WS#2 was a celebration of Balcones Distilling (est. 2008 in Waco), a fine introduction to the big, bold, rich whiskies that are becoming a Texas signature.
1. Balcones Baby Blue
46%. Corn whiskey. Made from 100% roasted heirloom Hopi blue corn. Aged in used, uncharred, five gallon barrels. The whisky has no age statement.
Blue corn has 20% more protein than yellow corn and is said to have a sweeter, nuttier taste (“rich and oily maize”).
$39
2. Balcones Texas Pot Still Bourbon
46%. Roasted blue corn, Texas sourced wheat and rye and malted barley.
2 years. Straight bourbon (aged for a minimum of 24 months) and matured in new charred barrels.
$30
3. Balcones Texas Rye
50% ABV. 100% Rye Mash. 80% Elbon Rye from North West Texas, accompanied by 20% of German-imported Crystal, Chocolate and Roasted Rye.
Maturation takes place in new American oak barrels with a medium (#3) char for between one and two years.
$40
4. Balcones Texas Single Malt Whisky
53%. Made with 100% Golden Promise malted barley from Scotland.
No age statement but believed to be between 12 and 24 months old. Matured in a variety of barrel sizes and then blended together and allowed to marry in ex-bourbon casks.
$69
53%. Made from the same spirit as roasted blue corn whisky, before being smoked with sun-baked Texas scrub oak. Aged in new charred oak.
$60
