Balcones Distilling

Our unique Texas environment has played a vital role in shaping our whisky and in sparking our curiosity for the impact of climate throughout the distilling journey. Together with Independent Stave Company (ISC) we designed an experiment to answer the question: can different climates, given enough time, produce similar flavor profiles, or is each climate's impact on whisky as unique as a fingerprint? Check out the latest print edition of American Whiskey to learn what we've uncovered in our study so far. #americanwhiskeymagazine #climate #distilling #americanwhiskey #americansinglemalt Gabriel RiCharde

All American whisky, including American Single Malt Whisky, is required to be bottled at 80 proof or more. This standard ensures that the spirit maintains its distinct flavor while striking a balance that keeps the liquid palatable. Because of the dynamic nature of the Texas climate, the intuitive art of pot distillation and the variety of our casks, we do not have a fixed entry proof for our whisky, instead selecting one based on the character of the spirit that day. As a guide, we aim to get our grain entry proof between 105-120, and our malt entry proof between 110-118, which ensures that we are always meeting the mandatory 80 proof entry point for American Single Malts. Still curious? Tap here to learn more about all of the American Single Malt Whiskey Commission guidelines that define the American Single Malt Whisky category: https://lnkd.in/gg3djnmq #americansinglemalt #singlemalt #whiskey #texaswhiskey

The American Single Malt Whiskey Commission calls for all whisky in the category to be mashed, distilled and matured in the United States. Our Head Distiller, Jared Himstedt, is one of the ASMWC founders. It’s with his help that we’ve been able to embrace these parameters whole-heartedly. Every one of the operations that go into making our whisky takes place inside our Waco distillery. Because when we say we can only make our whisky in Texas, we mean it. From collaborating with an uncompromising climate to discovering how to let local flavors flourish, we’ve dedicated ourselves to embracing our surroundings instead of fighting against them. The outcome of which is an award-winning line of American Single Malt Whisky crafted with the rhythms of Texas. You can tour the facility to learn more about how we see Whisky from a New Perspective on our website: https://lnkd.in/dn9fszUD. #whisky #texaswhiskey #americansinglemalt #distilling

To create Mirador Eclipse—our award-winning, limited-edition American Single Malt—we substituted our standard ale yeast for two strains of yeast: a red wine and a rosé yeast alongside our house malt whisky yeast. When brought together, these yeasts result in notes of blush red berry and fruits-of-the-forest. Matured in a variety of used Kentucky bourbon casks from 4 to 5 years before reaching the blending table, this American Single Malt balances fruit, grain and density of palate. Learn more about Mirador Eclipse in The Alcohol Professor here: https://lnkd.in/eUjuwMH9. #whisky #texaswhiskey #americansinglemalt

As proud founding members of the American Single Malt Whiskey Commission, we are honored to see our Texas 1 American Single Malt featured on the?UPROXX STUDIOS list of the best American Single Malt Whiskeys to drink right now. They write, "As one of the oldest producers of American Single Malt, [Balcones] left an indelible mark on not just that category but also on the legacy of Texas whiskey." Read more:?https://lnkd.in/eJS7JGdK. Written by Frank Dobbins III. #americansinglemalt #uproxx #texaswhiskey #whiskey

Proposed guidelines for American Single Malt Whisky require that the whisky be matured in oak casks of a capacity not exceeding 700 liters. When creating our releases, members of our team travel far and wide to hand-select and acquire the right barrels to partner with our uncompromising climate. Every barrel helps us impart a world of flavor into our whisky that gives every expression its own distinctive character, which is why we take such great care in their curation. Our barrels range in various use levels, from brand new to used, first fill, second fill, third fill, fourth fill and beyond. Because of the dynamic nature of the Texas climate, pot distillation and the variety of our casks, we do not have a fixed entry proof. Instead, casks are closely monitored before and throughout our process and tasted at various stages to determine the entry proof for specific barrels. By focusing in on these details, we are doing our part to bring the American Single Malt category to its fullest potential. Read more about the American Single Malt Whiskey Commission: https://lnkd.in/gg3djnmq #whisky #texaswhiskey #americansinglemalt

Did you know the proposed guidelines for American Single Malt include a requirement for the whisky to be made from 100% malted barley? In addition to Scottish Golden Promise malted barley, some of our American Single Malts use Texas malted barley – a feat that was only made possible within the past decade. Back in 2014, a Texas university partnered with local farmers and malters to create the state’s first brewing grade barley. Just two years later, the first harvest was ready for blending and is now used in a selection of our American Single Malt Whiskies. Read more about the American Single Malt Whiskey Commission: https://lnkd.in/gg3djnmq. #whisky #texaswhiskey #americansinglemalt

The kind folks at?Gear Patrol featured our award-winning, limited-edition Mirador Eclipse American Single Malt as one of the best new whiskey releases this year. They write, "Playing off of the way eclipses show familiar things in a different light, the distillery added two new yeasts to its house yeast during the fermentation process, yielding some fruity flavors unassociated with American single malt." Read more here: https://lnkd.in/ekKuMyFt. #gearpatrol #whisky #americansinglemalt #texaswhiskey?

We recently had the opportunity to explore whisky-making as an art form with the?NOT REAL ART Podcast. Our Head Distiller, Jared Himstedt, and Blending Manager, Gabriel RiCharde, joined Scott "Sourdough" Power to discuss the unique balance of tradition, innovation and curiosity that go into the crafting of our whisky, and why we believe it's important to center art in our process. Listen here: https://lnkd.in/eR3JfGjJ. #notrealart #podcast #whisky #americansinglemalt #texaswhiskey

In February 2024, multiple wildfires ignited across Texas and Oklahoma, including the Smokehouse Creek Fire which engulfed the Texas Panhandle. The fire became the largest wildfire in Texas state history, consuming over a million acres. A true tragedy that we at Balcones felt on a personal level, as much of the Texas grain we use is sourced straight from the Panhandle. That’s why we’re honored to be supporting the efforts of Panhandle Proud to bring this vital land back to its original state. Through the end of August, we will be donating $1 for every cocktail, beer or flight sold at our Tasting Room, 10% of gross proceeds from merch sales at our Visitor Center and matching up to $10,000. Join us as we do our part to rebuild the Panhandle, together. Donation made to Amarillo Area Foundation, amarilloareafoundation.org. Base donation of $5,000. The above activities are in addition to base donation. Qualifying purchases must be made 5/6/24 - 8/31/24. Learn more at PanhandleProud.org. #texaswhiskey #panhandleproud #texas #amarilloareafoundation