Balcones Texas Pot Still Bourbon Review

Meet the latest addition to the Balcones core-line: the Balcones Texas Pot Still Bourbon. Made from a 4-grain mash (corn, wheat, rye and barley) and aged for at least 24 months, this is their fourth, major, bourbon release... that I know of. Though unlike the Blue Corn Bourbon, Wheated Bourbon and High Rye Bourbon, this guy is going to be available year-round... hence being core-line. :)

I'm a big fan of Balcones and I love seeing what they do and what they bring out. I love when Winston (their National Distillery Ambassador) comes to town and we get to taste what's new and hear about what's happening in the distillery. They're among the most exciting craft distillers in the game. Needless to say, especially with an intro like that, I'm excited to be digging into this bourbon review.

Balcones Texas Pot Still Bourbon Review: Details and Tasting Notes

Big flavors have always been the cornerstone of our prized Texas Whiskies, and Texas Pot Still Bourbon is no exception. Made grain-to-glass using a traditional pot still distillation ensures a rich and viscous spirit that stands up to aging in new charred oak without losing its essence. Each dram is full of character and body, with an aromatic entry and soft finish, for an approachable yet memorable experience.

Balcones Texas Pot Still Bourbon Review: Details (price, mash bill, cask type, ABV, etc.)

Region: Texas, USA

Distiller: Balcones
Mash Bill: Roasted Blue Corn (at least 51%), Texas Wheat, Texas Rye and Malted Barley
Cask: New Charred Oak
Age: 2+ Years
ABV: 46%

Batch: TPSB19-1

Non-Chill Filtered | Natural Color

Price: $30*

Balcones Texas Pot Still Bourbon Review: Tasting Notes

NOSE
Cocoa, corn, vanilla, muted spice, caramel, cornbread sweetness and a touch of buttercream, nutmeg, chalk and wood.

PALATE
Cocoa, vanilla, chalk, orange peels, popcorn, cinnamon, maple icing and some bit of nutmeg, wood and herbal notes.

FINISH
Medium-long -> Cocoa, vanilla, spice, char and wood.

BALANCE, BODY & FEEL
Decent balance, med-full body and a dry chalky feel.

Balcones Texas Pot Still Bourbon Review: Overall and Score

An interesting bourbon that's wholly unique to Balcones. Aroma is a wave of dry cocoa and spice with undercurrents of sweetness and bits of wood. Palate also has a strong dry cocoa profile pushed along by other sweet notes and, again, the woody notes are low but steady. The finish starts cocoa and fades out to a raw woody profile.

I say wood instead of oak because it's not like the deep old oakiness of a classic bourbon, but more of a green wood profile. Not the sawdusty raw wood of many craft whiskies, but something in between.

The Balcones Texas Pot Still Bourbon is good, and I enjoy it, but if I'm honest, I like the Balcones Brimstone and the Balcones Single Malt more. I find more depth and complexity in them. That said, this is still a definite must-have for any Balcones fan or adventurous drinker. It's a really good compliment to the Balcones Rye. Which, if you haven't had, is also worth keeping an eye out for.

SCORE: 85/100 (B)

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