Balcones: Baby Blue Whiskey

Type: Whiskey

Brand: Balcones

Year/Specialty: Heirloom blue corn

Cost:$50.00 - $65.00 U.S.

A little History:

Balcones has had some rocky times over the past few years; from the legal fight between the original master distiller and the board of directors, to money issues requiring outside investment to keep up with demand. They say everything is bigger in Texas - it seems that’s true for their problems as well. This has not, however, hindered them from becoming a successful whiskey distillery. In particular, Balcones is known for its “outside the box” thinking when it comes to distilling, and chance has it, this review is on a blue corn whiskey that is as unique as it comes.

A little Geography:

As the proclaimed first distillery in the state of Texas since prohibition, Balcones has led the craft spirit movement in a location that is harsh to those who can’t handle themselves. They started out in a little industrial area under a bridge, making all of their own stills, condensers, even the heat exchangers. With this complete hands-on approach, they believe it gave them creative maneuverability to make exactly what they needed, exactly how they wanted.

A little Science:

Heirloom blue corn, ever heard of it? Yeah, me neither… This whiskey is made with tons of it and it made me rethink that distinguished flavor profile that you get from a whiskey, especially bourbons that are a specific type of corn-based.Although we do not know exactly what type of blue corn they use in their whiskey, we can bring to light is that it was and still is a staple on the South American continent that has migrated through Mexico and into the U.S. It is a very hardy, yet also finicky corn that has made it difficult to hybridize and genetically modify, making it a low cash crop. What it lacks in mass marketability it makes up with a higher standard of nutrients and, in my opinion, flavor. The distilling processes for this type of corn would be no different than others, yet would leave a very distinct flavor and texture due to the complex nature of the corn.

Let’s take a drink:

The aroma of this whiskey is curious, I smell a hint of corn husk that reminds me of a good cook out, yet with a tinge of alcohol on the nose. On the first sip, that unique smell of hard corn hits your taste buds with much more ferocity than expected. It is light on the front of the mouth and becomes more powerful in flavor as it moves over the palate. This whiskey has a medium to long aftertaste and leaves an almost oily residue in the mouth. Utterly unique in taste and profile, this blue corn whiskey is refined enough to not be overly harsh, yet rough enough to allow the prize grain to create something unlike any other.

Who may like this drink:

You are adventurous and you want your drinks to invigorate your tastes for the unique and bold.

Who may not like this drink:

Staunch in your tastes, you know what you like and there is no reason to question it.

If you like what you read, check out more reviews at: www.thespiritednovice.com

References:

Balcones (2016). Our story… Retrieved from http://www.balconesdistilling.com/our-story

Lawrence Wilson (2016).Organic blue corn – a wonderful food for this century. Retrieved from http://www.drlwilson.com/Articles/BLUE%20CORN%20CH...

Whiskey Advocate (2014). The Balcones controversy. Retrieved from http://whiskyadvocate.com/2014/09/11/the-balcones-...