Still Austin The Musician Straight Bourbon

This is a Texas bourbon, distinct from the typical Kentucky style. Though young chronologically, it ages more rapidly in Texas due to the climate (similar to how whiskey matures faster in Kentucky than in Scotland). The mash bill consists of 70% white corn, 25% Elbon rye (making it a high-rye whiskey), and 5% Wildfire barley. It's bottled at 98.4 proof, cost $39.99 for a fifth, has a copper hue in the glass, and the label indicates it is at least two years old. NOSE: Sweet potato pie spices (not pumpkin pie, which I dislike), almonds, corn sweetness, vanilla buttercream frosting, smoky cashews, cinnamon chocolate. I don't recall encountering a whiskey before that blends elements into distinct notes as seamlessly as this one does, such as cinnamon and chocolate merging into a single chocolate note with cinnamon undertones. MOUTHFEEL: Moderately creamy. TASTE: Cinnamon chocolate, brown sugar, black pepper butter, dark chocolate. FINISH: Moderate length, starting with black pepper, introducing some oak, and with a hint of chocolate orange mixed among the other flavors. SUMMARY: This is undeniably an excellent bourbon. It has become one of my go-to selections – whiskies that I might not always keep in stock due to budget and storage constraints, but which I will certainly purchase repeatedly. It's well worth the price, and I would be willing to spend $50, although that would limit me to purchasing it only once or twice a year. RATING: On my personal scale, which ranges from 1 (lowest) to 8 (highest), this ranks at the 7th level – Truly excellent. This corresponds to 4.375 stars, 87.5/100, or 8.75/10.

This is the absolute last time I'll risk trying a craft whiskey. This was meant to be the star of the Texas craft whiskey scene, and honestly, I'd be better off drinking paint stripper with a hint of whiskey flavor. The aroma, particularly from a distance, could trick you into expecting a standard flagship bourbon, similar to those from major Kentucky distilleries. If you investigate further, you'll detect the ethanol and grain-forward youth of the spirit, though it's not overwhelming. The initial taste is quite pleasant, with brown sugar and cinnamon. However, it takes a HARSH turn at the mid-palate, becoming a grainy, industrial flavor that only gets stronger through the finish. This whiskey is simply too young. No amount of climate variations from the Texas heat or specific aging techniques can compensate for the lack of mellowing wood sugars developed from extended barrel aging. I'd barely consider it suitable for mixing into a spirit-forward cocktail like a manhattan or old fashioned. Whatever you do with it, it's probably best to mask it as much as possible with mixers, bitters, sugar, fruit, or anything else you can find. I do not recommend it. Save your money and get a product four times better from a heritage Kentucky brand for half the price. Hope this advice is helpful!

Sweet and spicy is the main theme of this performance. The nose has equal parts of both, with a spice that is herbal and peppery like arugula, and a sweetness that is primarily fructose and honey but reveals a rich vanilla with some effort. Cherry pie filling, a hint of allspice, applewood smoke, and a touch of orange blossom drift over green fields. The palate is played with energy and power, showcasing a lively dance of flavors delivered at a strong ABV. There's plenty of canned fruit cocktail and pecan pie filling, along with an earthy rye and some cayenne to provide balance. The body is medium to full, with a slight oiliness. The finish is rather short, semi-dry, and woody yet fruity, like peach pits and apple seeds. Plus, soft barrel spice and a final note of pecans in bitter dark chocolate conclude the performance. Nose: 9 Taste: 8 Body: 8 Finish: 7

Nose: Vanilla and lightly burnt/toasted wood, with a hidden fruit or rich melon note in the background, plus perhaps a tiny touch of herbal green tea or toasted grain. Palate: Though a bit watery, it carries well and has a pleasant alcohol level. It presents melon, with an almost candy-like artificial sweetness, similar to taffy, in a good way. The finish improves with longer sipping, though initially it fades quickly. After a few sips, a pleasant light fruit and slightly cooked grain taste emerges on the finish. Finish: Initially light and weak, it develops with more sipping, becoming a mixture of cooked grain and melon. Quite enjoyable. Overall, it reminds me of a young spirit, but it's neither weak nor overpowering. It's a solid 2-year-old pour, and I'm eager to sample their older expressions. I'm impressed and anticipate their future releases. I'll probably buy their entire range if the next bottles I try show more character!

I've decided to upgrade this to 4 stars. It tastes much better than I anticipated for its age. This doesn't mean its youth isn't apparent at times. It definitely tastes hotter than its stated proof. Spice, coffee, vanilla, nougat, and oak are present on the nose. I'm getting some banana and apple flavors early on the palate, which then fade into the nougat I noticed on the nose. Some graham cracker notes are also present. There's a pleasant roasty note that lingers on the finish. It has a solid mouthfeel and considerable depth. Even with its noticeable heat, it doesn't detract from the flavors. This might be the best $40 bottle I've purchased from a craft distillery in quite some time.

Nose: Sugary caramel, spiced apple. Palate: Caramel sweetness starts out, then shifts rapidly to cinnamon and assorted baking spices. Finish: Brief to moderate, with spice remaining. This is a pleasant blend of sweet and spicy notes. What truly impressed me about the primary release from Still Austin was its 98.4 proof. This is not only slightly higher than the standard offering from other companies (which typically range from 86-94 proof) but it's also only 20 points shy of Still Austin's Cask Strength expression (which I have and enjoy at home.) This Texas bourbon is currently aged for about three years, and it's a remarkably dependable drink for a company's main product.