Balcones Lineage Texas Single Malt

I previously reviewed this on February 7, 2022, but I was still quite new to whisky then. With 15 months more experience, I decided a revisit was in order. While this is technically a "single malt" by Scottish legal definition (100% "malted" barley mash bill, product of one distillery), I prefer to call it "barley whisky." The United States lacks a legal definition for "single malt," and we speak American English. Why not simply call it barley whisky and define it as requiring at least 51% barley in the mash bill, allowing American distillers to avoid conforming to or disregarding foreign regulations? Furthermore, "sprouted" is a more appropriate term in the U.S. than "malted," which is meaningless to most people. But that's just my personal opinion – the whisky itself is far superior to such distinctions. It's 94 proof, made from 100% sprouted barley (sourced from both Texas and Scotland), and presents an old gold color in the glass. I purchased a 750ml bottle for $41.99 at Kelly Liquors in the Mountain Run Shopping Center here in Albuquerque, and I believe it's worth every penny, as you'll see below. NOSE: The aroma is very rich. Initially, I perceived an impression of dark mixed fruit. As I continued to explore the nose, the individual notes became lighter and brighter. I detected pears, mangos, plums, applesauce, an almost peaty smokiness (though this is not a peated whisky), pecan praline ice cream, crisp juicy apples, caramel candy, vanilla extract, butter and citrus honey, along with something warm and savory that I couldn't quite pinpoint. The nose is so enticing that I must remind myself to start sipping. MOUTHFEEL: Smooth. TASTE: I often find less complexity in the taste compared to the nose, which I attribute as a flaw in my palate. Here, I detected golden honey, peaches, a slight hint of oak, baked apples, brown sugar, and cinnamon. FINISH: This is a long finish, starting with oak and apples, evolving into cinnamon oak, and finally fading into brown sugar. SUMMARY: This is a luxurious and fruity whisky. If you're accustomed to bourbon or rye, this will be a distinctly different experience. It shares similarities with Scottish "single malt" whisky in its fruitiness, but due to its higher proof compared to similarly priced Scotch or Irish whiskies, and the impact of aging in the extreme Texas climate, it's not as light as whisky from Scotland or Ireland. At three years old, this is a young whisky – considerably younger than Scottish "single malt" – but the Texas aging process has rendered it robust and exceptional. This ranks among the best whiskies I've ever had. RATING: On my personal scale, I rate it "Mighty Fine," equivalent to five stars, 100/100, or 10/10.

Every Balcones bottle I've opened has impressed me, and this is no exception. I love this whisky, though it differs from the bourbon and corn whisky I'm accustomed to. The mash bill consists of 100% malted barley from Texas and Scotland. According to the label, it's AGED AT LEAST 36 MONTHS IN OAK - they apparently have a minimum aging period, after which they age to taste. It's 94 proof, and I purchased a fifth for $41.99 at the Uptown Total Wine in Albuquerque. The color in the glass is reddish wheat. The legs form very slowly, which I interpret as an indicator of alcohol content, and they run down the glass long and with irregular spacing. NOSE: The aroma is very potent - I could smell the whisky before I even brought the glass to my nose. It wasn't unpleasant, and there were no distinct notes, but I could definitely sense it. Bringing my nose closer to the glass, I detected apple juice and alcohol. With my nose fully in the glass, there were notes of vanilla, an underlying warmth, apples, bananas, and a very faint smokiness. TASTE: Sipping the whisky provided an initial sensation of cool water. Then came a note of bitter Baker's Chocolate (which I enjoyed eating when I was younger), and some oak. After the complexity of the nose, the simplicity of the taste was surprising, but it's nevertheless very pleasing on the palate. The mouthfeel is very creamy, almost oily. FINISH: The finish is long. It starts with a strong oak note, followed by dark chocolate and puffed wheat, with smoke emerging, then brown sugar. The oak returns and lingers, and lingers, and lingers... I anticipated great things from this bottle because the two other Balcones products I've tried were outstanding. The Lineage did not disappoint me; I expected great things, and it delivered.

The aroma is reminiscent of waxy soap, vanilla, and some raw honey, possibly raw almonds or walnuts. The dominant scent is soapy, waxy vanilla. The flavor presents as sour vanilla, with the waxy soapiness creating a distinctive experience. Hints of spice, specifically cinnamon, mint, and banana, can be detected behind the wax. The finish is brief, featuring sour vanilla, wax, and spicy banana. This is intriguing. The waxy/soapy quality is a bit overwhelming initially, but I grew accustomed to it over time. It didn't become appealing enough for me to seek out a purchase, but it grew less off-putting. The prominent waxy, soapy characteristics bring to mind a previous review of a 1794 Maryland Four Grain Rye. This spirit will likely be an acquired taste. If you're seeking a challenge, this might be one to consider. Overall Grade: C (Average)

A sophisticated Texas Single Malt Whisky from Balcones Distillery in Waco, Texas, created using a blend of Simpsons Golden Promise malted barley from Scotland and local malted barley from the West Texas plains. It's distilled in copper pot stills made by Forsyths and aged in new and refill barrels whose staves have undergone "yard-aging" for 36 months, bottled at 47% ABV. It presents an aromatic beginning with notes of barley, fruit, wood, herbs, and spices. Its rich and complex character adds notes of walnut cake, flan, bananas foster, toasted woods, and vanilla, leading to a long and warm conclusion with notes of apple streusel, pear galette, English toffee, and bitter cream. December 2022

Nose: Barley, funky chocolate, a hint of vanilla Palate: Oak, a little smoke, pepper, and baking spices Finish: A short-to-medium finish leaving a sweetness in the mouth Before the official definition of American Single Malt existed, Balcones was already crafting it. The blend of Scottish and American-grown malted barley results in a truly unique and distinct dram. Having spent more time with this bottle, it's the one you'll keep on your shelf for something different from the usual choices. It performs its function well, yet I personally don't find myself reaching for it often. In a world full of Barbies, it's the eccentric one.

Surprisingly complex and layered for its price. The nose presents smoky caramel layered over sweet cherry-licorice syrup, followed by a hint of spice—perhaps black pepper, perhaps anise… I couldn't be certain. The initial taste is met with smokiness and some heat, but it quickly gives way to brown sugar and apple, still finishing with that touch of spice. As it evolves, the flavors become even richer—the brown sugar and licorice become more prominent while the heat and spice remain. Each sip reveals something new. A delightful one!