Balcones Texas Pot Still Bourbon

First sniff is hot and a little funky. Some caramel and corn try to show up, but the alcohol jumps out first and doesn’t calm down. Smells young and aggressive. First sip comes in hot too. There’s some sweetness and oak in there, but it never really comes together. A little bitter, a little weird, and the finish is short and drying. Not awful just not great. Don’t overthink a pairing. If you’re smoking, keep it mild and cheap. This isn’t a bourbon you build a pairing around. Bottom line, this distillery's product is interesting but unrefined. I’d drink it if offered, but I’m not reaching for it.

To start, I appreciate Balcones, but the pot still distillation process left room for improvement. The aroma is classic bourbon. Some scattered notes of baking spices, sweet caramel, raisins, spicy pepper, toffee, and rich browned butter. The taste is intensely alcoholic upfront. Mind you, only a little water was added, but the flavor suffers. A wave of clove, anise, and cinnamon arrives, followed by a brief finish and a lack of the oily texture characteristic of pot still spirits. The flavor profile contains bourbon notes and subtleties, but only 2 years of aging is insufficient, and the taste reflects this. Use this as a mixer only.

This is simply not a very good spirit. That's the reason I picked up a small sample instead of a full 750 ml bottle... I just didn't feel confident enough in it. A whisper of cinnamon on the nose, but the heat is too prominent with minimal flavor – apart from a peculiar medicinal taste that brought back memories from childhood. I enjoy bourbon and make an effort to appreciate the offerings from all distilleries. But this just isn't good. Possibly too immature with a 2-year age statement.

A captivating whiskey. Clear russet hue. Viscous from the bottle. The nose presents Crackerjack, an aroma like oiled baseball glove leather—which isn't unpleasant—mesquite, and a whisper of vanilla. The entry is thick like the pour, with a rich, mouth-coating palate that begins sweet and honeyed, developing caramel on the back end. The finish brings chilies, a prolonged vanilla note, and a hint of white pepper. Quite good, and available for $29 at my local store.

Sipped over ice. This whiskey offers a subtle yet fresh aroma, reminiscent of syrup and pine—evoking a woodland stroll. It avoids excessive spice on the tongue, presenting as crisp yet smooth, with a hint of sweetness, tasting like unripe pear coated in honey. Its character is bright and delicate, without being overly sharp. The conclusion fades away too quickly. unremarkable, but perfectly fine for regular enjoyment.

A quick sample from the store, technically two samples, but still too early to make firm judgments. It has a nice, medium-dark amber hue. The body is thin but the flavor is good. Notes of mesquite, charred sugar, creme brûlée, grilled corn, rye spice, and hints of cinnamon and perhaps turmeric are present. It's intriguing and definitely has a Texas character. I can see myself purchasing a bottle in the future.