The first thing I noticed, and you might too if you pick up a bottle, is how chocolate heavy the Balcones Texas Rye is and it turns out there’s a reason for it. Released to celebrate their 10th Anniversary, Balcones used chocolate rye in the mashbill of their Texas Rye along with several other types of rye – all of which are listed in the Mash Bill below.
Several months ago I got to sit down with Winston from Balcones and taste a cask strength pre-release version of this along with some other tasty treats that they’re working on and it was cool to hear him talk about what they’re working on and how they’re experimenting with different grains and mash bills. But it’s even cooler to get to try the final result
Whiskey Review: Balcones Texas Rye
In Balcones’ Words: Balcones Texas Rye
“We are so proud to finally be releasing our first ever Texas Rye expression this year to celebrate our first decade as a Distillery. These two products – Cask Strength and 100 Proof Rye – are a culmination of several years of exploration in our distilling journey. We hope Balcones fans will enjoy them as much as we do.”
Balcones Texas Rye price, ABV, age and other details
Region: Texas, USA
Distiller: Balcones
Mash Bill: 100% Rye (Elbon rye from north Texas, Crystal rye, Chocolate rye, Roasted rye)
Cask: New Charred Oak
Age: NAS
ABV: 50%
Non-Chill Filtered | Natural Color
Price: $40
Balcones Texas Rye Tasting Notes
EYE
Caramel
NOSE
Young craft oak, orange zest, spice, cocoa, buttered popcorn and a bit of vanilla marshmallow, honey and grain.
PALATE
Cocoa, orange zest, coffee, young oak, vanilla, toffee and a bit of honey and char.
FINISH
Long -> Cocoa, Riesen candy, coffee, cocoa vanilla and char.
BALANCE, BODY & FEEL
Good balance, full body and a soft, slightly chalky, feel.
Balcones Texas Rye Review – OVERALL
Everything about the Balcones Texas Rye is decent. Not mind-blowing but decent, and more importantly, unique; I’ve never had a rye whiskey even close to this. The aroma is a youthful oaky, spicy and sweet profile whereas the palate is dominated by chocolate and supported by youthful oak and spice. The finish is the most interesting part and reminds me of those Riesen candies I had when I was a kid.
The longer it sits the more chocolatey it gets and with a bit of water some of the citrus notes pop a bit more and it kinda reminds me of those Chocolate Oranges. I don’t eat many sweets as an adult, but this whiskey is definitely hitting the sweet tooth of my younger self while not actually being a sweet whiskey. Interesting and tasty, I’m kinda digging the Balcones Texas Rye.
SCORE: 85/100 (B)
Balcones Texas Rye Review
- Nose - 85
- Palate - 85
- Finish - 85
- Balance, Body & Feel - 85
Balcones Texas Rye Review Summary
Balcones Texas Rye is a decent rye whiskey. Not exceptional, but the crazy chocolate notes give it a unique profile in the category. Well worth a try.