amazing. RATING: 3.9/5.0 stars ≙ 86 pts → FIRST-CLASS [-]

On closeout for a steal of a price. Enjoyed the single barrel expression I was previously given, so I had to buy it. For a whiskey that's only 2 years old, the Texas heat does wonders for it. The nose is a bit hot, but has layers of burnt caramel and dried fruits. The rich fruits carry over to the palate. This combines with a bit of heat and spice before rich molasses and a hint of oak comes through. The molasses remains long into the finish mixing with a little oak. Out of the small group of American single malt whiskey I've sampled, this remains my favorite.

An intense, non-chill-filtered, American Single Malt Whiskey by Balcones Distillery in Texas. It has a rich birth with notes of baked stone fruit, pear & banana; while a full & silky life adds notes of dark toast with sweet butter & orange marmalade; that led to a long & bold death with notes of toasted caramel & baking spice. May / September 2019 / February / July / August / October 2020 / January / November 2021 / August 2022

Color is amber. Nose is butterscotch and molasses, entry is more of the same with spice, candied fruit and nuts (think fruit cake) and a touch of salt. Body is rich and full. Finish is spice and malt with hints of root beer. This may be a 100% single malt, but ti is like no other single malt, Scotch or Irish, I have ever tasted. It is definitely different and intriguing and very good.