Origin: Texas (USA)
Type: Straight Corn Whisky
Gradation: 63.1%ABV
Ageing casks: American Virgin Charred Casks
Chillfiltered: No
Additional Coloring: No
Owner: Balcones Distilling
Average price: € 60.00
Official website: balconesdistilling.com
Vote: 84/100
Annual cask strength edition made from toasted blue corn, sister of the one with a “more human” gradation of 50%ABV, which thanks to the unusual source material has made its way in the hearts of whiskey enthusiasts.
There is also a version declared as Bourbon.
This specific bottle is part of the TBC 19-1 batch, bottled in June 2019, and it’s a very young whisky, with an ageing of more than two years but not much more.
Tasting notes
Intense grenade in the glass.
On the nose it is very soft, almost clothed I’d say like some sweet cheese, with veins of nutmeg, citrus, anise, licorice, maple syrup. Pencil chips and toasted hazelnuts in the background. On the length, an intense note of caramel emerges, while alcohol is completely absent. Very full and pleasant.
Explosion of spices at the entrance, driven by the strong (but not too much) alcohol, on a palate sweetening of brown sugar, caramel syrup, cherries in spirit, candied orange zest, wood wax. This sugary wave is balanced by tones of tobacco, dark chocolate, a pinch of anise. The roughness of the wood is the common thread in the background.
Not very long, dry finish, of citrus, licorice, anise, wood.
Surprising in keeping the gradation under control, it offers a full and lively experience although not particularly rich, which tends a little to get lost on the length, fraying in the primary tones of the tasting.