Single Malt whisky has always been the drive and passion behind Balcones. Over the years we have been inspired by and drawn to other spirit traditions, including the classic American spirit: Rum.  After a few small batches of our Texas Rum, we refilled the same casks with select Texas Single Malt, marrying two of our favorite things together to create a unique Texas Whisky. Bottled at cask strength, this is a bold Single Malt with notes of rock candy, spice cake and toasted oak.

Tasting Notes

NOSE: caramelized sugar, cherry cola, banana bread, sassafras, pistachio, peanut brittle, apple skins, peach cobbler

TASTE: big and full-bodied with tropical fruits, molasses, sweet black tea, gingerbread

FINISH: dry and long, hints of prickly cinnamon, burnt sugar and heavy oak

Heritage Distilling Co. (HDC) is a craft distillery based in Gig Harbor, Washington. HDC has been the most awarded craft distillery in North America by the American Distilling Institute 7 years in a row from 2014 up until 2020. Each Heritage Distilling Co. product be it vodka, gin, rum, or whiskey has a unique story. This family-owned Craft Distillery makes their spirits by hand. From working directly with the farmers to grow their grains, to ensuring the purity of their water source, to milling the grain, making their own mash and wort, and running their own custom made stills. Heritage Distilling embodies a wholehearted "Field to Flask" ethos. Distilled to the most meticulous standards the Brown Sugar Bourbon has a mash bill of corn, rye, and malted barley. It is barreled for at least two years in new American Oak Charred Barrels. This 103-proof big brother of the award-winning whiskey is cut sparingly with their private crystal clear water source and infused with natural brown sugar and cinnamon flavors. More bourbon and less sweetness make this version the bigger and bolder of the two BSB brothers.

Maker Notes 

Our process is unique in that we use 94% Danko Rye grown on the shores of Conesus Lake. This big, bold, spicy grain captures the true spirit of the Empire State. Our temperature controlled fermentation and proprietary pot, column, pot, column distillation method all contribute to our unique flavor profile, all before being set to age in our custom charred barrels.
The Empire Rye requirement to use local grains and barrel down at a lower proof, in combination with our harsh NY winters and hot humid summers, all contribute to the unique flavor of this product. Unfiltered to provide you with true and authentic flavor, our Rye is best enjoyed neat, on the rocks or in a traditional whiskey cocktail.

Maker Notes

Back in 1849 when everyone else was using a rye mashbill, we pioneered wheat-based bourbon. And it’s this award-winning wheated recipe that continues to defy trends today. Rebel Bourbon is unapologetically original and brazenly bold.

But don’t let its rough edges fool you. Rebel Bourbon whiskey goes down smooth, whether you prefer it neat, on the rocks, or mixed.

As the newest member of the Rebel Bourbon family, Rebel 100 Proof wheated bourbon takes everything you love about our Kentucky Straight Bourbon and dials it up. Talk about intense.

TASTING NOTES

Don’t be fooled by the sweet aroma up front. It’s hot on the tongue with bold caramel and vanilla notes and a dry finish.

INGREDIENTS

Corn, wheat, and malt

This powerful and inviting whisky epitomizes the harmony achieved through our blending and aging techniques. We begin with a blend of two non-peated French malt distillates that matured in different casks, the majority in extra old cognac casks and a proportion in new French Limousin and American oak casks. Once the optimal blend is achieved, the double malt ages exclusively in extra old cognac casks where it develops complex and balanced flavors. Finally, it is blended with a lightly peated French malt distillate and is finished in the same extra old cognac casks until it reaches its optimal flavor.

WHISKY MAKER'S NOTES

Color: Deep copper.

Nose: Bold and inviting. Warm raisin bread and baking spices surround notes of smoky barley.

Palate: Powerful yet delicate. The silky texture gives way to baking spices and juicy grapes. Rich and balanced, with a hint of peat.

Finish: Long, very long. The subtle peat amplifies the soft tannins of the extra old cognac casks.

In 1846, John Dewar began blending the finest whisky he could source in Scotland and bottling it with his own name on the label. Within a decade, Dewar was supplying whisky to bars and hotels throughout Scotland. By the turn of the century, the brand had expanded to become one of the best selling whiskies in the world and today remains the best-selling Scotch whisky in the United States. By the end of the 19th century, the famed Dewar's Aberfeldy Distillery became operational. Situated by the Pitilie Burn, the small river has served as a source of pure water to this day. After the malted Scottish barley is brought in, it is left to ferment for an extended period of time, before being distilled in tall pot stills. The Aberfeldy single malt that is produced here remains the heart of Dewar's blend today. The premises are open for tours and cask tasting with a whisky lounge and cafe on hand. Dewar's whisky is crafted by blending together "the rarest of rare whiskies from across Scotland." The backbone is that 27-year-old single malt whisky that is crafted at Aberfeldy Distillery. Once the 27-year-old is married together with other whiskies, the resulting blend is allowed to rest again in oak casks. This secondary maturation process "is a marriage made in heaven ensuring our whiskies are even smoother and creamier," said Dewar's retired master blender Thomas Aitken. It's this great foundation and the signature "double aging" process that have made Dewar's the most awarded blended Scotch whisky in the world. Where the "double aged" series ends, the innovative and premium Double Double picks up. Created by Dewar's Master Blender Stephanie MacLeod, this 27-year-old expression takes the matured single malt and grain whiskies and blends them, then lets each style age separately. Afterwards, both are blended together and re-casked for an additional month. In the end, the liquid is transferred to Paolo Cortado sherry casks for a round of finishing, before being bottled at 92 proof. The 4-sided bottle reflects the 4 stages of the aging process.

Southwind corn whiskey moonshine began when two artists, Maxime Berthou and Mark Polep, took an old paddle steamer down the Mississippi River exactly 1712 miles of it. After two years of preparation the month-and-a-half journey took the pair through 10 states during the record-breaking 2019 floods. The 21-foot steamboat mostly putted along happily at up to 4 miles per hour (3.5 knots), though not without incident while the flooding provided a lot of driftwood for fuel, it also caused the rudder to break 3 times. The wood-fired engine took lots of hard work, with the pair working in 2-hour shifts. The duo had set out with several goals in mind: The adventure would serve as a basis for a book and film, but more importantly for us they would gather several samples of corn along the way from at least 10 different producers and create a moonshine once the journey was completed. But they couldn't just go about creating the moonshine the ordinary way. Once they moored in New Orleans, the boat was transformed into a floating distillery, producing moonshine from the 42 corn varieties they gathered from 10 different states. With the help of Big Easy's own Seven Three Distilling the pair created Southwind a moonshine that tells the story of the Mississippi River and their epic undertaking. 

Lovingly handcrafted and aged in Kentucky, Pinhook Bourbon was established in 2014 and has produced several small batch bottlings in their newly restored Castle & Key distillery in Frankfort, KY, to much critical acclaim. What makes their line unique is the brand's three distinctive characteristics: its limited availability, mass appeal and strong ties to Kentucky's legacy of horse racing. Each release of Pinhook Bourbon is named after a thoroughbred owned by Bourbon Lane Stable. The label also features the horses racing records on their brand's website. Every fall Pinhook features an annual vintage of Pinhook Bourbon and Pinhook Rye, each of which is inspired by a thoroughbred horse. Each blend is as unique as the horse on the label. "Pinhooking" refers to an old Kentucky term for purchasing young thoroughbreds, holding them until they mature, and selling them when they are ready to run. Successful pinhooks much like whiskey are made on instinct, experience, an appreciation of quality, and a little luck. Pinhook bourbons and ryes are handcrafted to reflect the richness of the Kentucky soil and the character of its beautiful horse country. Pinhook Bohemian Bourbon was distilled, aged, and bottled at the historic Old Taylor Distillery (now known as Castle & Key), the first bourbon in 50 years to do so. Crafted from a mash bill of 75% corn, 15% rye, and 10% malted barley, it's a high-proof expression that has been aged for a minimum of 34 months. This expression is limited to 100 barrels and was proofed and blended by Pinhook co-founder Sean Josephs.

Each year, Pinhook releases a new vintage of bourbons and ryes. Every expression is the best representation of our barrels at that moment in time, and dedicated to a promising young thoroughbred. Through a combination of careful barrel selection, blending in small batches, and meticulous proofing, each Pinhook vintage has a personality as unique as the horse on the label.

Ancient buffalo carved paths through the wilderness that led American pioneers and explorers to new frontiers. One such trail led to the banks of the Kentucky River where Buffalo Trace Distillery has been making bourbon whiskey the same way for more than 200 years. In tribute to the mighty buffalo and the rugged, independent spirit of the pioneers who followed them, we created our signature Buffalo Trace Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey.

TASTING NOTES

This deep amber whiskey has a complex aroma of vanilla, mint and molasses. Pleasantly sweet to the taste with notes of brown sugar and spice that give way to oak, toffee, dark fruit and anise. This whiskey finishes long and smooth with serious depth.

Most Recent Awards

2020 Gold Medal - World Whiskies Awards

2020 Silver Medal - San Francisco World Spirits Competition

2019 Gold Medal; 91 points - Beverage Testing Institute

2019 Silver Medal - New York World Spirits Competition

2019 Silver Outstanding - Whiskies of the World

2019 Double Gold Medal - North American Bourbon & Whiskey Competition

2019 Gold Medal - Los Angeles International Spirits Competition

2019 Gold Medal - American Whiskey Masters

2019 Silver Medal - San Francisco World Spirits Competition

2019 Silver Medal - Denver International Spirits Competition

Our newest addition to the family is making a name for itself by becoming our first rye whiskey with this distinguished of an age statement.

Bottled at 80 proof, the mashbill features a slightly spicy, yet approachable, rye resulting in an elegantly complex taste profile and a golden honey hue. This light, yet full-flavored, rye is sure to please any palate. Serving neat, with a drop of water, or on the rocks opens up all of the flavors that were developed from ten years of aging, such as spice, oak, caramel, and tobacco. This rye can be easily enjoyed without the burn associated with higher-proof whiskeys.

Tasting Notes

AROMA: Sweet vanilla and oak with a touch of light fruit

TASTE: Approachable spice and oak notes with hints of caramel

FINISH: Faint tobacco and warm cinnamon heat

COLOR: Golden honey

Hirsch Whiskey is named after Adolf Hirsch, a former executive of the Schenley Co. who bought some aging barrels of bourbon from the famed Michter's Distillery before it closed in 1988. It was in 1974 that Hirsch first imagined the spirit that would become legendary over the years. Its unique and turbulent history would prompt Charles K. Cowdery to write the book The Best Bourbon You'll Never Taste, centered around this mythical bourbon. Today the brand is owned by the San Francisco-based distiller & importer Hotaling & Co. They aim to bring back the famous name with premium expressions. "With this reintroduction, we invite people to take a journey into the world of bourbon and discover what makes HIRSCH legendary. THE HORIZON takes the first step into the future of HIRSCH, with additional expressions planned to round out the collection," says Hotaling & Co. President and CEO Dan Leese. Hirsch The Horizon expression is made to embody the spirit of adventure, the lifelong search for new experience chasing the horizon. It's a blend of 2 straight bourbons. Distilled in Lawrenceburg, Indiana, 94% of the blend is a 4-year-old juice with a traditional (75% corn, 21% rye, 4% barley malt) mash bill, while the remaining 6% is a 6-year-old rye-heavy whiskey. Bottled at 92 proof, it's a traditional, complex, and incredibly well-balanced offering that is equally stunning neat or on the rocks.

Lucky Seven Spirits was founded by best friends Michael Lahalin and John Pals. Both bourbon fans and cinema aficionados, the pair settled on the moniker Lucky 7, named after the legendary Stage 7 of the Warner Brothers lot, where countless classics such as Casablanca were filmed. Since the giant stage got a reputation for producing so many hits, it got the nickname "Lucky Stage 7." The pair sources and blends rare bourbons, only using the finest juice they can find and releasing them as limited editions: 12 YO "The Hold Up," 6 YO "The Jokester," and 12 YO Single Barrel "The Proprietor." They have won several medals at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, among others. As befits the Hollywood and movie history that permeates Lucky Seven, they have also created a series of short films that accompany each expression. The luxurious decanter bottles include several nods to Old Hollywood, as well as real 22-karat gold. Lucky Seven "The Jokester" 6YO is a 6-year-old Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey with a rich and deep profile that has notes of dried fruit, nuts, vanilla, and spice. It's all beautifully balanced and complex. The bourbon is bottled at 95 proof and has won a Double Gold Medal at the 2020 edition of the San Francisco World Spirits Competition.

J.W. Rutledge Distillery was founded by former Four Roses master distiller Jim Rutledge. As the construction of their new sustainable distillery is underway (a facility that utilizes clean technologies like geothermal heating and cooling, solar energy, and biomass energy), Jim Rutledge sources and blends whiskey from other distilleries to put out new releases under the J.W. Rutledge brands, beginning with Cream of Kentucky. Their aim is to produce Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey and straight rye whiskey the "old-fashioned way" relative to the requisites, guidelines, and standards for straight whiskey production that have been in place for close to two centuries. The Cream of Kentucky label was first introduced in 1888 by I. Trager & Co. of Cincinnati, Ohio. Before Prohibition ended, the brand was picked up by the renowned Schenley Company and re-introduced to the industry in 1934. Cream of Kentucky reached great success in the 30s and 40s, using the work of famed artist Norman Rockwell. Cream of Kentucky is now owned by J.W. Rutledge, who has recently secured a limited supply of Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey he feels is worthy of the rebirth of Cream of Kentucky Bourbon as a premium whiskey. Cream of Kentucky 13 is a 13-year-old straight bourbon that was sourced by the discerning eye of Jim Rutledge and is an exquisitely well-balanced and rich straight bourbon.

A MASTERFUL COMBINATION

Cosseted away in the finest, hand-selected oak casks and allowed to mature at its own sedate pace, this is one of the most remarkable, perfectly balanced single malt scotch whiskies of its kind. One of our rarest whiskies, bottles of Bowmore 18 Year Old may be limited, but there's no end to its enjoyment.

TASTING NOTES

On The Eye: Mellow mahogany

Breathe In: Creamy caramel toffee, with ripe fruit and smoke aromas

Sip: Incredibly complex, with beautiful soft fruit and chocolate balanced with a light smokiness

Savour: The long and wonderfully balanced finish

Awards

International Wine & Spirit Competition - Gold award 2018

San Francisco World Spirits Competition - Double Gold award 2018

International Spirits Challenge - Gold award 2018

Every last drop of this spectacular Scotch is triple distilled then matured for over twelve years. Our Lowland Single Malt Whisky has the tempting aroma of toasted almonds, caramelised toffee and the signature smooth delicate Auchentoshan taste. An intriguing 12 year old whisky that’s Distilled Different.

TASTING NOTES

TO THE EYE: In appearance, each bottle has a crisp golden honey hue. What gives whisky its colour? The maturing process over 12 years as the liquid comes into contact with the barrel. The longer a whisky matures will determine its colour and flavour profile.

TO THE NOSE: A Single Malt Scotch whisky with a distinctive aroma of crème brulee to the nose with a burst of citrus and then the signature nuttiness and green leafiness you would expect from Auchentoshan.

TO THE TONGUE: A smooth whisky taste with sweet notes along with hints of tangerine and lime characterise this 12 year old.

TO THE END: This particular whisky offers a gingery and slightly dry finish with a pleasant, lingering nuttiness. 

During the early 19th century, illegal distilleries were commonplace throughout the Speyside region of Scotland. In 1823, however, Alexander Gordon pushed the Excise Act of 1823 through Parliament. The Excise Act allowed illegal distillers throughout Scotland to apply for and obtain licenses to legally distill spirits. In 1824, a businessman named George Smith applied for one of the first licenses in the Speyside region of Scotland and opened the doors to The Glenlivet Distillery. For nearly two centuries, The Glenlivet Distillery has been producing the "single malt whisky that started it all." The Glenlivet Single Malt Scotch Whisky is made using barley sourced from Crisp Maltings, Portgordon (Portgordon is a village in Moray, Scotland). After the barley has been malted and mashed, it is fermented in wooden washbacks for approximately two days. The wooden washbacks used by The Glenlivet are more difficult and expensive to maintain as compared to the stainless steel washbacks used by most Scottish distilleries, but impart a distinctive, floral quality to the whisky. After the barley has been fermented, it is distilled twice first through Glenlivet's wash still, and then again through Glenlivet's spirits still. Originally designed by George Smith, the copper-pot stills have a unique, lantern-like shape, which encourages contact between the whisky and the copper (the copper strips the whisky of any impurities it may have, and provides for a lighter and more pure flavor profile). In addition, the height of the stills ensures only the lightest vapors are condensed, and makes for a more delicate and elegant whisky. Recently, folks at The Glenlivet have been experimenting with mysterious releases without tasting notes and cask information. Spectra is one such limited-edition box set that contains a selection of 3 distinct 200ml single malt bottles. The first hints at a fruity expression, the second promises a smoky and briny experience, and the last holds a creamy sweetness. Each expression showcases The Glenlivet's signature style and presents a tasting challenge in the form of a digital experience a journey that starts by scanning the provided QR code. After completing the guided digital tour and receiving a grade based on your performance, you get to compare your findings with the thoughts of Master Blender and Distiller Alan Winchester.

Du Nord is the brainchild of Chris Montana, who decided to open a distillery in his home city of Minneapolis in 2013. It's a family-run operation that combines Chris' city-smarts with Shanelle Montana's country spirit. The craft spirits company has since grown considerably from a garage-type distilling project and works to bring minorities and members of underrepresented communities into their family. The name Du Nord is a tribute to Minnesota's title of "The Star of the North." They offer tours of the Du Nord distillery and operate a Du Nord Cocktail room on the premises. Their lineup currently consists of the L'Etoile Du Nord sipping vodka, Fitzgerald Gin (a London dry and old world style hybrid), Apple Du Nord apple liqueur, and Caf Frieda coffee liqueur. Each and every one of these has garnered awards from some of the most prestigious spirits competitions. Du Nord Mixed Blood Blended Whiskey is the newest member of the Du Nord family. It's an in-house bourbon that has a high-rye mash bill and is blended with sourced whiskeys for a profile that is rye-forward, fruity, spicy, and pleasantly sweet. It's aged for two years before being bottled at 80 proof.

Wilderness Trail Distillery is a craft operation that was launched in 2012 in Bold Danville, Kentucky. Mixing old traditions with modern science, they aim to create fine bourbon and other spirits. Founded by Shane Baker and Pat Heist, a pair with over 20 years of experience with fermentation and alcohol production under their belts, they craft unique spirits using locally-grown grains. Their spirits are hand-crafted and they pride themselves on being "not interested in making the most, just the best." The founders were left with several yeast strains they had collected over the years in the industry and put them to good use in the distillery. The premium corn, wheat, and rye are sourced from the nearby Caverndale Farms and Walnut Grove Farms from Adairville, Kentucky, while their malted barley comes from Louisville. The natural Kentucky limestone springwater completes the 100% Kentucky list of ingredients. Their production methods include the proprietary Infusion Mashing Process, which together with their unique yeast strains results in a softer and uniquely flavorful distillate. They are the first Kentucky bourbon distillery to use a chemical-free clean steam boiler that minimizes off flavors. Instead of sour mash, they rely on a sweet mash, which enables more flavors to be extracted from the grains. They employ a hybrid pot still, as well as two continuous column stills. All the whiskey is distilled, aged, and bottled on-site. Wilderness Trail produces bourbon, rye whiskey, vodka, and bourbon barrel-aged rum. The Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey expression employs their sweet mash process and the spirit is barrelled at 100 and 105 proof. These numbers used to be higher, so the final proof of the bottles can vary. Crafted from a mash bill of 56% Kentucky-grown Heritage rye (from the local KY Proud farm), 33% corn, and 11% malted barley, the rye whiskey is then aged for a minimum of 4 years and up to 8 years in the upper floors of their rickhouses. 

Look for the silver label

Wilderness Trail Distillery fans who have been enjoying side-by-side comparisons of its yellow label wheated Bourbon and its black label small batch rye Bourbon may now take their analogies to the next level. Look for the silver label with a “6” on the neck tag to indicate that it’s Wilderness Trail 6-year wheated Bourbon or 6-year rye Bourbon. Our Visitors Center is one place to find the bottled in bond goodness of the 6-year small batch rye Bourbon. However, the Visitors Center has sold out of the 6-year wheated Bourbon. Bottles are $69.

The other releases by the Danville distillery, owned by Shane Baker and Dr. Pat Heist, have been four- and five-year-old, bottled in bond Bourbons and a cask strength rye whiskey of similar age expressions.

Everyone wants to know a little bit about how the 6-year-old tastes. Well, your tasting notes would be different from your friend’s and so forth. Let’s just say that the extra two years in the barrel has elevated an already remarkable Bourbon to an even higher level.

Wilderness Trail Distillery is a craft operation that was launched in 2012 in Bold Danville, Kentucky. Mixing old traditions with modern science, they aim to create fine bourbon and other spirits. Founded by Shane Baker and Pat Heist, a pair with over 20 years of experience with fermentation and alcohol production under their belts, they craft unique spirits using locally-grown grains. Their spirits are hand-crafted and they pride themselves on being "not interested in making the most, just the best." The founders were left with several yeast strains they had collected over the years in the industry and put them to good use in the distillery. The premium corn, wheat, and rye are sourced from the nearby Caverndale Farms and Walnut Grove Farms from Adairville, Kentucky, while their malted barley comes from Louisville. The natural Kentucky limestone springwater completes the 100% Kentucky list of ingredients. Their production methods include the proprietary Infusion Mashing Process, which together with their unique yeast strains results in a softer and uniquely flavorful distillate. They are the first Kentucky bourbon distillery to use a chemical-free clean steam boiler that minimizes off flavors. Instead of sour mash, they rely on a sweet mash, which enables more flavors to be extracted from the grains. They employ a hybrid pot still, as well as two continuous column stills. All the whiskey is distilled, aged, and bottled on-site. Wilderness Trail produces bourbon, rye whiskey, vodka, and bourbon barrel-aged rum. Their Small Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon expression is made in 12-barrel batches, one fermenter's worth. Crafted from a mash bill of 64% corn, 24% rye, and 12% malted barley, the spirit employs their sweet mash technique and uses their proprietary yeast strains. It enters the barrels at 110 proof and is aged on different floors of their rickhouses before being bottled at 100 proof.