Founded in 2008, with operations commencing in 2009, Balcones Distilling claims the mantle of first Texas whiskey on the market since prohibition. Located in Waco, TX, their operation began with the refurbishing of an old industrial space. (Side note, something about this type of arrangement “feels” right for whiskey production.) They’ve since grown within Waco, re-purposing another old storage building and have expanded nationally since. Today, we look at their corn expression with the Balcones Baby Blue Corn Whisky review. (Whiskey Rising also reviewed Balcones Texas Bourbon, Texas Rye and Texas Single Malt.)
Balcones doesn’t list a definitive mash bill for Baby Blue, only saying it is crafted from roasted blue corn. Corn whiskey’s requirement to comprise of at least 80% corn leaves open the possibility of other grains contributing. My bottle, dated December 14, 2019, states an aging of at least 6 months. Balcones claims the short duration as irrelevant due to the rapid weather shifts in their part of Texas, forcing a faster aging process due to the contraction and expansion of cold and hot temperatures. The bottles contain a batch number, but unfortunately mine is illegible due to a smudge. Landing at 92 proof (46% ABV), lets take a look at Baby Blue!
Bottle and Appearance
In the glass, Baby Blue presents a yellow topaz hue. This slightly differs from the bottle, wherein a hazy amber appears. Swirling it in the glass forms a fairly thick syrupy coating. Beads do eventually form at spread out intervals (social distancing?) that barely move. I actually grew engrossed in watching to see what they would do, but eventually needed to move on. The bottle itself sports a classy baby blue sticker that stands out on the shelf.
Nose
Lifting the whiskey to nose produces a mild prickling sensation, and quickly comes to resemble a sweet grape white wine during the first whiff. Vanilla tones exist within it, and waffle between prominence and secrecy. The overall expression is underlined by a mixture of pineapple and sugar. The nose works well together. Three distinct layers offer something different, but contribute equally. A sweetness exists but mildly and not overbearing.
Palate
Baby Blue makes a very smooth entrance, that doesn’t tilt one way to any specific effect. Not surprisingly given the mash bill, a buttered corn profile emerges in both texture and taste. Toffee and slight hints of red cherry add a touch of sweetness that, like the nose, feels soft yet apropos. Also like the nose, the palate notes work well together. An abundance of various flavors do not exist that require combing. However, those that do exist both promote each other while also standing on their own. Very nice experience.
Finish
So far so great, but unfortunately the wheels fall off a bit here. The simple yet layered nose and palate devolve into an ethanol burn. The sensation, simply stated, engulfs the finish. Surprisingly, a fairly distinct peach profile accompanies the ethanol, but never overtakes the experience nor even fully mitigates the burn. It more or less helps it to divert disaster. The peach does pleasantly linger for a while, but the memory of the burn never fades.
Drinkability
Baby Blue is a fun whiskey that stands out from the crowd due to unique aspects. Recommended over some ice or with a little water, it would fit in with a summer afternoon on a boat in a lake with some friends. Not sure if it quite fits as a daily drinker, nor is it so unique that it reaches centerpiece status. However, I’m certainly happy to have tried it.
Food Pairing
Not to resort to Texas stereotypes here, but this whiskey suits a spicy chicken and bean chili. The mild sweetness complements the savor of the chili. The whiskey’s flavor profile, while not overtly bold, is resilient enough to withstand the chili without being dominated.
Facial Hair Rating
At this point, I feel like throwing every Texas trope out there but horseshoe really does fit this whiskey. Done correctly, the horseshoe frankly works for some people. You don’t see it often, but sometimes the look evinces a distant yet immediate fondness. As pleasant as the horseshoe can be, I’m not necessarily calling for it to become the facial hair style du jour.
Overall
To conclude the Balcones Baby Blue Whisky review, I’m glad to have tried it. The nose and palate border on ‘A’ territory, but unfortunately the finish falls apart. Ice or water ameliorate the ethanol burn, but also effectively cancel the finish altogether. I understand the distillery’s thought process behind the aging and the desire to get their product to market, but I’d like to see this one aged a little longer to round it out. That being said, the strength of the nose and palate are undeniable and the finish avoids total disaster.
Final Grade: B
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Lucinda Jones
September 22, 2021 9:15 pmI love the “facial hair ratings”- clever. I’d be willing to give this a try, as I have had other varieties from Balcones before.