Still Austin The Musician Cask Strength

Bought at Total Wine in Spokane, WA, for $68 in June 2024, after trying a sample at the store. It's at least 2 years old and bottled at 118 ABV. Tasted neat. It has a beautiful red copper color and leaves strong, coating legs in the glass. The aroma is robust and rich, with floral oak, vanilla, maple syrup, caramel corn, sweet grass, and some ethanol. That's the highlight of the tasting experience. In the mouth, it has a thin, white sugar sweetness (like sweet cake or maple-flavored syrup/candies, but not brown sugar or caramel as others have noted), vanilla oak, and leather tannins, plus cherry, baking spice, followed by an ethanol bloom. The mouthfeel begins thin and sugary, then becomes oily and coating, but still with that sweet profile. The finish remains sweet but turns grassy and spicy with pepper, and a hint of sour cherry in the background. It has a long finish. Adding an ice cube reduces the white sugar sweetness and calms (but doesn't eliminate) the tannic ethanol. I was hesitant about this whiskey due to the 2-year age statement and price, but the small sample I had at the store convinced me. A more thorough tasting reveals some of its youthful imperfections – the thin sweetness and tannic ethanol. This is still a very interesting whiskey, and I can appreciate it for what it is, but it's a distillate that would benefit from more time in charred oak to develop a deeper caramelized brown sugar and grain sweetness.

A friend gave me this because they didn't like it. The nose has some pleasant elements like cigar box, brown sugar, vanilla, toffee, creamed corn, and cinnamon, along with oak. The ethanol smell is strong, but perhaps acceptable considering the proof. The palate is interesting, featuring notes of powdered sugar doughnut, blackberry, clove, nutmeg, grassy herbs, dark chocolate, and charred oak. The flavors are bold but not well-combined; each one stands out distinctly. It's bright and assertive. The long finish includes strong rye spice, black pepper, allspice, barrel char, oak, mint, and some intriguing cereal grains after the other flavors fade. The mouthfeel is thick and creamy, which is a plus, though a slight graininess appears occasionally. Overall, it's a respectable attempt and more subdued than other Texas whiskies I've tried (like Balcones). However, this subtlety comes at the cost of uniqueness. For $49.99, it's reasonably priced, and while I'd like to make it a regular purchase, I ultimately found it somewhat unfocused and unremarkable. I'll pass.

I acquired this bottle (a fifth) for $49.99 at the Uptown Total Wine store in Albuquerque. It registers at 116 proof, carries a two-year age statement, and appears dark copper in the glass. The mash bill consists of 70% white corn, 25% rye, and 5% sprouted barley. AROMA: After several tastings from the glass, I detected dark caramel, a scent I can only describe as warm, green leaves, brown sugar, eucalyptus, butter, bread, musty corn, and cornbread. MOUTHFEEL: Heavy and creamy—while I considered 'oily,' it doesn't quite fit. TASTE: Again, it took multiple sips to discern caramel, brown sugar, butter, honey, milk chocolate, and red pepper. FINISH: Medium length, with milk chocolate, a touch of red pepper, and a hint of oak. SUMMARY: The aroma and palate are so intricate that isolating specific notes is challenging, but it is absolutely DELICIOUS. This delivers what the Musician aims for but falls short on. This is an excellent whiskey. RATING: My personal rating system has eight tiers, with 8 being the highest. I award this an 8, designating it as 'Mighty Fine.' This corresponds to 5 stars, or 100/100, or 10/10.

Nose: Plenty of nice vanilla and a deep, subtly spiced wood essence, blending seamlessly with a robust, dark cherry. The cherry and wood complement each other beautifully, both dark and full-bodied, enhanced by that pleasant herbal spice. There's even a hint of bubblegum present. Palate and Finish: Lovely palate and a pleasant finish. Considering the 59% ABV, this pour is remarkably smooth. It delivers delightful notes of wood and vanilla, accompanied by a rich syrup reminiscent of Luxardo cherries. A pleasing chocolate and cherry combination emerges, with the spice providing a wonderful backdrop to the conclusion. The finish persists for a good duration, growing sweeter and more approachable. It's an excellent choice for a winter evening, especially if you're seeking a bourbon. After roughly two minutes, a subtle fresh grain and spice note remains as it subsides. In summary, this is an outstanding pour from Still Austin. Its drinkability, despite the 59% ABV, is remarkable—it's the kind of beverage one could revisit frequently and is likely to be consumed more readily than anticipated!

Nose: The aroma is reminiscent of opening a can of cherry vanilla soda. A sweet perfume of cherry and vanilla fills the air, immediately bringing back recollections of enjoying a cold drink on a warm day. Palate: The spirit fully coats the mouth with a syrupy consistency. Brandied cherries are the primary flavor, akin to sipping the syrup from a jar of Luxardo cherries. This intense taste is complemented by a strong foundation of vanilla, forming a pleasing combination. Finish: The conclusion is extended and satisfying, with the flavors slowly fading to leave a persistent sensation. The lengthy finish feels like an encore, encouraging thought about the pleasing notes once again. To me, this is a genuinely outstanding whiskey. It is exceptionally sweet and pleasurable throughout. The elevated proof greatly enhances this spirit, as it is packed with flavor and endures for a long time. I'm a big admirer. I am eager to sample more from Still Austin.

NEAT AROMA - Rich notes of brown sugar and caramel, overlaid with oak and a touch of vanilla. PALATE - Thick mouthfeel. Brown sugar, caramel, vanilla. I detect some barrel char on the palate along with a noticeable rye spice kick. Agitating the liquid on the palate for a few seconds before swallowing helps to moderate that rye spice intensity. FINISH - Medium-long. On the back end, I experience a minty-dark chocolate note. BUY? While I know this is pricey given the age statement, allow me to explain. This is a craft distillery producing some of the finest whiskey in Texas (in my estimation), particularly for the cost. BUY AGAIN?? Absolutely. I find it drinks quite sweet despite the rye spice intensity. Additionally, there are single barrel versions of this available, which should add further interest.