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Last Updated on February 5, 2023 by Lydia Martin
If there’s one brand that would surely appeal to Scotch and bourbon drinkers, that’s no other than Balcones whisky.
Flavorful and sweet, buttery and smooth, and woody and spicy– that’s Balcones whisky in general.
If you’re interested in exploring this whisky brand, we’ve prepared a list of the best Balcones whisky bottles you should try.
So, drop what you’re doing and get your whisky glass. Let’s get started.
Top 10 Balcones Whisky Bottles (Ranked)
10. Balcones Brimstone
Average Price: approx. $56/750ml (Drizly)
Alcohol Content: 53% ABV
Why We Like It: The name Brimstone suggests that this is a very special blend of whisky– made with Texas scrub oak, giving it a powerful and distinct flavor.
But mind you – Balcones Brimstones is for those who like smoky drinks. It’s a bit like drinking from a barbecue smoker.
This is quite a drawback for some drinkers, but we love the experience.
9. Balcones True Blue
Average Price: approx. $55/750ml (Drizly)
Alcohol Content: 50% ABV
Why We Like It: This is a 100-proof version of the Balcones Baby Blue– bold and spicy blue corn whisky. We like it for slow sipping and mixing.
It might be referred to as a “corn whisky” due to its name, but it has lots to offer.
If you want rich and complex single malt whisky [1], we put our bet on this one.
It has a nice kick from the roasted corn, and it also has various other flavors, such as spicy cinnamon and butterscotch.
8. Balcones Tres Hombres Whisky
Average Price: approx. $59/750ml (Drizly)
Alcohol Content: 50% ABV
Why We Like It: The blend of apples, honey, and butter pastry dominates the delightful nose.
On the palate, it’s sweet and full of red grapes and brown sugar notes.
The finish is crisp and refreshing, giving a bit of fresh herb and ginger, wrapping up a delightful sip while leaving a remarkable experience.
At 100-proof, it’s an easy drink.
7. Balcones Lineage
Average Price: approx. $44/750ml (Drizly)
Alcohol Content: 47% ABV
Why We Like It: Made using local barley and the Golden Promise malt from Scotland, Balcones Lineage is aged in new American oak barrels.
This great summer sipper will leave you wanting more due to its flavor profile and smooth character.
It’s full of sweet and nutty flavors and has plenty of oak– from the nose to the finish.
6. Balcones Texas Pot Still Bourbon
Average Price: approx. $33/750ml (Drizly)
Alcohol Content: 46% ABV
Why We Like It: This is a very interesting blend of whisky. It has complex flavors but still keeps it from becoming too one-dimensional.
Made with Texas wheat, blue corn, and New Mexico’s malted barley, it was aged in charred American oak barrels, where the whisky gets its caramel and sweet corn flavors.
5. Balcones Texas Blue Corn Bourbon
Average Price: approx. $61/750ml (MSRP)
Alcohol Content: 64.9% ABV
Why We Like It: This Texas Blue Corn Bourbon is a highly sought-after expression from the Balcones distillery, and it’s not hard to tell why.
It’s a bold, rich, and powerful blend ideal for any occasion. A great sipper, this one is full of flavors.
The blue corn adds a bit of a surprise to this bottle, and it’s also very smooth and spicy.
4. Balcones FR Oak Texas Single Malt Whisky
Average Price: approx. $116/750ml (Drizly)
Alcohol Content: 61.9% ABV
Why We Like It: This special release from Balcones is a blend of old-world traditions and Texas whisky from the classic ingredients.
The aroma of clove, stone fruit, and thyme is a delight to the nose.
“Now, we couldn’t be prouder to have created these award-winning American Single Malt and Texas whiskies, but also to have helped initiate an exciting new era of whisk(e)y in Texas.”
— Greg Allen, Balcones Distilling Chairman
The notes of dark chocolate, baked fruit, and toasted malt bring pleasure to the palate.
Also, the smooth and lingering finish brings satisfaction. We enjoyed the bottle so much, and so should you.
3. Balcones Texas Single Malt
Average Price: approx. $70/750ml (Drizly)
Alcohol Content: 53% ABV
Why We Like It: This is the closest thing you’ll get to drink from the Balcones range if you’re a fan of Scottish whisky.
It is made from 100% malted barley and then aged in oak barrels for two years.
So this is a rich, sweet, nutty whisky, making it very pleasurable to drink.
2. Balcones Baby Blue
Average Price: approx. $44/750ml (Drizly)
Alcohol Content: 46% ABV
Why We Like It: Balcones Baby Blue may taste young compared to the others, but it was a really good sip.
Made from roasted blue corn, it delivers a nuance of flavors.
We like how it is simple as others, so we recommend Balcones Baby Blue for beginners wanting to explore whiskies.
1. Balcones Texas Rye
Average Price: approx. $43/750ml (Drizly)
Alcohol Content: 50% ABV
Why We Like It: This is a great blend of whisky for those who like a simple, sweet, and slightly spicy sipper.
If you want something that’s not too complex, with a subtle flavor profile, this is it.
At 100-proof, it gives a beautiful kind of booze, along with its tasty and sugary profile. The rye spice is satisfying, giving an exceptional drinking experience.
FAQs
What kind of whiskey is Balcones?
Balcones is a single malt whisky that uses pure malted barley on its mash [2] bill.
It features a timeless style of producing expressions using classic techniques and ingredients.
How do you drink Balcones whisky?
You can drink Balcones whisky neat, but adding ice can bring out extra flavors.
In Summary
All things considered – the flavor, character, and finish – Balcones Texas Rye is the best among the brand, and you can expect an ultimate sipping experience.
Newbies and professionals will surely find this spirit equally savory and satisfying– not too harsh, balanced flavors, smooth finish, and rightfully proofed.
However, for someone into more complex drinks or high-proof spirits, opt for the True Blue, FR Oak, or the Blue Corn Bourbon.
In short, Balcones has a lot to offer– catering to many drinkers’ preferences and styles.
References:
- https://www.forbes.com/sites/georgekoutsakis/2020/05/31/what-exactly-is-a-single-malt-whisky/
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/mash
Lydia Martin hails from Redmond, Washington, where you’ll find some of the best cocktail bars and distilleries that offer a great mix of local drinks. She used to work as a bar manager in Paris and is a self-taught mixologist whose passion for crafting unique cocktails led her to create Liquor Laboratory. Lydia can whip up a mean Margarita in seconds! Contact at [email protected] or learn more about us here.
