Balcones Texas Rum

Reviewing what appears to be the 2017 release, at a near-hazmat proof of 137. Color - very dark; if labeled as a Caribbean dark rum, one would assume artificial coloring, but all Balcones spirits possess this hue due to small-barrel aging. Nose - Definitely more oak than molasses. Nothing unusual; if it smells like rum, it's quite clean. Mostly, you get the barrel here: smoky & woody along with some ethanol/varnish. Palate - Some sweetness and burnt sugar appear initially but are quickly overcome by bitter dark chocolate and dark-roast coffee. At over 68% ABV, the heat is not surprising, but the larger issue is the bitter/astringent finish which pretty much ruins things for me. Some water or ice tames the ABV heat but doesn't really help with the finish. Balcones is really frustrating for me. As a semi-local distillery that takes its craft seriously and releases many interesting products, I truly want to like them. Unfortunately, they insist on aging everything in small barrels, and I just can't get into the bitter, woody flavor profile this results in.

Before leaving New Zealand last July for a month-long journey through the southern United States, beginning in Texas, I decided to open a sample of Balcones single malt. This particular expression was finished in casks typically used for their rum. The initial taste was quite intense, leading me to check the label and notice the 64.2% ABV. Adding a few drops of water improved the balance. It's a distinctive spirit with a significant, even dominant, rum character. It almost tastes like drinking rum straight from the cask. The sweetness reminiscent of cough syrup and a cola flavor that borders on artificial make it difficult to enjoy fully. While not awful considering its age, I wouldn't seek it out again, nor would I buy a bottle. I couldn't even finish the sample. I'm rating it a 2.5; despite its young age, it certainly makes a strong impression.

This presents with warmth. The nose offers hints of oak and a berry sweetness, but the palate reveals its alcohol content and what I recognize as typical Balcones characteristics. There's an earthy quality on the palate, similar to other Balcones releases I've encountered. The oak is intense, yet I find little sweetness. As this is a fresh pour, I will allow it to rest before revisiting.

The maturation process imparted the expected taste of vanilla and intensely toasted wood. It also presents a charred, not peaty, smoky character, which is a positive attribute. Additionally, there are hints of banana bread and berries. Despite its initially strong impression, I found it rather captivating.

The aroma presents sweet pastry, rich buttercream, and caramelized sugar notes. The palate is led by buttercream and alcohol, with a hint of oak. The finish has an oily, drying texture.

Features a strong molasses finish that persists. An excellent rum for sipping.