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Whiskey Review: Balcones Brimstone

We review Balcones Brimstone, a smoked corn whisky that exemplifies Texas terroir.

OVERALL RATING

  • Margarett Waterbury is a whiskey enthusiast and industry expert.
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Balcones Brimstone

Tasting Notes

About:

Appearance:
Dark, leathery brown with a syrupy texture
Nose:
Powerfully evocative of barbecue plate lunch, with notes of salty roasted meat, elote, and sweet spice alongside an intense smoky aroma. Initially there’s a not-unpleasant varnish note in the smoke, something like burning pressure-treated wood, but it’s intriguing, not repulsive.
Palate:
The palate is likewise intense, sweet, salty, and smoky, like dipping your finger into the leftover powder at the bottom of the chili cheese Frito bag. There are notes of roasted corn kernels, French roast coffee beans, unsweetened cocoa, and heavy steak rub. Finish: Extraordinarily long and persistent, the kind of whisky you can almost taste the next day. Conclusion This is an enormous, delicious, and very strange whisky. A big part of its charm, for me, is the sheer intensity it offers. Despite its over-proof strength, the addition of water did it no favors; much of the sweetness vanished, and some of the more chemically aspects of the smoke were accentuated. It’s probably not for everybody, but if you’re looking for Texas-sized flavor, this is your match. Totally unique and yet it works. FINAL SCORE: 90/100
Finish:
Extraordinarily long and persistent, the kind of whisky you can almost taste the next day.
Comments:

Editor’s Note: This whiskey was either bought as a sample by The Whiskey Wash or provided to us as a review sample by the party behind it. Per our editorial policies, this in no way influenced the outcome of this review.

Margarett Waterbury

Margarett Waterbury is the author of "Scotch: A Complete Introduction to Scotland's Whiskies" and a full-time freelance writer and editor specializing in the beverage industry. Her work has graced the pages of numerous publications, including Whisky Advocate, Food and Wine, Spirited Magazine, Artisan Spirit, Edible Seattle, Sip Northwest, Civil Eats, Travel Oregon, and many others. She also boasts editorial experience as the former managing editor of Edible Portland and as a co-founder and former managing editor of The Whiskey Wash. In recognition of her talent, Margarett received the Alan Lodge Young Drinks Writer of the Year award in 2017 and was awarded fellowships for the Symposium for Professional Wine Writers in 2017 and 2019.

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