Balcones Single Malt Review

Balcones Texas Single Malt is called such because it's Balcones' Single Malt and they're located in Texas... it's a pretty self-explanatory name. Though unlike Scottish single malts, and most single malts around the world, this one is not aged in barrels previously used to age other spirits. It is instead aged in new charred oak, which gives the single malt a bigger bolder punch than you might normally find in 100% malt based whiskey.

Balcones, like Corsair, has gained a reputation for being a craft whiskey maker who excels at doing things a bit differently than everyone else and turns out great results time and time again. Their experiments and core line up both have gained them a large number of fans which grows as they continue to push the boundaries of what it means to be an American craft whiskey maker. Now on to the Balcones Texas Single Malt review!

Balcones Single Malt Review: Details and Tasting Notes

A timeless style of malt whisky, Balcones "1" Texas Single Malt breathes new life into centuries of distilling tradition with classic techniques and ingredients adapted for New World tastes. Opening aromas bear hints of toffee and overripe fruits. On the palate, layers of toasted malt and honey give way to mellow notes of baked pears and apples. A long finish is accompanied by cinnamon and cloves. Texas made, Texas proud, we hope you enjoy the whisky we owe our success to as much as we enjoy making it.

Balcones Single Malt Review: Details (price, mash bill, cask type, ABV, etc.)

Region: Texas, USA

Batch: SM 15-2

Non-Chill Filtered | Natural Color

Price: $90*

Balcones Single Malt Review: Tasting Notes

NOSE
Cocoa, malt, char, butterscotch, dried dark fruit, copper, baking spice and oak.

PALATE
Cocoa, caramel, char, dried dark fruit, x-mas spice, roasted nuts, oak and bits of copper and menthol.

FINISH
Medium -> Cocoa, dark fruit, char and menthol.

BALANCE, BODY & FEEL
Decent balance, medium body and it runs a bit hot but comes through oily.

Balcones Single Malt Review: Overall and Score

If I boiled it down to a single note I'd say this smells and tastes like Riesen candy. It's definitely more complex than that, but it's the singular thing that resonates with me the most across this whiskey.

Aroma is heavy with cocoa notes layered with other dark sweets, deeper charred and spicy notes. Palate and finish follow a similar profile carrying a charry ashy dryness along with the sweetness and the spiciness.

There is an oaky/woody character here that swings from old oak to sawdust and that raw lumber craft character popping up now and then is the one point of the Balcones Single Malt I'm not a fan of. Outside of that raw woody note, this is a good whiskey and one I'm always happy to drink.

SCORE: 86/100 (B)

*Disclosure: This Balcones Texas Single Malt was graciously sent to me by the company for the purposes of this review. The views, opinions, and tasting notes are 100% my own.