Thank you for the review. Trying so hard to get the notes others are able to find. I think it’s just a me thing, this bottle continues to win awards worldwide.
I remember when several other channels named Woodford Wheat Whiskey as a top bottle of the year when it came out. It was, and still is, a bottle that I can't enjoy in any capacity (Julie loves it). It just tastes like grass clippings to me. If we all had the same taste buds, whiskey tasting wouldn't be any fun! Thanks again for giving us the opportunity to try this whiskey. Cheers!
I have only had one Balcones whiskey, a cask strength single barrel single malt, finished in some kind of wine barrel. I believe it was aged 58 months. I sort of got used to it by the end of the bottle, but I don't think I want another bottle or anything else from Balcones after that. There are so many things I would enjoy way more for the $70ish bucks I paid for it. I wouldn't have guessed it was a single malt. Tasted closer to a young hot bourbon to me. Grass and grapes.
Great review I always enjoy your particular brand of tasting and some of the very distinctive whiskies that you all bring to the table is refreshing and thanks so much. Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours and safe travels.
Nice review! I really like this bottle, but I do love Texas American Single Malt's. Not my favorite Balcones bottle (that would be Lost Lantern's Single Malt).
I'm in Rockford, IL. Are you doing anymore meet and greets while you are in Chicago? I would love to meet you both. I missed you at whiskey acres a few weeks ago.
We're trying to put something together at Delilah's for the first week in December. If you're a free or paid member of our Patreon community, we'll be posting it there as soon as we have a date and time. www.patreon.com/thebourbonvan
Spent 6 years working - and sometimes living in Waco between 2014 and 2020. I have yet to try anything from Balcones due to mixed reviews. I suppose I should try something from them 🤔.
We recommend their American Single Malt. At 108 proof, it's got plenty of flavor, an amazing nose, and an elongated finish. It stands up nicely to a few drops of water, or even an ice cube in summer.
My wife and I visited Waco on what I called a “Magnolia Pilgrimmage” (Chip & Joanna Gaines’ complex). As part of that quite enjoyable trip, we visited Balcones, and I strongly recommend touring their distillery and tasting what’s on hand. Balcones is one of the first Texas craft distillers (now celebrating 15th anniversary) and due to the climate, they’ve always produced unique products. I would call Balcones products an acquired taste, albeit one I enjoyed right away. Sitting in their earthy distillery and doing comparative tasting will quickly reveal what you prefer. Their Baby Blue (blue corn) whisky and their ryes are really quite unique and as stated here, are “thinkers.” Try their smoked whisky called “Brimstone” if, like me, you like Islay whiskies with a Texas BBQ/tobacco chili pepper twist. Sit with it awhile. And if you’re in town, go back and try again. Balcones does a good job! 😊
Balcones makes me sad. I have always wanted to love it. I like their story, love their bottle shape, love everything about it except for that Texas funk that I just can't get past.
Just ordered a bottle of this and a few other things as a get-well-soon present to myself after just getting out of hospital following a triple bypass (CABG). As a lover of Scottish single malts (and some amazing sherry bombs from time to time) the complexity of this really intrigued me. Also ordered a bottle of Sagamore Sherry Finished Rye, and Westward Cask Strength Single Malt. Love you guys!! Haven’t really been following TH-cam stuff as much, but always love checking in from time to time. 🤗
Paul! We're so glad you're feeling well enough to think about whiskey again. We hope you love each and every one of those whiskeys. The Cataleja has really grown on us. We can even confirm that it will be on our Best Whiskeys of the Year list. Sending much love to THUNDER BAY ONTARIOOOO.
@ thanks guys…so much. Was just discharged yesterday (surgery was on the 28th of November), and I am feeling remarkably well. The whiskies will be a small treat for the New Year when back in THUNDER BAY (as I’m staying with my family in Toronto for a little while). Cheers Phil and Julie!
Julie's Bracket: thebourbonvan.com/2024-whiskey-tournament-julies-bracket/ Phil's Bracket: thebourbonvan.com/2024-whiskey-tournament-phils-bracket/
Thank you for the review. Trying so hard to get the notes others are able to find. I think it’s just a me thing, this bottle continues to win awards worldwide.
I remember when several other channels named Woodford Wheat Whiskey as a top bottle of the year when it came out. It was, and still is, a bottle that I can't enjoy in any capacity (Julie loves it). It just tastes like grass clippings to me. If we all had the same taste buds, whiskey tasting wouldn't be any fun! Thanks again for giving us the opportunity to try this whiskey. Cheers!
I have only had one Balcones whiskey, a cask strength single barrel single malt, finished in some kind of wine barrel. I believe it was aged 58 months. I sort of got used to it by the end of the bottle, but I don't think I want another bottle or anything else from Balcones after that. There are so many things I would enjoy way more for the $70ish bucks I paid for it. I wouldn't have guessed it was a single malt. Tasted closer to a young hot bourbon to me. Grass and grapes.
You hit the nail on the head when you described this whiskey as a thinker and discussion piece. Loved that!
Such a funky whiskey. Love it! Have wonderful Thanks Giving.
Happy Thanksgiving! Thank you for the review.
I would love to try one day but probably won’t pay 125. Appreciate the review
Sounds interesting, I’m getting into American single malts, liked what I tried from Balcones.
Nice review! Great advice on unusual pours. I always go back to pours I don’t care for every 3-4 weeks until I get down to the shoulder.
Great review I always enjoy your particular brand of tasting and some of the very distinctive whiskies that you all bring to the table is refreshing and thanks so much. Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours and safe travels.
Nice review! I really like this bottle, but I do love Texas American Single Malt's. Not my favorite Balcones bottle (that would be Lost Lantern's Single Malt).
Happy Katz Giving!! 😺 #TeamMavis
I'm in Rockford, IL. Are you doing anymore meet and greets while you are in Chicago? I would love to meet you both. I missed you at whiskey acres a few weeks ago.
We're trying to put something together at Delilah's for the first week in December. If you're a free or paid member of our Patreon community, we'll be posting it there as soon as we have a date and time. www.patreon.com/thebourbonvan
@ I just joined. Thank you for the link and the heads up! My birthday is Monday so hopefully I'll see you both that week. Cheers!
Spent 6 years working - and sometimes living in Waco between 2014 and 2020. I have yet to try anything from Balcones due to mixed reviews. I suppose I should try something from them 🤔.
We recommend their American Single Malt. At 108 proof, it's got plenty of flavor, an amazing nose, and an elongated finish. It stands up nicely to a few drops of water, or even an ice cube in summer.
My wife and I visited Waco on what I called a “Magnolia Pilgrimmage” (Chip & Joanna Gaines’ complex). As part of that quite enjoyable trip, we visited Balcones, and I strongly recommend touring their distillery and tasting what’s on hand. Balcones is one of the first Texas craft distillers (now celebrating 15th anniversary) and due to the climate, they’ve always produced unique products. I would call Balcones products an acquired taste, albeit one I enjoyed right away. Sitting in their earthy distillery and doing comparative tasting will quickly reveal what you prefer. Their Baby Blue (blue corn) whisky and their ryes are really quite unique and as stated here, are “thinkers.” Try their smoked whisky called “Brimstone” if, like me, you like Islay whiskies with a Texas BBQ/tobacco chili pepper twist. Sit with it awhile. And if you’re in town, go back and try again. Balcones does a good job! 😊
Oh yeah, Bumpus Hell was a nice little hike and the first sight of it was, "woah, beam me up Scotty and "
This is a pretty cool bottle. Those puncheons are like 80-100 years old. Basically dating back to WW2, this is history in a bottle.
Balcones makes me sad. I have always wanted to love it. I like their story, love their bottle shape, love everything about it except for that Texas funk that I just can't get past.
Looks like Anatolia Bliss on the backsplash
After Chip left i haven't tried their stuff
This is my Whisky of the Year for 2024. The only other whisky that taste anything like this is Edradour at Cask Strength.
I really like the Cataleja! Nice bottle. I did go find this bottle after SLB's video lol. I had to drive to Illinois, to Binny's to find it :)
Just ordered a bottle of this and a few other things as a get-well-soon present to myself after just getting out of hospital following a triple bypass (CABG). As a lover of Scottish single malts (and some amazing sherry bombs from time to time) the complexity of this really intrigued me. Also ordered a bottle of Sagamore Sherry Finished Rye, and Westward Cask Strength Single Malt. Love you guys!! Haven’t really been following TH-cam stuff as much, but always love checking in from time to time. 🤗
Paul! We're so glad you're feeling well enough to think about whiskey again. We hope you love each and every one of those whiskeys. The Cataleja has really grown on us. We can even confirm that it will be on our Best Whiskeys of the Year list. Sending much love to THUNDER BAY ONTARIOOOO.
@ thanks guys…so much. Was just discharged yesterday (surgery was on the 28th of November), and I am feeling remarkably well. The whiskies will be a small treat for the New Year when back in THUNDER BAY (as I’m staying with my family in Toronto for a little while). Cheers Phil and Julie!