Balcones True Blue 100, 2016, batch is illegible, 50% abv.

Balcones is a craft distillery out of Waco, Texas, USA and is famous for producing aged "malts" based on blue corn. The story behind Balcones is one of conflict. The short version says Balcones founder Chip Tate wanted to expand production to meet rising demand. Balcones found an investor, but there were conditions, a key one being Chip would become a minority shareholder (this is and was common practice). Arguments ensued where management said Mr. Tate misled investors and showed signs of misbehavior, all of which Mr. Tate denied. Legal proceedings resulted in Mr. Tate being bought out and signing a non-compete agreement. Now Chip has started making brandy... this is the lowered abv version of their true blue lineup.

Nose: major vanilla, sweet caramel, coconut shell and rinds, light honey, reminds me of apple pie a la mode with vanilla ice cream.

Palate: texture is weird, mouthfeel is thick, massive (the geologists definition of rock), initial and mid palate is like cloth and grass, mid palate has some dull wood, light spices, the aftermath on chewing on peppercorn without the spice aspect, back palate is where the spices come out.

Finish: medium to long, dull spices, star anise without that pungent sense killer, wood, a tarry like flavor and feel.

What a weird corn bourbon! The nose was good with that strong vanilla (akin to old hanyu and ichiro's choice), but it gets weird and downhill from there. It's not smooth, but considering what it is maybe it is smooth, it has several weird flavors related to black pepper and clothes. Mouthfeel was weird throughout, but generally "thick". I am so confused. So were some other reviewers.

Grade: C

Thewhiskeywash, Margarett Waterbury , 88/100
Whiskynotes, Ruben Luyten, 82/100 (2012 bottling)