r/TexasWhiskey

I know a lot of people love the Blue Corn, and it's good, don't get me wrong, but this one is a favorite of mine. I've still got the 2024 and 2025 versions, but it's time to finish this one off.

Mash Bill: 70% White Corn | 25% Rye | 5% Malted Barley

This was the Fall 2023 release, and to me this one has spice but also a hint of a vanilla icing flavor. In fact the smell kind of reminds me of my mom's old frosting.

Balcones Rye Port Finish – Spec’s Single Barrel

Intro: As I’ve noted in my previous reviews, Texas whiskey is very divisive, and Balcones is very divisive among Texas whiskey, and the Balcones rye might be the most divisive whiskey of their lineup. This is understandable, since there’s very little in the way of traditional rye spice notes and a lot more in the way of dank earthy notes, dark chocolate, and old coffee grounds, framed by some pretty intense woodiness. While I personally love it, and it’s probably my favorite rye, I can easily see why the reviews tend to swing between “this is so unique, I love it” and “this is the worst thing I’ve ever tasted.” So if you fall into the latter category, this review will probably not change your mind. However, for those in the former category, the single barrels and especially the finished barrels can be something truly special. While from my limited experience with finished American whiskies I’m not a very big fan of bourbons being put into wine casks (different oak types like French or Mizunara are a different story), ryes can do quite well with a bit of time in a good sherry or port cask. This particular single barrel for Spec’s in Texas has been on quite a journey: in just under five years, it’s gone from its initial virgin oak cask to a used Port wine cask, and finally a mellowing period in a used bourbon cask. These are a few years old, so there aren’t many left on the shelves, but they’re not totally gone yet, and the few that are left are on sale for under $60.

USA/Texas – Rye
Price: $58 (on sale, regular price $72)
Age Statement: 4 years 11 months
Strength: 64.8% ABV
Mash Bill: 100% rye
Cask Makeup: Aged in new American oak, then transferred to a used Port cask, then transferred to a used Kentucky Bourbon cask for a total of 59 months (4 years 11 months)
Details: Non-chill filtered, no color added; Cask strength (?)

Nose: I should note ahead of time that this pour is a monster that I had to tame with a good bit of water. I find that Balcones’s ABV sweet spot is generally mid to high 50’s, and while I didn’t try to calculate what I actually proofed it down to, I started with at least three full squirts from my dropper into a healthy 2 oz pour. The notes from here on out will be for the proofed down version, since that was about the only way I drank it. Perhaps some braver souls than I could take it neat, but I found that very hot and closed off. Anyway, the nose on here is pretty wild. Very strong notes of deep chocolate and black coffee, with charred oak in abundance. Some earthiness and a touch of the typical Balcones clove spiciness. Some black tea and herbal elements as well. Imagine the bottled in bond Balcones rye cranked up to 11. But on top of that, there’s a rich raspberry note that pairs very nicely with the chocolate and coffee. Unlike anything else I’ve had.

Palate: Again, “intense” is an understatement, this pour is a wild ride. A lot of different elements going on, but the finish feels like it makes a cohesive end product instead of being slapped on top of the rest. Like an indulgently rich dark chocolate coffee cake with sweet/tart raspberry icing piped through it. Even proofed down quite a bit, still very intense and with a thick oily mouthfeel, but much more manageable ABV burn than neat. After a bit of time in the mouth the woodiness comes through, and can border on astringent, but manages to avoid veering into unpleasant territory. The herbal/black tea notes peek through as well. A remarkable interplay between the sweetness, the bitterness, and the richness, with a touch of tanginess from the Port as well.

Finish: Chocolate coffee raspberry blast, with lingering dry oak. Remarkable length.  

Notes: It’s difficult for me to think of anything else I’ve tasted that can match this level of depth and intensity for under $60, even just looking within the rest of the Balcones lineup. It’s certainly not going to be everybody’s cup of tea, and I definitely wouldn’t call it an everyday pour, but for anyone who’s had the standard rye and enjoyed it, I would highly recommend looking for a single barrel version, whether finished or not. The unfinished ones are great as well, but something about the added fruitiness from a wine cask finish (this one’s Port, but I’ve seen some others finished in Pinot Noir on the shelves as well) just harmonizes very well with the base profile. Love it or hate it, there’s nothing quite like this out there to compare it to.

Score: 8

T8KE Score scale:

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 many things I’d rather have.

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