Balcones Texas “1” Single Malt Whisky

Balcones Texas “1” Single Malt Whisky is a non-chill-filtered, 53% ABV bottle of Lone-Star awesomeness. You just have to love the charming, independent, and rebellious spirit of Texas. Balcones Distilling is based in Waco — just about half way between Dallas and Austin.

Texas is a big state, and they like everything big… big steaks, big trucks, big hats, and big flavors. Balcones is still a small distillery (thank goodness!), but it is filled with big ideas.

They hand-make a range of Whiskies, Rums, and mysterious fiddly things, all of which are unabashedly crafted with the big flavors they love.

But just because these Texas Spirits stand up and yell “Yeee-Haw!” doesn’t mean they they don’t have all the serious craftsmanship and quality you get in the big city or the fancy-dancy capitals of Europe. These Spirits are top notch, and they have the awards to prove it.

To say that Balcones Texas Single Malt is an “award winning” Whisky is like saying Jennifer Lawrence is mildly attractive or that New York has a professional baseball team. Many distilled Spirits are perfectly happy with three or four industry awards so that the marketing team can post silver and gold images on the website. In comparison, Balcones Texas Single Malt Whisky is darn-near a phenomenon, winning more 50 — fifty! — awards. They have more bling then Mr. T.

The fact that a world-class Single-malt Whisky can be born in Texas still surprises some of the elitist snobs who care more about Gaelic and French-sounding names than they do about the dram. For the rest of us, Balcones Texas Single Malt Whisky is a non-chill-filtered, 53% ABV bottle of Lone-Star awesomeness. The score is Balcones – 50, Whisky snobs – 0.

Balcones Texas “1” Single Malt Whisky guided tasting: Brad Japhe takes us on a tasting adventure through the Whiskeyverse of Advent Calendar 2021.