It was a heat however overcast day within the Texas Hill Nation just some weeks in the past, however an altogether excellent setting for a stroll by means of Star Hill Ranch to pattern the wares of some 35 Texas whiskies on the sixth annual Texas Whiskey Pageant. A veritable who’s who of Texas whiskeydom, if there are Texas whiskey producers that weren’t pouring at this occasion, I couldn’t have named them. Loads of stars had been on-hand to pour their juice, as effectively, together with Milam & Greene’s grasp distiller Marlene Holmes (pictured above), one of many nicest and most down-to-earth individuals I’ve met on this enterprise.
I sampled quite a lot of whiskeys (plus one brandy) at this occasion that every one had one factor in frequent: They had been all made (not less than partly) in Texas. The Texasness of those merchandise is tough to overlook. With a method that overwhelmingly focuses on wooden and gritty spice notes, the distillers of Texas are creating a brand new frontier and taste profile within the trade that may at instances attain some extent that just about goes too far. That mentioned, having so many various bottles multi function place is instructive at showcasing simply how far outdoors these battled strains Texas distillers are prepared to attract. With that in thoughts, some very temporary ideas on every thing I tasted on the occasion comply with.
Tasting Report: Texas Whiskey Pageant 2023
Garrison Brothers HoneyDew – A toasty, barely candy spin on GB’s basic; brief on the end at present. A-
Balcones Texas Blue Corn Cask Energy – An enormous fruit bomb right here, laden with chocolate and spice notes. Completed in grenache wine casks, bottled at 121.6 proof. A
Balcones Texas Rye 4 Years Previous – 100 proof, not but launched. Very grassy and toasty, not overly natural although. Candy however funky on the again finish. B+
Balcones Lineage – A basic bottling, balanced and easygoing compared to many of the Balcones line. B+
Gradual River Bend Hefeweizen Whiskey – A 97% wheat whiskey infused with lemon peel and cloves; strongly candy with intense spice notes. I’d reserve it for cocktails. B+
Grayson Blended Bourbon Batch 2A – A 116.1 proof mix of 4 Texas distilleries; these change with every batch. Light and fruity, this one’s value some exploration (with a splash of water). A-
Iron Wolf Bourbon – A high-rye bourbon, barely grassy with notes of candy corn and hay. B+
Silver Star 1849 – Mild physique, corny, and simplistic. Nice however fundamental. B
Texas Republic Whiskey – A 3 1/2 yr previous mix. Very gentle type, decidedly un-Texas-like, with a butterscotch edge. B+
1876 Texas Straight Bourbon – Fairly weedy and funky, with tons of corn and barrel char. B
1876 Texas Straight Bourbon Port Barrel Completed – Fairly a bit higher due to clear sweetness and tons of wine notes. A-
Large Bourbon – From what is alleged to be the biggest distillery (bodily) in America! Aggressive corn and wooden profile turned me away. 80 proof. B-
Large Rye 100 Proof – Grassy, heavy natural notice. Basic rye character. A-
Milam & Greene Single Barrel Bourbon – Tennessee whiskey, bottled in Texas. Shiny and sunny. A-
Milam & Greene Triple Cask Bourbon – A mix of Texas, Kentucky, and Indiana distillates. Fairly floral notes give this a complexity that you simply gained’t discover in most straight Texas bottlings. A
Milam & Greene Rye Port Cask End – The wine affect right here is spot on, tempering any grassy/granary notes, lending a supple end to the rye. A-
William Worth Rye Single Barrel – Spicy, a number of herbs and effectively balanced. A-
Satan’s River Agave Bourbon – Agave bourbon? That is bourbon flavored with just a bit pure agave syrup. The sweetness is noticeable and greater than somewhat odd towards the backdrop of Satan’s River pretty aggressive spirit. B
Shoreline Bourbon – The Galveston humidity can’t compete with the youthful, wood-heavy type right here, which comes throughout as decidedly inexperienced. B
Lone Elm Small Batch Wheat Whiskey – Toasted wheat notes, resulting in a coconut-like end. B+
Lone Elm Honey Barrel – One other honey-adjacent providing, sweeter with a lemony kick and a spicy end. A-
Ironroot Republic Harbinger – Daring and somewhat bruising, with heavy notes of ginger, toasted corn, and cherries. Smoky end. B+
Sleight of Hand Brandy – The brandy talked about above is a 60/40 mix of Texas brandy (produced from chenin blanc) and Cognac. Surprisingly pleasant, with basic linen and floral notes, and a mildly candy end. Nice solution to wind down after numerous heavy whiskeys. A
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