Review #396; American Single Malt #4: Balonces Single Malt Rum Cask

This is a release from Balcones a distillery based in Texas. This is a limited release of their single malt that was aged in an ex-rum cask for 32 months.

I had this blind and then was revealed the bottle so keep that in mind when you read my notes.

ABV: 55%

Nose: Orange Peel, Fig, Allspice, tobacco leaf, honey, light dark chocolate.

Palate: Medium mouthfeel. Orange Peel, allspice, oak spice,

Finish: Short, warm. Slight Orange Peel, Chocolate, Earthy, sawdust.

Rating: 4/10

Guess: This is really weird. The nose is fantastic; I could sit here and sniff it all day. This has a strong fruity component to it and a ton of wood spice, but I feel like it falls into the younger end of things with how sharp that wood is on the finish. Lets say this is an American Single Malt, aged for 2-4 years, in a sherry cask of some sort, bottled at 52-55% abv.

I nailed this pretty well other than the ageing vessel. This is the most interesting Balcones I have tried and one that I wish I had just a little more of to try with some water.

1 | Disgusting | So bad I poured it out.

2 | Poor | I wouldn’t consume by choice.

3 | Bad | Multiple flaws.

4 | Sub-par | Not bad, but better exists.

5 | Good | Good, just fine.

6 | Very Good | A cut above.

7 | Great | Well above average

8 | Excellent | Really quite exceptional.

9 | Incredible | An all time favorite

10 | Perfect | Perfect