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Ratings & Reviews
Member Reviews and Ratings of Balcones Texas Rye 100 Proof
Thomas,
Honestly this is one of the worst Rye's I've ever tasted
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,
Lots of cocoa and tobacco with a light mint at the end. Love sipping neat
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,
I know it's sacrilege, but this is excellent in a manhattan.
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,
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,
No. Spicy but harsh, kerosene quality. Not enjoyable at all.
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,
Simply delicious. A hint of chocolate echoes itself throughout and its smooth as hell
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,
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,
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,
Not at all a fan. Rye flavor is off for me.
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,
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,
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,
Too much pepper
Jun,
Really good and spicy.
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,
The hints of tobacco were not appealing, but the rest was nice.
Mike,
Nice sweet/spicy balance
John,
Solid to make into a cocktail.
Dave,
Smelled like tequila
Sean,
It’s alright
Davin,
Great mixture of sweet and smoke.
Brian,
Not a fan
Nic,
Almost tasted like a scotch.
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,
Definitely a spicy drink. It lingers in your tough.
Jeremy,
I love it! Not a rye fan until this one.
Dennis,
I’m not a smoker, but if you are, you can taste the Tobacco.
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,
Not my cup of tea.
Brendan,
The chocolate On the palate is overpowering and really off putting.
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,
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,
Really liked it's sweet spicey-ness. Got it in the whiskey advent calendar and enjoyed it a lot.
Anne,
Really liked it's sweet spicey-ness. Got it in the whiskey advent calendar and enjoyed it a lot.
Chris,
A bit spicy for me. Still a good one to drink.
Brandon,
Delicious. Chocolate and sweet tobacco. The single sample left me wanting more.
Kevin,
Normally enjoy a good eye but this wasn't my fave.
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,
Tobacco chocolate start moving into slight mint and finishing with a harsh, strong rye that stays on the tongue.
Justin,
Excellent value. Spice w chocolate. A more complex profile than the price tag suggests.
RODNEY,
This is a great rye with a lot of complexity for the price.
Makes an awesome szarac
Thomas,
This was terrible. Would NOT recommend.
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,
Love the chocolate taste. Subtle and tasty
Jessica,
Aggressive spicy flavor profile. Bite of rye with a pepper finish. The aroma of tobacco was appropriate to the taste.
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,
Terrible. No redeeming quality
Andrew,
Interesting. Wow -- spicy chocolate!
Matthew,
lots of flavor
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,
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,
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,
Different than I expected. Chocolate more forward than I expected. Enjoying it. Sort of thing it’d mix well.
Briana,
Chocolate w light oak
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,
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,
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,
Very chocolaty, a great after dinner whiskey.
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,
Very chocolatey and a little too sweet
Zachary,
Didn't really enjoy the flavor
Liz,
Is this hot cocoa mixed with coffee and a shot of rye whiskey?
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,
The cocoa finish is unexpected but tasty. Sample in my advent calendar. This is something fun I’d like to share with friends.
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,
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,
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,
Like the chocolate flavor...a nice dessert whiskey
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,
Loved the unique chocolate flavor
guest,
Smooth, peppery
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,
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,
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,
Thought I smoked a pack of cigarettes
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,
Decent, but not my best rye.
guest,
Smooth
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,
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,
Tastes like absolute dirt. Awful. Dumped the whole bottle.
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,
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,
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,
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.
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