Balcones started in 2008 in a welding shop under a bridge in Waco, and it has become one of the defining names in American craft whisky. Lineage is the bottle that explains what the distillery is trying to do. The mashbill marries two barleys: Simpsons Golden Promise, an early maturing Scottish spring variety long prized by malt distillers for its depth of flavour before cheaper higher yielding strains displaced it, and locally grown malted barley from the West Texas High Plains. Distillation happens in copper pot stills built by Forsyths of Scotland, the same cooperage that supplies much of the Scotch industry. So the technique is Scottish and the provenance is Texan, which is the point of the name. Maturation splits the difference too, using both refill casks in the Scottish manner and virgin charred oak in the American one. The wood itself is worth noting: the staves are yard seasoned outdoors for thirty six months, close to four times the industry standard, which leaches out harsh tannins and gives a rounder, more nuanced oak character. Then Waco does the rest, because Texas heat swings drive maturation far harder than a Scottish warehouse ever would. The result is bottled at 47 percent without chill filtration. Expect a sweet and indulgent nose of cream soda, mulled cider, bruised banana and peach with a note of sourdough starter, then a palate of caramelised sweetness, soft oak, manuka honey and chestnut with a hint of red wine reduction. The finish builds late, with black tea, cinnamon and a slight prickle. Drink it neat.
ABV / Proof
| ABV |
47% |
| Proof |
94 |
| Size |
750ml |
| Country |
United States |
| Region |
Waco, Texas |
| Category |
American Single Malt Whisky |
| Expression |
Lineage |
| Mashbill |
Simpsons Golden Promise malted barley and Texas High Plains malted barley |
| Distillation |
Copper pot stills by Forsyths of Scotland |
| Maturation |
Virgin charred oak and refill oak, staves yard seasoned 36 months |
| Age |
No age statement |
| Filtration |
Non chill filtered |
| Distillery |
Balcones Distilling, founded 2008 |
Tasting Notes
Color: Deep amber with a warm copper cast.
Nose: Sweet and indulgent, with sourdough starter, cream soda, mulled cider, bruised banana and peach, and a subtle note of tea tree.
Palate: Caramelised sweetness over soft oak, with manuka honey, chestnut, pineapple cake and a hint of red wine reduction.
Finish: Builds late, warm and fruity, with toffee, malt sweetness, black tea, cinnamon and a slight prickle.
FAQ
What proof is Balcones Lineage? It is bottled at 94 proof, or 47 percent alcohol by volume, without chill filtration. Note that the ABV of individual bottles may vary slightly.
What barley is it made from? A combination of Simpsons Golden Promise, a Scottish variety long favoured for malt whisky, and malted barley grown on the Texas High Plains.
Is this Scotch? No. It is American single malt, distilled and matured in Waco, Texas. The Scottish influence is real, from the Golden Promise barley to the Forsyths pot stills, but the whisky is Texan.
Why is whisky spelled without an E? Balcones uses the Scottish spelling, reflecting the malt whisky tradition the distillery draws on.
What does 36 month stave seasoning mean? The oak staves used for its barrels are left outdoors to weather for three years before coopering, close to four times the industry norm. Extended seasoning reduces harsh tannins and produces a more nuanced wood character.
Where can I buy Balcones Lineage online? Available here at Liquor On Broadway while stock lasts, with fast insured shipping nationwide.
