Bourbon/Rye Review #40 & 41: Balcones Pot Still Bourbon & Balcones American Single Malt

I am normally an advocate of skipping the whole craft scene. I have yet to have one that I liked and thought was priced appropriately. People really seem to love their Balcones so I am excited to try these. American single malt I have an even less favorable impression.

Balcones Pot Still
Balcones - 2 - Bourbon - Unknown  - Sample - $35  - 46%


This bourbon is distilled in a pot still instead of a column still.  Pot stills are usually only for Scotch (and required to be called scotch).  Traditionally a pot still will produce a lower alcohol spirit (~70%) than a column still, IIRC is about ~80%.  Lets see how this tastes

Color - Mahogany 

Nose - Corn, white fruit, butterscotch, vanilla

Taste - Caramel, white fruit, cinnamon, malt

Mouthfeel - Thin to medium

Finish - Red hots with syrup, cigar boxes

Finish Length - Medium

Overall - 3.5/7 - This is alright, not terrible for the price point.  I am not a big cinnamon whisky guy so it is not really up my alley.  The price isn't terrible but I cannot see myself buying this over Eagle Rare or Henry McKenna.  If I was in Texas, I would not hesitate to order this at a bar, but I don't think I would do that here.  

Balcones Single Malt
Balcones - NAS - American Single Malt - 100m - Sample - $60  - 53%

The color of this is the same color of a 25 year old sherried scotch.  Somehow I doubt that it is that age.  I am not sure if this is dyed this color or if it has some finish to it.  Their website was lacking on any real information.  I am assuming this was made in a pot still, so that is a good start.  53%, hmm, maybe this will be enjoyable.  The price point puts it at the level where I could buy every entry level scotch or pick up a bottle of Ugi, so lets see if it brings the ruckus.  

Color - Mahogany 

Nose - Stone fruit, cherry, vanilla, 

Taste - Spice, cinnamon, malt, caramel

Mouthfeel - Medium

Finish - Cinnamon, malt, spice, sandlewood

Finish Length - Medium

Overall - 3/7 - The nose is pretty muted on this one, not very expressive.  And that finish really threw me.  I think Jura superstition was the only scotch I have had that had strong cinnamon on this.  I am thinking that they aged these in wet ex-bourbon to get that much cinnamon.   I just don't love cinnamon that much and it is just too spicy for me to love.  Overall I don't dislike it, you get good mouthfeel/abv for the price. It is one of the better single malts I have, on par or better with the Westland I have had.  I just can't see me ordering this over a Scotch, unless all the bar had was "smooth" Scotch.  

Rating system is price influenced as it is based on my shopping decisions when buying a bottle.

7 Best in Show

6 Worthy of consistent spot in my collection

5 Worth picking up a bottle at MSRP

4 I might order at a bar

3 I would drink it happily if offered

2 Whiskey on the rocks

1 Flawed/astringent - I won't be drinking it again