I grew up in Upstate New York in the heart of apple country. I loved visiting the old barns that served as cider houses, especially one in particular. The old guy that hung out there, probably younger than I am now, taught me how to make hard cider at home. It became a family tradition that every year I would make a few gallons of cider for our winter holidays. They also told me how they made applejack. They would first make a few barrels of hard cider, then as the year grew cold they would set the barrels out discretely in the orchard. The barrels would freeze but on sunny days they might thaw al little. The repeating cycles of freezing and partial thawing would gradually separate the sweet strong liquor from the water ice. Before the real spring thaw and time to tap the maple trees they would tap the barrels and capture the sweet golden liquid. Yes, this was "moonshine," and quite illegal, though making the hard cider itself is allowed. Being young I was only once granted a tiny sip of applejack, but thinking of it now I can taste it once again. Thank you for stirring up the memory.
I love you two ladies. Beautiful, funny, kooky and very knowledgeable. Makes whisky tasting very entertaining. Definately a big fan. Thanks for what you do ❤
Love Balcones. Met the head distillery a couple of times at the Whisky Show, Jared. He’s lovely and has an excellent commitment to big bushy beards. You should definitely try the Brimstone as there’s nothing else like it. Liquid barbecue. I’ve also managed to try the component parts that go into the blend and that was an experience. Apparently the Texas weather with all the heat just means more movement of the spirit into the barrel hence a quicker ageing process. No idea if that makes sense as I’m going off of fuzzy Whisky Show memories but wow, it makes for unctuous whisky.
Oh we'll make a note to try the Brimstone! That sounds like my cup of tea exactly! (Jen) Yes that makes total sense and its why warmer climate spirits get a more intense flavour from the wood more quickly!
Great video, that Balcones is a beautiful dram and thank you for the sample, I couldn't believe that I would like a bourbon, not normally my cup of tea, but I stand corrected, that was a super dram 👍🥃
I bought a bottle of the Balcones last year and when I first tried it I just could not get past the dry woody oak taste.Tried to get past it but just could not,left at the back of the cabinet for six months and forgot about it.When I finally went back to it it had softened to toffee and warm spices and is now one of my favourite NAS whiskies in my collection.Just goes to show don't give up on a bottle until its had time to develope.Great review as always
Watching y'all dive into that Balcones malt warmed this Texan's heart something fierce. So happy to see you two get on with that one so well. I think the bottle you have starts in virgin oak then is finished in a first-fill or refill cask of bourbon and/or sherry. Glad you got to try some Balcones. 👏👏👏👏👏
I try to grab an inexpensive Apple Jack whenever I’m travelling in the US, mostly to use in my pie crust for apple pie (shout out to Alton Brown). Think I prefer drinking calvados though, at least based on whenever I try some when travelling in France. I’m envious that you’re trying Balcones as it’s almost impossible to find. I did somehow win a lottery for the Springbank 18 a couple weeks ago, but have yet to open it up.
Living in apple country of the Hudson river valley there are 4-5 malt distilleries and a few others doing bourbon and rye. The closest one to my just got bought out by Grant and asons so you should be seeing the Hudson bourbon in Britain. They used to do a fantastic apple gin, but as to not compete with Hendricks, it has become hard to find. The John Henry @ 42% is not all that tempting, to be honest. It is one of the malts in the Barrel Vatted Malt release. Great blend of American malts @cs . I read they were selling the single malt only at a weekend farmer's market a few years ago. Now I see it in some shops. Balcones seems to be the polar opposite. Just heavy and rich with cask influence and high ABV. Definitely a departure from a scotch
Oh I've visited the Tuthilltown Distillery and tried their apple gin and barley vodka as well as all their whiskies! I think I brought home a bottle of the single malt and a bottle of their maple cask bourbon! (Jen)
@@TheGrailTastings the maple bourbon is something around here, but the single malt?? I had to travel 75 miles south to find a dusty bottle. They say the reason they don't make it anymore is not enough local barley to claim "farm to bottle". I think it's a typical novice American malt. Comes across with to much grain forward notes. It's sweet enough but it really feels like your eat the grain our of the sack. We've gotten a lot better.... obviously with Balcones. On the other hand it's hard to find a scotch that is at all grain forward aside from perhaps a Bruichladdich unpeated.
Great review as always! I'm sooo excited you all got to try Balcones. Easily one of my favorite American distilleries. I used to live in Texas so was able to try a lot of their different bottles and still get some good ones up here in Colorado. If you all can get your hands on their Mirador Single Malt, I feel like it'll be a revelation. I've fooled many a whisky folk that it's a scotch. Their Lineage is a great value for quality single malt as well. They have some really great offerings. Slainte!
wait wuuut... fans giving out Sb18's like its cupcakes... What a baller! :D PS I have two bottles of differet Balcones including the Texas Single Malt in your segment... have yet to crack it open but definitely some time this year :D
Texas can age a whisky with a quickness, but IME those Balcones malt batches tend to be more like 24 months. (Unless this is an early one from some years back?) Anyway, I love that particular bottling. I get something like chocolate-covered coffee beans and those Anton Berg plums-in-madeira candies along with that dense grilled peach note that is the distillery's signature for me. Their single barrels are universally fantastic too, especially the ones from European oak.
@@TheGrailTastings It's also handwritten, which introduces more variables... I have friends with older batches that are in the teens, though, so it could plausibly be 14.
The extreme north texas weather gets the cask influence in there quickly. Last I tried balcones it was a bit too much baking spice for me, but I should probably give it another chance. The worst part about Texas whiskies is that they can easily change the profile of whatever you try after it. If you come across Swift Texas single malt whisky it will make springbank seem like a fresh spring breeze. It's all the jobbies
George: I know but (politely) disagree as well: never tmi. Tasting is an exercise in trying to mainline and analyse senses of smell, texture, etc. and that's what Jen and Rachel both do so well in their relaxed, conversational, uninhibited approach. And not only with words but also sounds, facial expressions, etc. Ladies: your videos are so informative and delightful to watch. Great work.
@@jbar6284 I was joking about 12:06 when we find out that Jen is the farmie funk. 🤔 which thinking about it doesn't surprise me considering all the moldy fruit she seems to keep under her bed 😂
I grew up in Upstate New York in the heart of apple country. I loved visiting the old barns that served as cider houses, especially one in particular. The old guy that hung out there, probably younger than I am now, taught me how to make hard cider at home. It became a family tradition that every year I would make a few gallons of cider for our winter holidays.
They also told me how they made applejack.
They would first make a few barrels of hard cider, then as the year grew cold they would set the barrels out discretely in the orchard. The barrels would freeze but on sunny days they might thaw al little. The repeating cycles of freezing and partial thawing would gradually separate the sweet strong liquor from the water ice. Before the real spring thaw and time to tap the maple trees they would tap the barrels and capture the sweet golden liquid.
Yes, this was "moonshine," and quite illegal, though making the hard cider itself is allowed. Being young I was only once granted a tiny sip of applejack, but thinking of it now I can taste it once again. Thank you for stirring up the memory.
Wow that's an amazing story! Thanks for sharing!
I get more pineapple, tutti fruitti vibes from the balcones, but such good drams
Fantastic Farmy Funk Finds Fabulous Fillies Feeling Fair For Freewheeling Flavor 😉. Finally!!
😂
Springbank 18 is a mighty gift indeed ladies.. you're onto a right good blag there chamon'
I know! What a treat!
Love the Balcones Single Malt. Found lovely rose water aroma there. Very rich und astonishing komlexity for the short maturetime.
Oh will need to try it with rosewater a mind! I great note to find in a dram! I get this in the Lindores STR wine cask.
I love you two ladies. Beautiful, funny, kooky and very knowledgeable. Makes whisky tasting very entertaining. Definately a big fan. Thanks for what you do ❤
Aw thanks!!!😊
Love Balcones. Met the head distillery a couple of times at the Whisky Show, Jared. He’s lovely and has an excellent commitment to big bushy beards. You should definitely try the Brimstone as there’s nothing else like it. Liquid barbecue. I’ve also managed to try the component parts that go into the blend and that was an experience.
Apparently the Texas weather with all the heat just means more movement of the spirit into the barrel hence a quicker ageing process. No idea if that makes sense as I’m going off of fuzzy Whisky Show memories but wow, it makes for unctuous whisky.
Oh we'll make a note to try the Brimstone! That sounds like my cup of tea exactly! (Jen) Yes that makes total sense and its why warmer climate spirits get a more intense flavour from the wood more quickly!
Great video, that Balcones is a beautiful dram and thank you for the sample, I couldn't believe that I would like a bourbon, not normally my cup of tea, but I stand corrected, that was a super dram 👍🥃
Its actually an American Single Malt! SO 100% malted barley. We loved it too!
@@TheGrailTastings 😂😂 that's the reason why I liked it 😊
Pharmy Phunk sounds like an award winning colonge from National Fragrance Week
Haha it does too! 😂
WOW...3 whiskies!....you got a great selection there! Lucky you!....the springbank would have been my favourite.....
It was hard to choose!!!
Was interested in the balcones single malt as it will be much easier to get than springbank.
Oh its so good!
Actual tasting notes on a whisky review. Thank you!
I bought a bottle of the Balcones last year and when I first tried it I just could not get past the dry woody oak taste.Tried to get past it but just could not,left at the back of the cabinet for six months and forgot about it.When I finally went back to it it had softened to toffee and warm spices and is now one of my favourite NAS whiskies in my collection.Just goes to show don't give up on a bottle until its had time to develope.Great review as always
Definitely! We hear this story so often!
Applejack is a U.S. thing, Midwest and East in specifics. Cool to hear your perspective
Ah cool, thanks! We hadn't heard of it before now!
Watching y'all dive into that Balcones malt warmed this Texan's heart something fierce. So happy to see you two get on with that one so well. I think the bottle you have starts in virgin oak then is finished in a first-fill or refill cask of bourbon and/or sherry. Glad you got to try some Balcones. 👏👏👏👏👏
Ah thanks for the info Robert! Aw ☺ so glad you enjoyed! We've been aware of it for a while and were really excited to try it!
Was very lucky on a trip to Germany recently and a bar had SB18, I really enjoyed it. Still prefer kilkerran though
Oh I think we probably both agree actually!
I try to grab an inexpensive Apple Jack whenever I’m travelling in the US, mostly to use in my pie crust for apple pie (shout out to Alton Brown). Think I prefer drinking calvados though, at least based on whenever I try some when travelling in France. I’m envious that you’re trying Balcones as it’s almost impossible to find. I did somehow win a lottery for the Springbank 18 a couple weeks ago, but have yet to open it up.
Oh that pie crust sounds fab!!! Must try that!
I enjoyed watching the build up to the springbank being taken out… Very good guess!
😂 The Drama!
Living in apple country of the Hudson river valley there are 4-5 malt distilleries and a few others doing bourbon and rye. The closest one to my just got bought out by Grant and asons so you should be seeing the Hudson bourbon in Britain.
They used to do a fantastic apple gin, but as to not compete with Hendricks, it has become hard to find.
The John Henry @ 42% is not all that tempting, to be honest. It is one of the malts in the Barrel Vatted Malt release. Great blend of American malts @cs . I read they were selling the single malt only at a weekend farmer's market a few years ago. Now I see it in some shops.
Balcones seems to be the polar opposite. Just heavy and rich with cask influence and high ABV. Definitely a departure from a scotch
Oh I've visited the Tuthilltown Distillery and tried their apple gin and barley vodka as well as all their whiskies! I think I brought home a bottle of the single malt and a bottle of their maple cask bourbon! (Jen)
@@TheGrailTastings the maple bourbon is something around here, but the single malt??
I had to travel 75 miles south to find a dusty bottle. They say the reason they don't make it anymore is not enough local barley to claim "farm to bottle".
I think it's a typical novice American malt. Comes across with to much grain forward notes. It's sweet enough but it really feels like your eat the grain our of the sack. We've gotten a lot better.... obviously with Balcones.
On the other hand it's hard to find a scotch that is at all grain forward aside from perhaps a Bruichladdich unpeated.
I'm very excited to see yall review Balcones. It's 2 hours away from my city, and that distillery is easily one of my favorites.
Cool!
Great review as always! I'm sooo excited you all got to try Balcones. Easily one of my favorite American distilleries. I used to live in Texas so was able to try a lot of their different bottles and still get some good ones up here in Colorado. If you all can get your hands on their Mirador Single Malt, I feel like it'll be a revelation. I've fooled many a whisky folk that it's a scotch. Their Lineage is a great value for quality single malt as well. They have some really great offerings. Slainte!
Thanks for sharing! We definitely aim to try more from them!
Would love to see you two try the Westward American SIngle Malt. It's an absolute belter and would hold up nicely alongside the Balcones.
Oh I think we might have had a sample of this a few years back but it is sadly long gone!
You kept saying purple and sure enough, I almost thought that I could see purple in Rachael's hair. The power of suggestion.
Haha really works doesn't it!😂
Im also upstate I'll have to look for this!
Oh defo! Its a wee treat!
wait wuuut... fans giving out Sb18's like its cupcakes... What a baller! :D
PS I have two bottles of differet Balcones including the Texas Single Malt in your segment... have yet to crack it open but definitely some time this year :D
I know! So cool!
I'm sure lots of people appreciate and can relate to the "it's not bloody springbank, is it??!?"-reaction. How dare you, Jen!? 😆
😂
Texas can age a whisky with a quickness, but IME those Balcones malt batches tend to be more like 24 months. (Unless this is an early one from some years back?) Anyway, I love that particular bottling. I get something like chocolate-covered coffee beans and those Anton Berg plums-in-madeira candies along with that dense grilled peach note that is the distillery's signature for me. Their single barrels are universally fantastic too, especially the ones from European oak.
Thanks, you could be right, as we said in the video the writing had rubbed off a bit so we may have been reading it wrong?!
@@TheGrailTastings It's also handwritten, which introduces more variables... I have friends with older batches that are in the teens, though, so it could plausibly be 14.
The extreme north texas weather gets the cask influence in there quickly. Last I tried balcones it was a bit too much baking spice for me, but I should probably give it another chance.
The worst part about Texas whiskies is that they can easily change the profile of whatever you try after it. If you come across Swift Texas single malt whisky it will make springbank seem like a fresh spring breeze. It's all the jobbies
Haha I think I need to try and get hold of this and prank Rachel with it! 😂 "All the jobbies"😂🤣😂🤣
🤔 sometimes I watch your videos and all I can think is... tmi
Yeah....probably!🤣
George: I know but (politely) disagree as well: never tmi. Tasting is an exercise in trying to mainline and analyse senses of smell, texture, etc. and that's what Jen and Rachel both do so well in their relaxed, conversational, uninhibited approach. And not only with words but also sounds, facial expressions, etc.
Ladies: your videos are so informative and delightful to watch. Great work.
@@jbar6284 I was joking about 12:06 when we find out that Jen is the farmie funk. 🤔 which thinking about it doesn't surprise me considering all the moldy fruit she seems to keep under her bed 😂