At the Balcones Distillery in Waco, TX, proprietor and head distiller Chip Tate marries innovation with traditional distillation methods to create premium, artisanal spirits that pay homage to America’s whiskey tradition. His passion for handcrafted spirits is evidenced by his attention to detail. “By building our own condensers, wash stills, heat exchangers, hot liquor tank, etc. we were able to build exactly the equipment we wanted to use to make spirits. We became extremely familiar with the tools of our trade. The equipment itself is one more level of the distilling process that we get to craft with our own hands,” says Tate. After careful inspection and approval of every stage of the production process, Chip and his team hand-dip each bottle of Balcones with wax as a seal of their approval.

Tasting notes

(123º) Made from roasted Hopi blue corn meal, this whiskey initially offers prominent aromas of nutty corn, slightly under-ripe fruit and flowers followed by hints of baking spices and sugared nuts. Flavors of caramel, honey and almond precede mature and balanced notes of sweet spices, vanilla bean, toffee and cocoa. The slightly piquant and zesty finish lends balance to the overall structure of this cask strength whiskey.