Introducing Balcones Distilling in Waco, TX!
Posted on January 6, 2021 in New Arrivals
In 2008, Balcones was nothing more than an idea driven by a passion to create something original and authentic, right in the Heart of Texas. It all started in an old welding shop under a bridge in Waco. For the next year, they 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. Proud of what they had accomplished on their own, they began distilling in 2009.
Generally, whiskies are aged for many years or even decades. However, the unique climate of Texas changes that paradigm completely. Everyone knows it’s hot in Texas, but that’s only half the story. Rapid temperature swings are a part of the region’s weather characteristic, and these quick shifts force barrels to “breathe” at a much faster rate than in traditional whisky-making regions. This not only causes oaky flavors to mingle with the liquid inside but also accelerates the complex processes that transform raw spirit into a fully-matured product. It’s one of several ways that Balcones embraces a unique terroir.
Fast forward to 2021, and Balcones' spirits have been recognized worldwide for their bold and intense flavors, winning over 60 awards from various publications and competitions - a testament to their devoted team that craft whiskies day in, day out.
