Legendary Rockers ZZ Top Debut New Whiskey Crafted By Balcones Distilling

Rock & Roll Hall of Famers, ZZ Top, and Balcones Distilling recently announced their collaboration on a one-of-a-kind whiskey.

With what’s described as a strong mutual Texas heritage and love of whiskey, the rockin’ partnership focuses on a grain-to-glass approach to create a new whiskey called Tres Hombres, which is also the title of the band’s first top 10 chart album released in 1973.

Balcones distillers, in tribute to the band’s enduring legacy, used three distinct grains when building Tres Hombres … roasted blue corn, barley and rye.

Balcones Tres Hombres (image via Balcones Distilling)

Founded in Houston in 1969, ZZ Top has been synonymous with Texas for more than five decades of recording and touring. Known for their signature blues-rock sound, ZZ Top has put on some of the highest-grossing international concert tours of all time.

In the 50 years since the band’s founding, ZZ Top has created 15 studio albums and sold an estimated 50 million albums worldwide. Along the way, they’ve been named Official Heroes of the State of Texas and have won three MTV Video Music Awards.

Carl Stubner, ZZ Top’s manager, said in a prepared statement, “ZZ Top’s love of Texas runs deep and we can’t think of a better way to celebrate that than by creating something together with Balcones. Tres Hombres exemplifies what can be achieved when brands care deeply about their respective products and legacy.”

Jared Himstedt, head distiller at Balcones Distilling, said it was quite meaningful to collaborate with the ZZ Top team to develop an exclusive whiskey that celebrates what’s noted as ZZ Top’s and Balcones’ shared Texas roots.

“To actually get to taste through the blending process with ZZ Top and make a whisky that synthesizes our joint vision for Tres Hombres was an honor,” he said. “ZZ are Texas and Rock legends, and we can’t wait to share Tres Hombres with folks.”

Tres Hombres, bottled at 50% ABV and pricing around $60, rolls out to liquor stores across Texas and select other states in mid-November. Official tasting notes are below.

• NOSE – Evaporative and spritely with aromas of honeycrisp apples and buttered pastry; hint of suede and whiteflower honey
• TASTE – Sweet and coating with good acidity, brown sugar and red grapes
• FINISH – Effervescent with a bit of fresh ginger and sage