Balcones Texas 1 Single Malt

During a short trip to Florida, I packed light for my flight. I met a friend for lunch nearby. In the same shopping center, a Total Wine caught my eye. After our chat, I was drawn in, but I couldn't bring anything back on the plane with only a backpack. I browsed the samples and picked up the Texas Single Malt for $7. At 53% abv, it seemed like a reasonable buy. I opened it that evening. The color resembles natural maple syrup, a brownish-amber. The aroma is like Dark Karo Syrup, with a molasses quality. Hints of chocolate malt (like Ovaltine), golden raisins, cinnamon-sugar, nutmeg, and pecans are present. A sweet scent of butterscotch cream and brine surrounds and encompasses all the earthy notes. It's quite distinct. The body coats the palate with spice and sweetness. Flavors include caramel, root beer, cinnamon, baking spices, ginger, fig/Fig Newtons, maple syrup, oak, dark chocolate, and oak tannins. It's a mixture of unique and distinct flavors packed with boldness. The flavors persist, and the palate remains coated with an oily thickness. Maple syrup and oak wood linger, inviting another sip. Red hot cinnamon tingles the tongue. I don't often use the word unique when describing tastes, from nose to finish. It's dirty, bold, and brawny. I can visualize tumbleweeds blowing by as I drink this. You might need a Stetson, boots, spurs, and chaps to enjoy it. It's definitely a fun one, and I'll get a full bottle for my collection. [88/100][Tasted: 2/26/23]

Balcones Texas Single Malt Review#124 Glass: Glencairn, rested 15 minutes. Color: Deep amber. Nose: Abundant fruit and a sweet herbal aroma I can't quite identify. Palate: A bit of oak and spice with more of that herbal character. Finish: Virtually absent. Splash: The herbal note is subdued, letting clove and oak aromas really stand out. Overall: 4/10 - Some folks speak highly of this whiskey, and after trying True Blue, my expectations were high. This is...unusual. I can't quite pinpoint the herbal note, but I typically don't favor American single malts, so my exposure is limited. This bottle was a present; otherwise, I wouldn't suggest it.

Balcones, Westland and countless craft distilleries - Scotch is facing some serious competition as American single malt gains prominence as a category. Notes of cherries, dates and cocoa reach my nose, followed by toasted oak, baking spices and fresh mint. Rich, intense and juicy, the palate continues with burnt sugar, stewed fruits and roasted nuts. Water reveals aromatic and drier flavors, and I detect dark chocolate, orange zest and cinnamon. The extended finish evolves with maple syrup, barrel char and licorice. Only 4 years in the Texas heat, this Balcones is remarkable. SCORE: 3.9/5.0 stars ≙ 86 pts → FIRST-CLASS [-]

Found on clearance at an incredible price. I enjoyed the single barrel version I had previously, so I felt compelled to purchase it. For a spirit only two years old, the Texas heat significantly enhances it. The aroma is a bit intense but reveals layers of burnt caramel and dried fruits. The rich fruit flavors carry through to the palate, complemented by a bit of heat and spice before notes of rich molasses and a hint of oak emerge. The molasses lingers well into the finish, mingling with a touch of oak. Among the limited selection of American single malt whiskies I've sampled, this remains my preferred choice.

A potent, unfiltered American Single Malt from Balcones Distillery in Texas. It starts with flavors of cooked stone fruit, pear, and banana. Its smooth and full-bodied character brings notes of dark toast with sweet butter and orange marmalade, finishing with a lengthy and strong conclusion of toasted caramel and baking spice. May / September 2019 / February / July / August / October 2020 / January / November 2021 / August 2022

Amber in color. The aroma is butterscotch and molasses. The initial taste is similar, with spice, candied fruit and nuts (reminiscent of fruitcake), and a hint of salt. The body is full and rich. The finish offers spice and malt with subtle notes of root beer. While it may be 100% single malt, it is unlike any other single malt, Scotch or Irish, I have encountered. It is certainly unique and intriguing, and quite good.