Meet the latest addition to the Balcones core-line: the Balcones Texas Pot Still Bourbon. Made from a 4-grain mash (corn, wheat, rye and barley) and aged for at least 24 months, this is their fourth, major, bourbon release… that I know of. Though unlike the Blue Corn Bourbon, Wheated Bourbon and High Rye Bourbon, this guy is going to be available year-round… hence being core-line. :)
I’m a big fan of Balcones and I love seeing what they do and what they bring out. I love when Winston (their National Distillery Ambassador) comes to town and we get to taste what’s new and hear about what’s happening in the distillery. They’re among the most exciting craft distillers in the game. Needless to say, especially with an intro like that, I’m excited to be digging into this bourbon review.
Balcones Texas Pot Still Bourbon Review: Details and Tasting Notes
Big flavors have always been the cornerstone of our prized Texas Whiskies, and Texas Pot Still Bourbon is no exception. Made grain-to-glass using a traditional pot still distillation ensures a rich and viscous spirit that stands up to aging in new charred oak without losing its essence. Each dram is full of character and body, with an aromatic entry and soft finish, for an approachable yet memorable experience.
Balcones Texas Pot Still Bourbon Review: Details (price, mash bill, cask type, ABV, etc.)
Region: Texas, USA
Distiller: Balcones
Mash Bill: Roasted Blue Corn (at least 51%), Texas Wheat, Texas Rye and Malted Barley
Cask: New Charred Oak
Age: 2+ Years
ABV: 46%
Non-Chill Filtered | Natural Color
Batch: TPSB19-1
Price: $30*
Balcones Texas Pot Still Bourbon Review: Tasting Notes
EYE
Dark copper
NOSE
Cocoa, corn, vanilla, muted spice, caramel, cornbread sweetness and a touch of buttercream, nutmeg, chalk and wood.
PALATE
Cocoa, vanilla, chalk, orange peels, popcorn, cinnamon, maple icing and some bit of nutmeg, wood and herbal notes.
FINISH
Medium-long -> Cocoa, vanilla, spice, char and wood.
BALANCE, BODY & FEEL
Decent balance, med-full body and a dry chalky feel.
Balcones Texas Pot Still Bourbon Review: Overall and Score
An interesting bourbon that’s wholly unique to Balcones. Aroma is a wave of dry cocoa and spice with undercurrents of sweetness and bits of wood. Palate also has a strong dry cocoa profile pushed along by other sweet notes and, again, the woody notes are low but steady. The finish starts cocoa and fades out to a raw woody profile.
I say wood instead of oak because it’s not like the deep old oakiness of a classic bourbon, but more of a green wood profile. Not the sawdusty raw wood of many craft whiskies, but something in between.
The Balcones Texas Pot Still Bourbon is good, and I enjoy it, but if I’m honest, I like the Balcones Brimstone and the Balcones Single Malt more. I find more depth and complexity in them. That said, this is still a definite must-have for any Balcones fan or adventurous drinker. It’s a really good compliment to the Balcones Rye. Which, if you haven’t had, is also worth keeping an eye out for.
SCORE: 85/100 (B)
*Disclosure: This Balcones Texas Pot Still Bourbon was graciously sent to me by the company for the purposes of this review. The views, opinions, and tasting notes are 100% my own.
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Balcones Texas Pot Still Bourbon Review Summary
Balcones Texas Pot Still Bourbon is good, interesting and unique, but missing some of the depth, complexity and excitement in some of their other releases. Though for the price, it’s hard to pass up and makes one heck of an Old Fashioned.
Overall
- Nose - 85
- Palate - 85
- Finish - 85
- Balance, Body & Feel - 85
User Review
( votes)( reviews)
Hi Josh,
I received this for Christmas and finally popped the cork. My first impression was not good. I let it sit in the cabinet and I am glad I did. While not my new favorite it is not bad. Neat for me has been the best. I find it easy to sip and can taste the wood as well. I will definitely look for the rye per your recommendation.
I moved this one to being more of a cocktail bourbon for me, but I do still enjoy a neat pour now and then. The rye though, that I’m still digging straight up. Thanks for sharing your thoughts Mark. Cheers!
Does anyone know the proof of the Balcones Texas Pot Still Bourbon, I did not see it on the label? (46% alc. by vol)…
Hi Harry. Proof is just 2x the ABV, so with this one it’s 92. Cheers!
“Wood” not recommended
I am not impressed with this and definitely wouldn’t have guessed it was a bourbon. I definitely agree with the green wood description, and my initial thoughts were that it was like if someone took a glass of water than had been sitting in a bucket of sticks and threw a shot of Crown Royal into it. Not much of a body, and mostly a hollow wood taste.
Thanks for sharing!
I agree with the green wood comment, I definitely taste that. It’s also very malty like an Irish whisky. It’s good, but in a blind tasting I would never guess it to be a bourbon.
I don’t think I would either. Cheers Mac!
Wow, $30 for a Balcones! I’ll have to give it a try if I can find it. I like most the Balcones I’ve tried.
I was shocked by the price too :) Hope you get to try it. Cheers Chad!
I have to try their boutbons: especially the ‘high rye’ is it’s going to be released again? I didn’t care much for the ‘baby blue’ but I think that was just me: I don’t think I like corn whiskey. And I have to say: whoever designs their labels is great!!
Hey Jon,
I don’t know if they’re going to release it again, but I hope they do. I’m going to visit the distillery in May. I’ll see if I can get them to tell me :D Cheers!
When I was in TX last summer they wanted a small fortune for pours of the Balcones Rye at couple of bars I went to and another place didn’t offer the Rye in their Balcones samplers… But the Brimstone was better than I remembered and I liked their single malt. I was not a fan of the Baby Blue either… Wasn’t bad just came across as odd to me, maybe if I had a full bottle to go through it would grow on me…
Do you happen to remember if they were pouring the cask strength rye or the 100 proof? The 100 Proof is the “mass market” one that went out. The CS was only available in TX and was a limited run. That might be part of the reason… or the bars were just being jerks about pouring something new :/