Balcones Texas High Rye Bourbon

Rating: 18/23 A unique but very challenging profile from Balcones Rye. I'm interested to see its influence here. Nose: Maple syrup, baking spices, and a mustiness reminiscent of blue corn (though I haven't confirmed its presence, it smells that way). A tartness with orange peel and tangerine complements the maple syrup, creating a decadent aroma. Surprisingly complex and balanced, with an apparent maturity. As it develops, I detect the familiar rye funk, with vegetal notes leading into mint and bitter herbs, plus a faint jalapeño. It works well. Palate: Spicy! It burns. The rye flavors hit first: vegetal funk, black pepper, and jalapeño. Substantial maple syrup is present, along with a musty blue corn sweetness. Vanilla and cinnamon are also noticeable. There's a bitter vegetal funk I don't particularly care for, but the tangerine and orange peel are pleasant. Without the intense burn and peculiar bitter vegetal taste, the palate would be much improved. Adding water increases the bitterness and funk, unfortunately highlighting some of the peculiarities I recall from the rye. A strong charcoal flavor emerges, which I dislike. There's also a hint of cherry cordial and the peppermint from the nose. Finish: Tends towards bitterness, with mint, char, and herbal spices predominantly. As I exhale, I get some musty corn, followed by the vegetal rye funk and jalapeño. - Conclusion - There's a solid foundation here, likely from the corn. The rye funk is interesting but not generally enjoyable for me. It's quite complex, despite the significant burn, which is manageable given the proof, and less intense than Cask Strength Ry3 (9/23). This tastes considerably better than that one too. This bottling surpasses my Garrison Brothers single barrel cask strength (15/23) due to its hedonism and complexity. However, 1792 Full Proof (19/23) is significantly better. I'm leaning towards a 17 or 18. Old Forester 1920 (18/23) is quite comparable in quality. I was expecting a 17, but I'll give this an 18. It is quite demanding, though. Ah, I now realize much of the char is dark roast coffee. It's a bit too dark for my preference, but I still prefer it to plain char. For a final comparison, Wild Turkey Rare Breed 116.8 (18-19/23) is very similar. I no longer think this is a 17 and could see it as a 19. I'm settling on an 18. Thanks for the sample! This was certainly challenging, but it grew on me and I ended up enjoying it.

Appears to be from the 2021 production run. Alcohol content is 64.4%. Nose: Creamed corn, but mixed with milk chocolate. Smells like shaving soap, ethanol, rye grain, chocolate cereal, cleaning products, and fresh rye herbs. Some citrus and fruit notes emerge as your nose adjusts. Palate: Earthy and herbal with milk chocolate coming through. Tastes of sweet corn, cooked beef, charred oak, young rye cereal, and is boozy. Finish: Hot, earthy, with notes of chocolate, rye, cinnamon, oak, and mint. This is one of the least impressive Balcones bottles I've encountered, and I suspect my expectations based on the brand are influencing my rating. I question if I'd score it differently without those expectations. For now, it's a hesitant 'no,' leaning towards 'maybe.' It feels dishonest to rate it otherwise, but separating expectations is challenging. Anyway, I'm getting sidetracked. The primary issue is that it strongly resembles a young rye – green with underdeveloped herbal notes and some dried vegetation. It's the type of rye I don't particularly care for. It's simply underwhelming and too intense. It might improve with water, but I rarely add water except for an occasional ice cube. I can't recall if I did that with this bottle – likely, and it probably wasn't memorable. I would skip this in the future.

I believe the grain bill consists of 55% Blue Corn, 32% Texas Rye, 7% Specialty Ryes, and 6% Golden Promise Malted Barley. I suspect the "specialty rye" is chocolate malted rye, as it shares significant similarities with the standard release rye, particularly the prominent chocolate flavor. Unfortunately, it also carries the same unusual note that doesn't appeal to me. Notes include vanilla, milk chocolate, roasted jalapeno, and possibly a damp, grassy funk. I prefer this over the standard Balcones rye, but not by much. I was hoping for something closer to the Blue Corn Bourbon, which is especially delicious. I won't be repurchasing this. My next target is to find their Wheated Bourbon. Update: Either my palate is off tonight or this has significantly improved. I'm no longer detecting the vegetal pepper and off-putting funk; instead, I'm getting more of the chocolatey bourbon I anticipated, and I'm enjoying it more now. Time will tell if this is a palate adjustment, but it might be moving up in rating. Update 2: It's definitely better. The funky jalapeno/green pepper note hasn't entirely vanished, but the chocolate is more pronounced, and the funk seems less intense. Increasing the score by a quarter point.

The initial aroma presents a strong combination of earthy dark chocolate, toasted caraway seeds, and butterscotch pudding, followed by a vegetal jalapeño spice and notes of dried figs, sautéed apples, and orange zest. This then transitions to spearmint, cloves, and fresh pine, accompanied by a high alcohol burn. The taste has a thick texture, beginning with a strong bitter, sour, and peppery spice that gradually yields to dark chocolate cherry mocha and charred rye bread with whipped honey butter. It then presents notes of dried figs, sour apple candy, and orange zest, transitioning to spearmint, cloves, and over-steeped black tea, all with a significant alcohol burn. The finish is of moderate length, featuring dark chocolate cherry cordial, espresso, charred jalapeños, candy apple, and campfire ash. This is a distinctive offering from Balcones, where the rye is prominent, supported by a rich bourbon base. However, the balance is off, with excessive bitterness and some spicy vegetal notes that I don't particularly care for. At over $60, I wouldn't purchase this and would instead choose their Blue Corn Bourbon. My thanks to a friend for providing a generous sample of this spirit.

The aroma bursts with brown sugar, molasses, caramel, waffle, mesquite, scorched sugars, nutmeg, and barrel char. The ethanol is pleasantly subdued. The taste mirrors the nose closely, introducing creme brûlée, raisin, dark chocolate, tea leaf, toasted marshmallow, and butterscotch. The flavors are concentrated and opulent, bordering on "gooey." The finish offers warmth and spice, including jalapeño, ginger, rye, dry oak, and raw alcohol, before miraculously transitioning back to sweetness with caramel-drizzled vanilla ice cream – a truly heavenly experience. This sweetness persists. The texture is full and smooth with a touch of sparkle that enhances the drink. It's a profoundly sweet and intensely spicy experience, offering much to appreciate for those who enjoy this profile. A thrilling journey, indeed, and a satisfying one if you're prepared for the ride. The finish was utterly magnificent. For about $70, it's definitely worth repurchasing, though I admit, similar to many Balcones offerings, it requires a specific mindset as they are more demanding than typical spirits. Nevertheless, it stands out as one of the distillery's superior releases.

Fans of Balcones rye will find this agreeable. It presents abundant chocolate and baking spices, mellowed by corn sweetness. Those seeking a Buffalo Trace substitute should look elsewhere. While decent in its own right, dude, if this is your preferred taste, just grab the rye and commit. This feels like a concession, and an unnecessary one. It's passable as an independent pour, sure, but considering Balcones' other options and the cost, it's a no-brainer........77/100.....thanks to a friend for the sample