Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/46939
The debut single malt is copper-pot distilled then put through Tate's mixed- barrel of barrel-aging decisions (think art, not science). The resulting spirit is medium caramel color in the glass with streams of rising aromas. There's a bit of tingly sweet- ness up high in the mouth, followed by a smooth toffee wash and lingering woodsy warmth. It's rounded like bourbon and deep like Scotch, without any spiking barrel notes. Each successive batch, of course, will be distinct, depending on the woods chosen for aging (more art). "I almost didn't let it out. I didn't think it was quite ready. It could have aged longer," Tate told me, referring to his impulse to enter the whisky in the New York World Wine and Spirits Competition this past June. The decision, which went against some other opinions in Balcones, turned out to be the right one as the Texas Single Malt Whisky took Double Gold and won Best in Show: Best Brown Spirit. Success seems to be a trend for Balcones; last year the distillery's Baby Blue (which was Texas' fi rst legally distilled whiskey since Prohibition) took Double Gold at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition and was awarded 95 points from THE TASTING PANEL. The rest of Balcones' portfolio (True Blue unaged corn whisky; Brimstone smoked corn whisky and Rumble, inspired by rum but beyond classifi cation) is award- winning, too. This new release is another leap and another bound for Balcones and the Texas craft-distilling industry. "I love the Scottish and Japanese products, and I think our Texas Single Malt is ready to take its place on that world stage," said Tate. "Of course, we only produced about 236 bottles." Sadly, that last point is the reason you'll probably miss out on the next Single Malt release, scheduled for any day now, but only in Texas. Master Distiller Chip Tate and business partner Steve Germer. This new release is another leap and bound for Balcones and the Texas craft-distill- ing industry." november 201 1 / the tasting panel / 49