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Balcones Texas Rye 100 Proof
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Balcones Texas Rye 100 Proof

(0.75l, 50%)


6.3/10
Price:
$41.99
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Absolutely 100% Rye and absolutely a Texan. 

Ten years ago, Balcones was a tiny startup distillery in an old welding shop under a bridge in Waco, Texas. After it was all refurbished and equipped with copper pot stills from Portugal, a new shiny Whisky distillery was born, and the magic could start.

In addition to a classic Texas Single Malt, and two blue corn Whiskies, Balcones makes a breathtakingly good 100% Rye Whisky, made from Elbon Rye from Northwest Texas. In a wonderful magic following traditional recipes and methods, a real champion arises. This very expression is a celebration of the distillery's 10th anniversary and it's bottled at 100 proof. It's aged in new and charred oak barrels under two years in the moody climate of Texas, where temperatures swing from scorching hot to cozy cold in just one day and where barrels breathe at a much faster rate. It's also diluted with Hill Country spring water and there are no dirty additives and no flavor enhancements. It's pure and superb. 
  • Category
    Rye
  • Style
    Rye Whisky
  • Region
    Texas
  • Country
    United States
  • Alcohol
    50%
  • Distillery
    Balcones Distillery
  • Age
    1 Year Old

Flavor Spiral™

About The Flavor Spiral

Close
chocolate
pepper
chocolate mint
cocoa
tobacco
oak
corn
butter
rye
What does Balcones Texas Rye 100 Proof taste like?

The Flavor Spiral™ shows the most common flavors that you'll taste in Balcones Texas Rye 100 Proof and gives you a chance to have a taste of it before actually tasting it.

We invented Flavor Spiral™ here at Flaviar to get all your senses involved in tasting drinks and, frankly, because we think that classic tasting notes are boring.

Tasting Notes
Appearance / Color
Deep amber

Nose / Aroma / Smell
Cocoa, pepper and espresso on the nose with a hint of chocolate.

Flavor / Taste / Palate
Silky espresso, tobacco and chocolate flavor with mint touch, followed by pepper and oak.

Finish
A robust mint finish with hints of dry oak and cedar.

This drink is featured in

Balcones Whiskey Flight
Balcones Whiskey Flight
Don't mess with Texas
Whisk(e)y
6.3/10
$41.99

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Ratings & Reviews
Member Reviews and Ratings of Balcones Texas Rye 100 Proof
Thomas
Thomas,
Honestly this is one of the worst Rye's I've ever tasted
 
Ben
Ben,
Tasted this as part of the pack and it was the only spirit capable of even partially redeeming the other two. I’ve rarely tasted anything that sips exactly the same as the tasting notes, but this is one of those. STRONG tobacco, cocoa and pepper and the longest, spiciest finish. All that said, it’s just not my thing. Is it different? Yes. Is it worth a try? Sure! It’s just not my favorite.
 
Jarrod
Jarrod,
Lots of cocoa and tobacco with a light mint at the end. Love sipping neat
 
Darrell
Darrell,
Wow this is a unique and wonderful rye. Amazing notes if chocolate, coffee, spice & leather envelope the senses. It is a surprising pick up at this cost of under $50.
 
Powell
Powell,
I know it's sacrilege, but this is excellent in a manhattan.
 
Marc
Marc,
It's definitely interesting. Spicy, chocolatey, leather, cocoa. I really enjoy it, its unique. With a classic Balcones tinge you get from many bottlings across their lineup, like a toasted, charred wood note.
 
Lukas
Lukas,
Sweet notes of chocolate on the nose with a strong bite indicative of a rye, it finishes like a smooth cigar. It’s a beautiful melody that dances across the tongue with a sweet and lingering tobacco aftertaste. Will most definitely be purchasing more of this.
 
James
James,
No. Spicy but harsh, kerosene quality. Not enjoyable at all.
 
John
John,
This is some tasty stuff, with a strong aroma of chocolate and cocoa; also flavor-forward with cocoa and undertones of cocoa nibs, tobacco and leather. I like it a lot.
 
Brian
Brian,
Simply delicious. A hint of chocolate echoes itself throughout and its smooth as hell
 
Adrian
Adrian,
This one is going to take me a few sips to get used to. This is my first Texas Rye (or any whiskey) and I was shocked at the strong cocoa and tobacco flavors after only 1 year in the barrel. Wow! It tasted like I was sucking a leather belt while smoking a pipe! I am going to try and use this in a cocktail and see if some added sweetness might mellow out the palate.
 
Daniel
Daniel,
Reasonably good. Spicy, got better as it went through first tasting. Not a huge fan of Rye, but this one was different enough that worth going back.
 
Jonathon
Jonathon,
Not my favorite Rye, but definitely an experience. The spice tones are strong, but tough straight. Added some ice, got better. Amazing in an Old Fashioned.
 
Patrick
Patrick,
Not at all a fan. Rye flavor is off for me.
 
Jason
Jason,
Love this whiskey because it’s different and tastes good. What’s the point of having 15 to 20 of relatively the same tasting whiskeys in your stash....boooring. Smooth rye, heavy chocolate and pepper on the nose and tongue with a sweet lingering finish!
 
Aaron
Aaron,
This has a strong dark chocolate flavor. A little bitter like cocoa, with a long finish. Wife who doesn’t really like whiskey enjoyed it.
 
Mike
Mike,
Everyone talks about chocolate and I was skeptical as often people describe flavors that I don’t get on the palate... I’ll be damned if this does not have heavy chocolate notes. Some other nice notes that balance with the rye spice... problem is the chocolate does not work for me. Dominates the finish and does not really belong... it is different I guess.
 
Jerrod
Jerrod,
Too much pepper
 
Jun
Jun,
Really good and spicy.
 
Robert
Robert,
Very nice balance of the sweet/spicy. The first sip can be a tad harsh when first poured into the glass (no ice or water, straight) but I've found that if I let it sit in the glass for about 5 minutes or so that harshness goes away.
 
Matt
Matt,
The hints of tobacco were not appealing, but the rest was nice.
 
Mike
Mike,
Nice sweet/spicy balance
 
John
John,
Solid to make into a cocktail.
 
Dave
Dave,
Smelled like tequila
 
Sean
Sean,
It’s alright
 
Davin
Davin,
Great mixture of sweet and smoke.
 
Brian
Brian,
Not a fan
 
Nic
Nic,
Almost tasted like a scotch.
 
Philip
Philip,
My wife and I split a 50 mL sample. We did not finish it. The chocolate is overpowering and cheap tasting. Like a cup of off brand chocolate milk that got left out and evaporated, and then you swiped the reduced sludge with your finger. I blended a tsp of this rye with a 1-2 tsp each of bulleit rye, Sazerac, and whistlepig, and it was much more interesting. It brought a chocolate note that was more subtle. While we did not enjoy it neat, it might be interesting in a cocktail, or add a chocolate note to a blend or infinity bottle. We poured the remaining half of our glass back into the sample bottle. Maybe we will experiment again on a rainy day.
 
Sergio
Sergio,
Definitely a spicy drink. It lingers in your tough.
 
Jeremy
Jeremy,
I love it! Not a rye fan until this one.
 
Dennis
Dennis,
I’m not a smoker, but if you are, you can taste the Tobacco.
 
Ryan
Ryan,
I love the flavor from this. Unlike any of my other ryes. The rich, dark flavors of tobacco and chocolate are definitely in my favorites.
 
Steve
Steve,
Not my cup of tea.
 
Brendan
Brendan,
The chocolate On the palate is overpowering and really off putting.
 
Abel
Abel,
One of the best Rye whiskeys I’ve ever had. A complexity that is more tea than heat. It wonderful neat or in a cocktail. I believe this to be the best rye for an Old Fashion, in my lame opinion.
 
Lawrence
Lawrence,
I love the chocolate in this rye. I am normally not a sweet enthusiat and do not enjoy Bourbon. This is very different than most Rye’s !
 
Anne
Anne,
Really liked it's sweet spicey-ness. Got it in the whiskey advent calendar and enjoyed it a lot.
 
Anne
Anne,
Really liked it's sweet spicey-ness. Got it in the whiskey advent calendar and enjoyed it a lot.
 
Chris
Chris,
A bit spicy for me. Still a good one to drink.
 
Brandon
Brandon,
Delicious. Chocolate and sweet tobacco. The single sample left me wanting more.
 
Kevin
Kevin,
Normally enjoy a good eye but this wasn't my fave.
 
Josh
Josh,
Probably my favorite from Balcones, although not necessarily saying much. There are a lot of earthy flavors that come out in this one.
 
Robert
Robert,
Tobacco chocolate start moving into slight mint and finishing with a harsh, strong rye that stays on the tongue.
 
Justin
Justin,
Excellent value. Spice w chocolate. A more complex profile than the price tag suggests.
 
RODNEY
RODNEY,
This is a great rye with a lot of complexity for the price. Makes an awesome szarac
 
Thomas
Thomas,
This was terrible. Would NOT recommend.
 
Zane
Zane,
Easily the most flavorful American whiskey I have tried in a long time. Tastes great straight and holds up well in a cocktail even in small proportions. Will definitely buy again
 
Jim
Jim,
Love the chocolate taste. Subtle and tasty
 
Jessica
Jessica,
Aggressive spicy flavor profile. Bite of rye with a pepper finish. The aroma of tobacco was appropriate to the taste.
 
Antti
Antti,
It is a very good, rich, 100% Elbon Rye Whiskey that has an aromatic birth; while a rich & silky life leads to a delicate & minty death with hints of buttered corn, dry oak & cedar.
 
Jeff
Jeff,
Terrible. No redeeming quality
 
Andrew
Andrew,
Interesting. Wow -- spicy chocolate!
 
Matthew
Matthew,
lots of flavor
 
Matthew
Matthew,
Color is amber. Nose starts with a little youth. A little sweetness, with darker notes of chocolate and cocoa follow, with even deeper and more subtle oak. First sip is dark and herbal, with notes of cocoa and oak, and a generally earthy flavor. Mouthfeel is is neither viscous nor thin. Some youth on the palate, but the notes almost accent the cocoa and herbal tones. Finish is a combination of herbal tones and youthfulness. Overall, surprisingly flavorful for its age, and nice cocoa-filled palate for a pleasant change up in the Rye category.
 
Jeff
Jeff,
Lots of chocolate flavor up front and all the way through, really. Sort of straw like flavor after that and then spicy at the end. Agree that it is more of an aperitif due to it sweetness. Probably great with coffee or Kahlua
 
Todd
Todd,
Chocolate and cocoa very prevalent. A little too sweet and chocolatey for my taste in a rye, but not bad for a one year old.
 
John
John,
Different than I expected. Chocolate more forward than I expected. Enjoying it. Sort of thing it’d mix well.
 
Briana
Briana,
Chocolate w light oak
 
Charles
Charles,
Hands down best rye ive ever had. Spicy black pepper nose, warm and chocolaty taste with tobacco and espresso, long dense finish of chocolate.
 
Paul
Paul,
I enjoyed this more than I expected; smooth given the proof, age and price point, chocolate and sweet up front, chili pepper on the finish. Nose is raisins and leather.
 
Stephen
Stephen,
With heavy notes of chocolate and cocoa this drinks more like a desert. Would be very nice late at night after a meal, definitely not something to sip while eating other foods. But overall quite nice.
 
Matt
Matt,
Very chocolaty, a great after dinner whiskey.
 
Daniel
Daniel,
Aroma:. A malty tequila? Taste: peppery spice, hints of chocolate and tobacco. On ice: tobacco on chocolate more prominent. Meh, not great compared to other ryes. Overall ok.
 
Angela
Angela,
Very chocolatey and a little too sweet
 
Zachary
Zachary,
Didn't really enjoy the flavor
 
Liz
Liz,
Is this hot cocoa mixed with coffee and a shot of rye whiskey?
 
Jennifer
Jennifer,
This came in my sampler and you can really taste chocolate marshmallow minty ness with this still being an amazing whiskey. It’s one of my faves so far.
 
Stephanie
Stephanie,
The cocoa finish is unexpected but tasty. Sample in my advent calendar. This is something fun I’d like to share with friends.
 
Ryan
Ryan,
Really enjoyed this, and a great value. The chocolate notes are apparent, as advertised. Ironically I get some sweet corn in the nose and front of the palate ending with grain and a slow finish. Primary criticism would be a short finish with a bit of a sting going down
 
Brendan
Brendan,
Sweat on the nose, almost like cherries, but that admittedly isn't listed in the flavor spiral. Unfortunately, this rye is very harsh to taste and overpowers the other flavors. There is some chocolate in the aftertaste. Once I added some ice the harshness was diluted and the chocolate was more prevalent, but overall the balance is still off.
 
Burton
Burton,
This is my second review of this dram. I tasted it blind this time, and appreciated it more. The nose shares a buttery cocoa concoction. The taste is chocolate brownies baked over a mesquite fire. It is immediately obviously Texan in heritage. I am really appreciating that region, and Balcones in particular.
 
Michael
Michael,
Like the chocolate flavor...a nice dessert whiskey
 
Mr.
Mr.,
So awful! Undrinkable! I poured it down the sink. I was really surprised, because the Balcones Single Malt was wonderful and the Balcones Baby Blue Corn whiskey was decent. I like a good rye, so it's not that I'm biased. This was astringent, painful to drink. Harsh on the tongue and harsh in the throat.
 
Jared
Jared,
Loved the unique chocolate flavor
 
guest
guest,
Smooth, peppery
 
Robyn
Robyn,
I wanted this to be my favorite of the group because I classically enjoy ryes most of American whiskeys, but this was harsh abs average at best. The decent flavors underneath were hard to get to, and that’s coming from someone who enjoys a good bite to their whiskey.
 
Ryan
Ryan,
I usually dont care for Rye at all but Balcones changed my mind, theres something special about this Whiskey that I dont get with my Scotch. Theres a sharp dark chocolate bitterness almost like a dark mint wet earth flavor that lingers after you swallow. Its strange but oh so satisfying.
 
Benjamin
Benjamin,
I did not care for this rye one bit. The tobacco, chocolate and ashtray flavors are overpowering. It's a death match between flavors that don't agree with my palate. I was excited to try it, but the ashtray component makes this rye undrinkable.
 
Warren
Warren,
Thought I smoked a pack of cigarettes
 
Burton
Burton,
Straight away i smell that Texas mesquite aroma. A bit deeper is cacao, and it lingers nicely. Almost a mint chocolate tasting note and again mesquite. Finished with bitter chocolate. It has that Balcones family lineage in spades.
 
Todd
Todd,
Decent, but not my best rye.
 
guest
guest,
Smooth
 
Jon
Jon,
Dark chocolate all the way! I'm recently a huge fan of and whiskey or whisky with a hint or a lot of chocolate in the flavor. Not flavored mind you, but say from chocolate malt or other aging methods. Easily one of my top ryes. Heat but smooth.
 
Scott
Scott,
Another one of their products that tastes more like flavored white spirits. Thin body, high alcohol, harsh and tastes like drinking a flavored moonshine
 
Rod
Rod,
Tastes like absolute dirt. Awful. Dumped the whole bottle.
 
Christopher
Christopher,
I have to say, this rye is like no other anyone could ever have. My wife doesn't drink whisky, but when I try something new I always ask her (an inexperienced nose and palate) to tell me what she smells and tastes. Right off, we both smell chocolate! This is a highly unusual whiskey. First taste is rye, then immediately a cocoa and finished really smooth like you just drank a hot cup of cocoa. If you want to experience a whiskey with a natural taste of chocolate, this is it! Great experience! Will stock this one!
 
Rob
Rob,
My first attempt at Rye this was surprisingly nice although a bit stronger than Johnnie Walker black (my go to) but similar taste I would definitely recommend.
 
Alex
Alex,
A rock solid rye! Definitely potent in power & flavor. Not over spicy or smoky, but not sweet either. That being said, it’ll put hairs on your chest and don’t underestimate the bite! A wonderfully sipping whisky from the great state of Texas!
 
Morgan
Morgan,
Too much chocolate for me. The scent carried the cocoa and a hint of mint. The initial taste brought the rye pepper spice, but immediately was overshadowed by the thick cocoa body and the lingering cocoa powder after taste. Not bad, but not the flavor profile I like in a Rye. I imagine blended into a bit of espresso, you'd have the makings of a solid dessert drink. Balcones makes some great stuff, this one just didn't do it for me.
 
Christopher
Christopher,
Well worth the price. Smooth overall
 
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