Balcones is a distillery based in Waco, TX. The brand began distilling in 2009 and quickly made a name for themselves. Balcones currently has six labels, and we poured five of them for this tasting, with the sixth used in our cocktail.
We did this tasting blind, with only our host, Mr. Josh Cary, aware of what each glass contained.
Bottle #1: Balcones True Blue 100 Straight Corn Whisky
Proof: 100
Price: $59.99
Purchase Location: ThinkLiquor.com
NOSE: butterscotch, caramel, buttery cornbread, wheat bread, very light green raisin, tobacco, Grape Nuts cereal
PALATE: malty, apple skin, wheat bread crust, sugary raisins
FINISH: fig, apple skin, light cocoa
Bottle #2: Balcones Texas Single Malt Whisky #1
Proof: 103
Price: $79.99
Purchase Location: ThinkLiquor.com
NOSE: earwax, baked cinnamon apples, apple cider vinegar, lemon, boxed stuffing without onions, stale bread
PALATE: loads of apple with more spice than the first bottle, cider, cinnamon sugar.
FINISH: fresh apples, baking spice, cedar, spearmint, dark chocolate
Bottle #3: Balcones Texas Rye Whisky
Proof: 100
Price: $46.99
Purchase Location: ThinkLiquor.com
NOSE: plum and apricot, vinegar, port, green olive, chili pepper, Play-Doh
PALATE: yeast bread, baking soda, flour, powdered sugar, jalapeño, sawdust
FINISH: some smoked chile and paprika, coffee grounds, a bit metallic
Bottle #4: Balcones Rumble
Proof: 94
Price: $59.99
Purchase Location: ThinkLiquor.com
NOSE: cherry cough drops, fresh pine, gym socks, old wet towel, raspberry tea
PALATE: sawdust, peaches, Nestea, Snapple
FINISH: very quick, candy peach rings
Bottle #5: Balcones Brimstone Whisky
Proof: 106
Price: $67.99
Purchase Location: ThinkLiquor.com
NOSE: dry eraser, Sharpie, pencil eraser, new bike tire, rubber, balloons, campfire, unlit match
PALATE: charred wood, new leather, sulfur, burned rubber, Demerara sugar
FINISH: pencil eraser and shavings, pine needle, tree sap
