A Chameleon for the Enthusiast
Great With Almost Any Cigar, in Cocktails or as/with Dessert!
Photo courtesy of Balcones Distilling
Whiskey Reviewed: Balcones Texas Rye
Distiller: Balcones
Region: Texas
Suggested Retail Price $45
ABV: 50%
Distiller Rating: 85
Drink Me Mag Rating: 96
Mark’s Review
When is a rye NOT rye?
When it’s made from layers of different rye species (like chocolate rye). It’s a blend that creates a melange of flavors unlike the spicy pepper spirit you’re used to. Combine all those grains and store the whisky in new charred oak barrels and you now have many scents booming from the glass.
Then as you taste, vanilla to chocolate and dark sugar all try to impress your palate. The swirling nature of flavors make this and ideal spirit to sip. You can also add a few drops of water to enhance the chameleon aspect.
This whisky entices you to expand your cocktail art. Try a new twist on an old fashioned instead use chocolate bitters and molasses! Go easy on the later (1/2 Tsp) and a bit heavier (2-3x the usual) on the former. The 100 proof (50% ABV) will ensure that this alcohol forward drink retains a balanced flavor profile.
An after dinner Irish Coffee with Balcones Rye will bring “wows” to your guests faces. You can even adjust their sweet/strength ratio to fit personal palates. Try doing this with other ryes!
This unique spirit changes the standard belief on how to use/enjoy rye. It will impress any Enthusiast. It’s also one of those rare ryes that pars well with a mild or strong cigar. Whether straight, with or without water or in a pre/post dinner mixed drink, enjoy this however you want!
Mark Garbin’s Evaluation
| Aromas & Flavor Appeals to: | Optimal Client Type | Great For: |
| Subtlety Aficionado | Apprentice | Cocktails |
| Power Flavor Admirer | Enthusiast | Neat Before Dinner |
| Balanced Devotee | Adventurer | With Food |
| Chameleon Lover | Hedonist | Dessert or Afterwards |
Distiller.com Tasting Notes: The nose offers apple pie topped with a cinnamon crumble crust. Also find mushy overripe apples with green oak, spice, & pumpernickel bread. The palate is somewhat hot on entry & showcases cacao nibs, tobacco, dark chocolate, and malt. A fleeting but robust finish brings dry oak, cedar, sawdust, menthol, brown sugar, & more malty dark chocolate. – Jake Emen
DrinkMeMag Review: This new addition to the Balcones line offers a sumptuous nose, rich in aroma. Freshly cut leather, tobacco and cracked black pepper are held together by a fragrant Ceylon tea and sweet cedar oak. The palate offers toffee popcorn, sugar coated macadamia nuts and a touch of white pepper. As the nuttiness fades, a dark chocolate and charred caramel find their way onto the palate for a long harmonious finish.