American Bourbon By Nino Marchetti / October 5, 2016 The story of Texas craft whiskey, up to this point, has mostly been written by Garrison Brothers and Balcones Distilling. The latter, widely known for its American single malt, also produces a line of corn-based whiskies which see less frequent release. Balcones has just now announced the 2016 batches of three of these are available starting this month, provided you are in their home state to get hold of one.True Blue Cask Strength, True Blue 100, and Texas Blue Corn Bourbon, says Balcones, will be available in select retail and on-premise markets in Texas. Here are some footnotes on these releases, including tasting notes for each from the distillery:True Blue Cask Strength Straight Corn Whisky (65.7% ABV)100% blue corn mashbottled as Straight Corn Whisky, marking the first time it’s been released with any indication of agebiggest release of this bottling evernot chill filteredNose: cookie dough, juniper, thyme, walnut shells, cinnamon, burnt sugar, cigar boxPalate: marmalade, burnt toast, dried apricot, caramelized sugar, carrot cakeFinish: long and lingering, brown sugar, tannin and oakTrue Blue 100 Straight Corn Whisky (50% ABV)100% blue corn mashbottled as Straight Corn Whisky, marking the first time it’s been released with any indication of agenot chill filteredNose: melted butter, pralines, toffee, pear skin, orange zest, ginger, vanillaPalate: treacle, black pepper, fresh cut lumber, grilled poblano, agave syrupFinish: medium long with char, citrus, ginger, eucalyptusTexas Blue Corn Bourbon Straight Bourbon Whisky (64.9% ABV)100% blue corn mashthis year is only its second release everaged in new charred oaknatural cask strength of 64.9%not chill filteredsaw an increase in age, allowing it to be labeled as Straight BourbonNose: blue cotton candy, smoke, Mexican cola, burnt toffee, leather, sandalwood, milk oolongPalate: spice cake, coffee, apple crisp, hot cinnamon candies, tobacco, tea leavesFinish: long with mouth watering acidity, light tannin, dark cocao, burnt sugar“These special releases are all made in very small quantities and will be tightly allocated,” said Winston Edwards of Balcones in a prepared statement. “To get your hands on them, speak to your preferred retailer, or request your favorite bar to carry them. While we wish we could promise everyone a bottle, it’s just not possible at these volumes. Thankfully, we’re laying down a lot more whisky these days in our new distillery, so in time we will have plenty to share with you!”
