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Bourbon Review: Balcones Texas Blue Corn Bourbon

We review Balcones Texas Blue Corn Bourbon, an heirloom blue corn spirit from one of the Lone Star State's best with explosive flavor.

OVERALL RATING

  • Savannah Weinstock is a whiskey enthusiast and industry professional.
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Balcones Texas Blue Corn Bourbon

Tasting Notes

About:

Appearance:
Richly amber in the glass like every other Balcones I’ve seen, Texas Blue Corn Bourbon looks just like its brethren.
Nose:
Less hot on the nose than its cask strength Staff Selection sibling, Texas Blue Corn quickly slides past the initial ethanol burn of its ABV and onto the real characteristics that define it. Burnt sugar atop rich, buttery spiced custard make for a creme brulee effect at first sniff. Baked pumpkin, young green pear, and vanilla bean-flecked cream combine to highlight a very autumnal nose. However, unlike most scents described as autumnal, Texas Blue Corn lacks the cliche “baking spices” element of the fall-forward nose—instead the rich, fatty, pumpkiny cream elements make for a unique and refined nose.
Palate:
On the palate, a big wave of salty, rich flavor that is deeply blue corn hits. Blue corn masa, cigars, and leather lend incredible body to the dram. The interplay between sweet and salty creates a pretzels-dipped-in-caramel element that is genuinely addicting. Texas Blue Corn is a sweet and savory taste bomb like no other. Finish: The finish is lingering salt, buttered toast, and oh so satisfying—a touch hot on the finish, but nothing like would be expected from a cask-strength whiskey. Conclusion: In my tasting notes for Balcones’ Texas Blue Corn Bourbon I wrote both that I could drink this spirit every day of my life and that “corn is the best!”, and I continue to stand by those comments. This whiskey is unlike any other I’ve tasted, and one that has incredible character in addition to an interesting backstory. Perfect for craft whiskey enthusiasts in addition to those seeking the highest quality drams available, this whiskey is a winner all around. An absolute star and a new classic in my book. FINAL SCORE: 95/100
Finish:
The finish is lingering salt, buttered toast, and oh so satisfying—a touch hot on the finish, but nothing like would be expected from a cask-strength whiskey.
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.

Savannah Weinstock

Savannah Weinstock is a graduate of Lewis & Clark College in Portland, Oregon, where her Environmental Studies thesis delved into the intersection of Scotch Whisky, sustainability, and the commodification of nature and culture. During her thesis research, she spent time living and studying in Glasgow, Scotland, visiting and interviewing distilleries across the country, with a particular focus on the Hebridean Isles. Savannah is currently immersed in the industry, gaining firsthand experience with whiskey, spirits, and cocktails on a daily basis.

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