Balcones True Blue Cask Strength Single Barrel Straight Corn Whisky (Barrel 18313)

Balcones True Blue Cask Strength Single Barrel Straight Corn Whisky (Barrel 18313) As dark a whisky as I’ve ever seen—and no coloring to boot. Nose shows grilled peaches, brown sugar, burnt marshmallow, dark chocolate, espresso, luxardo cherries. Each of these is magnified on the palate—gobs of sweetness, and some more tropical fruit: guava? Papaya? The depth and richness of flavor keeps the 68%(!) alcohol in check. The finish goes on for minutes. The back label reads: “The art of marrying barrels is an essential part of the distillers craft. On occasion a single barrel expresses such distinction, by virtue of excellence or remarkable character, that it deserves to be preserved in its solitary form. Balcones Single Barrel embraces the variety and extraordinary qualities each cask can impart upon the spirit.” I’ve only ever had three other whiskies with this flavor profile, and the ability to conceal a very high proof: William Larue Weller (2019 bottle), George T. Stagg (2019 bottle), and Thirteenth Colony Double Oaked (current release). I wish I could learn more. Strangely, True Blue in any form is not on the Balcones website at the time of this writing. I have two other bottles of Balcones: Baby Blue and Texas Pot Still Bourbon. I saw this today and bought it on a whim. Would I buy it again? Yes I would. In fact, I am headed back to the store for more. Different barrels are different barrels, but #18313 is the one for me. I don’t give 5-star reviews flippantly. I’ve reviewed 200+ whiskies here on Distiller. There are quarter-point increments from zero to five—20 in all. If these are equally distributed, five stars would equate to the 95th percentile, or top 5%. This whisky is easily in that category. 5 stars on the Distiller scale. 68% ABV. No coloring. Non chill filtered.

It's been nearly three months since my last review (9/18/25). What a whisky! Molasses. Luxardo cherries. Dark dried fruits. BBQ sauce. Espresso. Caramelized sugar. Pipe tobacco. Cinnamon. Definitely guava and papaya on the finish, which goes on and on and on. Cinnamon churros make an appearance toward the end. Then more espresso. The 136 proof is a little more noticeable than last time. But it's 136! And I'm sipping it neat. Would I buy it again? I'm subtracting a quarter point in attempt to ensure some retail availability. For me.

One of my faves. Consistent with previous notes. Sorghum syrup, burnt marshmallow, tangy BBQ sauce, cinnamon, sweet creamed corn, pipe tobacco, bacon (!). There's something new, something different, each time I nose the glass. Noticeable viscosity on the palate. And 136 proof! You can feel it, but the flavors and aromas are equally as powerful. Would I buy it again? I got two more bottles of the same barrel yesterday. 4.75 on the Distiller scale. Barrel 18313.