Balcones Hechiceros

The high proof makes it hard to pick up anything on the nose; it's very alcohol-forward with slight vanilla and oak, as one would expect from a bourbon. After tasting it once, I perceived more sweetness: vanilla and toasted marshmallow, with less oak than initially. On the palate, it's very tannic and dries your tongue immediately. Following the initial taste, the whiskey begins to explode with plum and grapes. It finished with that sweet, fruity, rich aftertaste I associate with actual sherry, not whiskies finished in sherry casks. The finish is long, sweet, and rich, probably my favorite part of this whiskey. It's a very fun and interesting whiskey, definitely worth a taste, though I wouldn't buy a bottle.

The nose is rich with butterscotch, caramel, raisins, and grapes. On the palate, find butterscotch, caramel, dark honey, and the influence of port wine from the secondary maturation in port barrels. It is incredibly rich and even more complex than the original Balcones Texas single malt, which I also admire. This one surpasses it and is among my top single malts!

Immediately upon smelling, the port cask finish is undeniable. A sweet aroma of caramel, toasted marshmallows, and raisins. At 120 proof, the heat is unmistakable. However, it has a rich mouthfeel, and the single malt character comes through well; it's sweet, potent, and slightly oaky.

Similar to Noah's Mill, but significantly more potent, which is to be expected at this alcohol by volume. Tasting of sweet caramel, cinnamon-raisin with a smooth finish. I'm really enjoying this.

On the nose: cinnamon, baked goods, honey, dried apricots. On the palate: bread pudding, figs, buttered biscuits.

Delicious and quite smooth.