Balcones Texas Single Malt Single Barrel Whisky Finished in Wine Casks #28365

This is a Total Wine, Waco, TX selection, Barrel No. 30869. It was aged for a total of 50 months, initially in a used Oloroso sherry cask before being transferred to a used KY bourbon barrel. It has 64% abv (128 proof) and has been open for 3 weeks. I received a sample from a friend who regularly visits his in-laws in Houston during the holidays. The aroma consists of stewed stone fruits and berries, molasses, fresh steakhouse bread, cocoa, funky malt, allspice, medium oak, and medium ethanol. The palate features berry and fig jam, chocolate-covered caramel, toffee, overly sweet malt, cinnamon, allspice, and sweet oak. The finish is long, with rich dark fruit jam, molasses, allspice, cardamom, oily oak, and medium ethanol. This is fantastic. I usually enjoy Balcones products initially, but over time they become less appealing as the oak overpowers the flavor profile. The extended aging in a used Oloroso sherry cask perfectly balances the oak. One might assume aging malt in Texas heat for this duration would intensify the sherry and bourbon barrel influences negatively, but they harmonize exceptionally well. It remains a substantial, heavy pour – two glasses maximum in one sitting. However, unlike the cask strength rye and malt single barrels I've tried, I don't feel this was aged excessively in the Texas climate. The closest comparison I've had is the Rua Sherry Cask from NC, but this is bolder and heavier.

I have bottle #27876, which is finished in Madeira casks and is 56.6% ABV. Potent and powerful fumes invigorate the glass. The nose presents rich dark fruit with the signature Balcones notes. The palate delivers chocolate nougat that melts into a fruit roll-up. There's an explosion of cinnamon and intense nutmeg, sweet pipe tobacco, heavy malt, and tanned leather. The ethanol is present but serves to enhance the flavors. It feels as though they distill pure sunshine into their products, with a hot, vibrant funk. The finish has ample non-bitter tannins, coffee grounds, pencil lead, and lingering dark fruit. One must be able to handle the proof, as this drinks with significant heat. It's bombastic, giving you a bit of a jolt but catching you before you fall. Another strong performer from Balcones, earning an 89/100. Get on this wild Texas stallion for a ride. I'm docking slightly for value, as I find it overpriced, but as with all their single malt offerings (most of which are hard to find), the advice is: if you see it, buy it.