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From almost the day. Integrating a strong mutual Texas heritage and love of whisky, the partnership focuses on a grain-to-glass approach to create a new whisky named 'Tres Hombres, ' the title of the band's first top 10 chart album that . Our distillers personally smell and taste every barrel of Balcones before bottling to ensure the quality and flavor that our fans have come to expect. From my notes: tastes more like moonshine than an aged whiskey.. Once again, chocolate and spice round out this rye whiskey. Our whiskies and spirits have been recognized worldwide for their bold and intense layers of flavor. Enjoy low warehouse prices on name-brand Spirits products. Being involved in an, industry steeped in both rich tradition and explorative innovation is part of what keeps, Jared committed to the creation of fine whiskiesthat, and getting to work alongside, some wonderful, thoughtful, diligent, and creative people. When he can get away from the, distillery, Jared can be found spending time outside with family, friends, good music, and. Since2013, Keith has managed and guided Balcones on its journey from small Waco whiskystartup to the internationally recognized, award-winning brand it is today. While few deals between entrepreneurs and investors collapse as dramatically, experts say the Balcones story fits an all-too-common pattern when it comes to start-ups, particularly in craft industries like artisanal distilling. The team also leverages distinctive high quality, and often locally sourced, original ingredients, including Texas-grown malted barley and roasted blue corn, to produce a range of highly decorated whiskies. Allen, of Virginia, said with the litigation resolved, it is important for the company and its 13 employees to press forward, which includes moving into the 65,000-square-foot Texas Fireproof Storage building at 225 S. 11th St. and dramatically expanding the business. However, Texas, along with many other states, are over-saturated with craft breweries (if theres such a thing). Were in the midst of an alcohol renaissance in America. This is an interesting bourbon. While Balcones whiskey saw immediate success, their business had a similar rocky start as the Balcones Escarpment. Balcones Texas Pot Still Bourbon may be the most popular option that Balcones offers. Balcones Distilling (Waco) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go These are authentic craft whiskies, and never combined with artificial coloring or flavoring. Its aged in a combination of new and charred American oak casks. Download PDF 2 November 2022: Today, Diageo announces it has acquired Balcones Distilling ('Balcones'), a Texas craft distiller and one of the leading producers of American Single Malt Whisky in the United States. Brand Balcones. In either case, by September 2014, the board had suspended Mr. Tate and filed a restraining order against him after the employee of a business associate said that Mr. Tate threatened to shoot Mr. Allen and burn down the distillery (an accusation Mr. Tate denies). Under Mr. Allen, now 52, that company had explosive growth, with sales rising to $520 million in 2010 from $26 million in 1991. [i] IWSR, volume[ii] IWSR, US Single Malt Whisky category volume. More than one person mentioned that he kept a loaded pistol in the distillery. . Spirits drinkers have over 2,000 distilleries, including more than 700 that primarily make bourbon and other types of whiskey. Mr. Allen gave Mr. Tate an ultimatum: either he would take a 60-day leave, or he would be suspended indefinitely. Born in Enid, Okla., he went east for a Harvard law degree and then west to Silicon Valley, where he specialized in venture capital financing. If youve only tried one Balcones whisky, its probably Baby Blue. In 2002, he followed his wife to Baylor University in Waco, where she became an assistant professor and he took a job as an assistant dean. Our Story - BALCONES If you dont enjoy smoky whiskies, dont open a bottle of this expression. Single Malt Scotch Whisky Straight Bourbon Whisky Single Malt Whisky Balcones Texas Pot Still Bourbon $29.95 Balcones Texas Pot Still Bourbon $29.95 Brand Balcones Quantity More Details Balcones Texas Single Malt Whiskey $69.95 Balcones Texas Single Malt Whiskey $69.95 Brand Balcones Quantity More Details Balcones Baby Blue $39.95 Lastly, they sought out to distill single malt whiskeys which are heavily associated with scotch. The finish is leathery with most of the spice coming in here, yet still fairly smooth. Costco? Chip Tate, founder of the Balcones distillery. Like the Lineage, Balcones Texas Single Malt has a sweet, fruity nose with hints of molasses. Whiskey Review: Balcones Luckenbach Have you ever tried something for your first time and the person next to you has big eyes asking enthusiastically, did you like it?, and you dont really know what to say? Balcones Whisky & Bourbon - The Original Texas Whisky - Bartrendr Chip put a marker in the ground showing how a small-scale distillery could actually work, said Dave Broom, the author of The World Atlas of Whisky.. Quick Look: Balcones - Texas Pot Still. Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own. When it comes to their classic selection, the whiskeys they offer year round, they range from 92 proof to 106 proof. Always working in batches, our whiskies are distilled slow and low, giving us plenty of precise control over the flavor and aroma profile of the spirit. In 2008, Balcones was nothing more than an idea driven by a passion to create something original and authentic, right here in the Heart of Texas. I havent been removed from anything, Tate said. Instead of just trying out a different recipe of pasta sauce or something boring like that, he decided that he wanted to start a Texas whisky tradition. Mr. Allen had no experience with the distilling industry, but, he said, I got excited about the romantic concept of helping these people build their dream.. We want quality because it is a reflection on us, a reflection on Balcones, and it is going to be a reflection on Waco, he said. Balcones Distilling LLC | LinkedIn Tasting it revealed a surprising nutty flavor along with toasted marshmallows and more oak. Onhis off days, Keith retreats to his happy place, playing with his two beloved pugs, Rummieand Bella, and enjoying a glass of True Blue Cask, which he likens to liquid caramel popcorn. Balcones is considered a craft distillery, so no major spirits producer owns them. If you get a divorce, either you keep the house or I keep the house, but we both dont keep the house.. schedule, Thomas hits the road, traveling the world with his wife, Ellen. Its like sticking your head inside a barbecue smoker and taking a sip of the air. He is good at what he does and the team is good at what it does. Aged for a minimum of 24 months. This translates to a delightful weight on the tongue, giving whisky a distinct density on the palate. We review dozens of whiskeys every month - get our favorites right in your inbox. It was released in 2018 to celebrate their 10 year anniversary. That has not changed, he said, although he didnt foresee the problems he encountered in the litigation with Tate. Website http://balconesdistilling.com Industries Beverage. Legendary distiller Chip Tate built and founded Balcones in 2008 in a former welding shop. Board members say they fired Tate and removed him from the board, while Tate insists he resigned from the board and as president of the Waco-based company. Along with a majority of the shares, Mr. Allen got to appoint three of the five board members. Vital Stats: This is batch TPSB21-3 from 8-16-2021. Click on the prices if youre interested in trying any of these yourself. Now that weve covered some of the basics, lets look at Balcones whiskey. Jared (Himstedt) and Keith (Bellinger) are the leadership, and right now they are representative of a group of 13 people who get in there every morning and slug it out. And he said that he didnt threaten to burn down the distillery, but rather that without him in control, an accident was likely. Balcones Distilling chairman Greg Allen said: Balcones started with an idea driven by an innovative spirit and passion to create something original and authentic in the heart of Texas. Balcones Distilling founder Tate bought out by board - Waco Tribune-Herald Find new favorites to add to your liquor cabinet! It takes a buyer and a seller, he said. In 1991, he returned home to help run the Advance Food Company, his familys food-processing business. Its coming in without understanding what theyre investing in., Balcones, meanwhile, is moving forward with its expansion plans, and Mr. Tate is looking for space for his next venture, Tate & Company Distillery. They also began to schedule more board meetings, sometimes three a month, all of which Mr. Tate said he refused to attend. In 2020, Jack Daniels topped the charts selling 12.3 million cases with Jim Beam not far behind at 10.7 million cases. After receiving a philosophy degree from the College of William & Mary, Mr. Tate, who is from Lynchburg, Va., studied theology at Union Presbyterian Seminary in Richmond. The American whiskey industry is booming, and with the proven market power of craft products, small distillers are becoming takeover targets for big business. It has a nice kick of roasted corn that plays well with various other flavors like butterscotch and spicy cinnamon. By June, it had become clear that the new distillery was going to cost not $8 million, but more than $12 million. Its cask strength, bold, and rich. Our benevolent overseer, President and COO Keith Bellinger, has spent over three decadesas an executive in the alcoholic beverage industry, manning the helms of some of thebiggest names in the business, most recently at Castle Brands Inc. in New York City. SNX DLX: This Weeks Best Sneaker Drops, Including The AJ 12 Brilliant Orange, AJ 7 Chambray And More! Chip Tate founded Balcones in 2008. Mr. Michaels arranged a call between Mr. Allen and Mr. Tate, and a few weeks later Mr. Allen, who already had a business trip to Texas on his schedule, stopped in Waco to see Balcones up close. Tres Hombres Texas Whisky originally debuted in November 2021. The nose is all sweet corn. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Barrel and Brew is a whiskey review blog dedicated to tasting and reviewing a wide variety of whiskeys. Balcones Texas Single Malt Whiskey He resented the idea that Mr. Allens people thought they knew how to run a distillery better than he did and he had the sales numbers and awards to prove it. Thats where the blind taste test comes in. On the side, while caring for a growing family (he has five children), he began to dream of turning his love for home brewing into a business; when it became obvious that Texas was flush with new breweries but had almost nothing in the way of distilleries, he decided to make whiskey instead. But, several of Mr. Tates former employees say, his passion could be overwhelming, and he could be erratic and verbally abusive and prone to lashing out. Below are frequently asked question about Balcones. Its still worth trying as it may just be your favorite. Balcones Bourbon But building a new still, in a new space, would take serious capital at least $4.1 million, Mr. Tate estimated, much more than he or his two investors could afford. Its not that their super expensive rather that there are better bourbons, ryes, and single malts out there for a cheaper price. They would provide the money, and I would run the distillery, he said. I am a certified Whiskey Specialist who reviews and blogs about all different types of whiskey. For Keith, working with the good people at Balcones and observing the, cooperation and coordination among all our departments is what brings joy to his work. Theres a smoky whisky, a sweet single malt, a rye whisky, and some of the best bourbon made outside of the Blue Grass State. If youre looking for something more potent with a more complicated flavor profile, try something else from the brand. Some thoughts based on these official pronouncements. We have always held the belief that whisky should be made in whisky stills, and that is why we tapped the brilliant minds and hands of Forsyths of Scotland to build our magnificent copper pot stills. Texas is the perfect example, leading the craft spirits charge with the likes of Garrison Brothers, Firestone & Robertson, Still Austin, and Balcones. The name comes from the Balcones Escarpment, a series of cliffs and rocky structures that runs through Waco, TX. However, whiskeys such as TX Whiskey and Balcones are starting to put Texas on the map as a premier state for distilling. Balcones Single Malt Review - The Whiskey Jug Your email address will not be published. Overall, not a very complex whiskey. Rock & Roll Hall of Famers, ZZ Top, and Balcones Distilling announced today their collaboration on a one-of-a-kind whisky. For more information about Diageo, our people, our brands, and performance, visit us at www.diageo.com. On the palate, layers of toasted malt and honey give way to mellow notes of baked pears and . So which should you try first? It has been entertaining, he said. Deep Eddys Sweet Tea Vodka was also my favorite alcohol back in high school. Find a great collection of Spirits at Costco. Bottles are filled along a production line. The super premium and above whisk(e)y segment has seen consistent volume growth in the US in recent years, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 13.3% from 2016 to 2021. Our flagship whisky, '1' Texas Single Malt, is our pride and joy, made using quality Scottish barley and aged in premium oak barrels. Founded in Waco, Texas in 2008, Balcones is a celebrated player in the emerging whisk(e)y movement in Texas, with a diverse portfolio of award-winning super premium and above whiskies, including Texas 1 American Single Malt, Lineage American Single Malt and Baby Blue Corn Whisky. Place is cozy, with capacity for about 30-40 people , i would say at most. Tate, whose salary was $175,000 a year, said he offered to buy his partners out, but they declined. 2 November 2022: Today, Diageo announces it has acquired Balcones Distilling (Balcones), a Texas craft distiller and one of the leading producers of American Single Malt Whisky in the United States. Many investors see that approach as old-fashioned, but weve taken time to find a group were proud to call partners.. While that might sound . Its no secret to brewers and chefs alike: ingredients matter. Palate: Oak and citrus with spices. Well cover the differences, taste, price, and more of each of these 5 whiskeys. Example: Yes, I would like to receive emails from Balcones. Balcones' Single Malt Whisky Family Photo, courtesy Balcones Distilling American single malt whiskey is the fastest growing whiskey category in the US. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Shop Balcones Online - SipWhiskey.com Fans of beer have over 8,000 breweries to choose from (compare that to a decade ago when there were less than 2,000). (You can unsubscribe anytime), Jared Himstedt, our head distiller, whetted his appetite for distilling first as a home brewer, and a manager of Dancing Bear pub, a craft beer bar here in Waco, Texas. Balcones founder Tate building 2nd distillery from scratch By J.B. SMITH Jul 27, 2015 0 1 of 3 Chip Tate at his new distillery, with tanks he bought from a Baltimore brewery. Rapid temperature swings are a part of our regions weather characteristic, and these quick shifts force barrels to breathe at a much faster rate than in traditional whisky-making regions. He even made his own barrels. A $40 bottle isnt going to break your bank, but there are better options out there. The palate proved surprisingly light with charred oak, cracked black pepper, and pipe tobacco. Mike and I had a lot of money exposed, Mr. Allen said. What is important now is that this is a great company with great people running it, Allen said. This non-chill filtered whisky is made from 100 percent malted barley, copper pot distilled, and is aged for two years in American oak barrels. Please subscribe to keep reading. <br><br> The Balcones distillery is housed within an old welding shop under a bridge in Waco, Texas. When Mr. Tate founded Balcones, there were about 100; today there are nearly 500. In early 2013, another Charlottesville businessman, Noell Michaels, called him about an opportunity to invest in a rapidly growing craft distillery called Balcones. Balcones Tres Hombres Texas Whisky was created in collaboration with Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Texas band, ZZ Top. Distilled using Texas-grown Elbon Rye, this whisky was first produced to celebrate the distillerys tenth anniversary. Overall, this is a very complex, highly drinkable whiskey. Mr. Tate says he never guaranteed the $4.1 million price tag: I told them what was perfectly known and unknown to the best of my knowledge. And, he said, those unknowns were pretty large, because the stills were being built by a Scottish manufacturer according to Mr. Tates custom design. The average price of a 750ml bottle of Balcones Lineage is in the $35-45 range. It tastes the way youd expect a Texas-based bourbon to taste potent and BIG. Balcones Texas Rye 100 Proof is a 100% rye whiskey made with Elbon rye, crystal rye, chocolate rye, and roasted rye. Currently, Greg Allen, the investor is the largest owner of Balcones Distilling. His first release, a young whiskey called Baby Blue, won a double gold, the highest honor in its category, at the prestigious San Francisco World Spirits Competition. For Keith, working with the good people at Balcones and observing thecooperation and coordination among all our departments is what brings joy to his work. The finish is warming, fruity, and sweet. About. The only thing its missing is a little time in oak. In Waco, Texas there is a distillery that's making waves in the whiskey world for over a decade. Just as craft beer is more expensive than domestic beer so. Throw in some Texas barley, and its a Texas version of scotch. Overall, this is an okay whiskey but nothing to write home about. 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We use the highest quality, Texas-grown ingredients and distill in traditional copper pot stills, but our secret is the wild temperature swings that mature the liquid for a taste only found in this great state. I noticed hints of sweet corn, caramel candy, butterscotch, vanilla, and dried fruits. This smoked corn whisky is just that supremely smoky. It shouldnt be any surprise that we approach it differently all of our distillers have a long history with brewing. In 2008, Chip Tate, with the help of an investor, turned an old welding shop into a distillery thus creating Balcones Distilling. However, the unique climate of Texas changes that paradigm completely. However, the bottle I bought was from the second release . This whisky has everything youd want in a nice, end of summer or early fall sipper. (714) 221-0680. www.havengastropub.com. Obviously, Balcones is most well-known for its bourbon so it should come as no surprise that it only makes one year-round rye. I mostly write about the water of life, better known as whisky. I dont think the investors fully understood the craft mentality, he said. Appearance: Rich amber color with a hint of red. In Texas, youre looking at a bottle costing between $50-60. After a dispute with new investors, he was forced out of the company. First is that if an independent operation is running a good business and making great whisky as Balcones certainly do, Diageo may eventually come calling flowers in hand and ready to woo. Also Read: The Top 5 UPROXX Bourbon Posts Of 2021. Discover why Balcones is 'The Spirit of Texas', and discover the award winning whiskies and spirits. Spirits | Costco And plans continued apace for a new 65,000-square-foot distillery nearby, 30 times the size of the old one. Its the most expensive bottle among their classic selection, but its also the strongest. Diageo acquires leading Texas super premium whisky distiller, Balcones After a few weeks of negotiations, Mr. Allen agreed to buy Mr. Germers and Mr. Rockafellows shares, and then, with Mr. Rockafellow, invest $8.5 million in Balcones. We review 10-15 whiskeys a month. For the next year, we replaced the roofing, knocked out walls, laid brick, cut pipes, installed copper pot stills from Portugal, and shoehorned a whisky distillery inside that quaint building. Mr. Tate found what seemed like a perfect solution: Gregory S. Allen, a businessman from Virginia with money to burn. After declining for nearly 30 years, American whiskey sales were up 34 percent from 2008 to 2013, according to the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States, and up more than 100 percent for super-premium whiskey of the sort that Balcones specialized in. create fine craft whisky. While his happy hour beverage of choice is typically a Kolsch,Pilsner, or IPA, his Balcones favorite is a tie between the True Blue 100, for its balance ofoak intensity and grain complexity, and our Texas Rum, proofed down to 50% ABV to letthe fruity esters pop out of suspension. When theres a break in our rigorous productionschedule, Thomas hits the road, traveling the world with his wife, Ellen. It is named after the Balcones Escarpment, a series of cliffs and rocky structures that separates east Texas from west Texas. All our whisky barrels have matured on this site since then, but we always imagined that one day it would make an excellent site for Balcones. There are hints of caramel corn and subtle spices as well, but not much else. The result is rich, nutty, sweet whisky. Upon first taste of Balcones Texas Rye, I noticed one thing its unique. This is one of the most interesting whiskies on this list. Probably not. Jared Himstedt, our head distiller, whetted his appetite for distilling first as a home brewerand a manager of Dancing Bear pub, a craft beer bar here in Waco, Texas. Some of our favorite whiskey hails from Colorado, Texas, Maryland, Tennessee, and other, Read More Wyoming Whiskey: In-Depth ReviewContinue, Jim Beam vs Jack Daniels is an interesting comparison as the two American whiskeys are by far the largest sellers of whiskey in the world. He rejected the offer and proposed either raising the money himself or buying out Mr. Allen. The first Texas-made whisky to hit the market since prohibition, Baby Blue is made with roasted blue corn. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. Established in 2008, Bourbon Street offers "Southern Inspired" cuisine in the heart of historic Is it my favorite rye? From almost the day Mr. Tate opened the distillery in Waco, Tex., in 2008 Balcones grew like a weed, with sales of its corn and malt whiskey doubling each year. But the mess in Waco raises a question of how easily distiller-artists like Mr. Tate can accommodate investors who expect them to manage not just a whiskey still but a balance sheet, too. Balcones Single Malt Whiskey 750ml 82 reviews $69.99 Pick Up In stock Delivery Available Add to Cart More Like This Balcones Brimstone 750ml 42 reviews $49.99 Pick Up Limited quantity Delivery Available Add to Cart More Like This Barrel Select Balcones Texas Rye Cask Strength Barrel Select 750ml 17 reviews $66.99 Pick Up Limited quantity Luke is a Level I Certified Whiskey Specialist with a passion for exploring and unearthing the best whiskeys around. You respond saying hmmm I dont know its interesting, though. Thanks to Tates successor as head distiller, Jared Himstedt, the whisky stayed delicious and the praise has kept coming. (Its Texas, Mr. Tate told me.). Made with New Mexico blue corn, Texas wheat, and Texas malted barley, this pot still distilled bourbon is matured on new, charred American oak barrels.