Balcones: Next stop, world domination?

[bearmark]

Winston is enduring thus quite well, but I don't see the purpose of the abuse. He said that they've won all of these awards… they have. Its easy to see which winners are available… they have a nice website that presents this quite clearly. Now, he's detailed they're plans for releasing the rest.

What's wrong with tooting your horn about what others have awarded. While it might not indicate that their offerings are better than all others, it does demonstrate that someone thought that they were better than a lot if others. The fact that they so consistently high rated at so many competitions might be a good indication that they're onto something. It might even indicate that they make some good (perhaps exceptional) products. The real proof is whether you are willing to take a chance on their products and whether you like it and can recommend it to others (i.e. offer your own informal award).

I've been interested in Balcones ever since my first taste of True Blue. I became a fan after my first taste of Texas Single Malt. I've been following their releases ever since a tasting event where I sampled their entire line. At first, I wasn't too find of Rumble, but a taste of Rumble Cask Reserve really opened my eyes.

My suggestion is to pick up a bottle and I would begin with Baby Blue. My next step would be "1" (Texas Single Malt). If you're not impressed yet, then their stuff may not be for you. If you're not hooked yet, then move on to Brimstone if you're a fan of smoke; otherwise, move on to True Blue or Rumble.

Even better, attend a tasting if Chip comes to your area. Listen to his explanation of how he crafted each whiskey and why. Learn about their future plans and sample some if their upcoming or rare whiskeys (or rum). You'll come away with an appreciation for the craft that they represent, the part that Texas is playing in this craft and the potential possibility that you've just met a great distiller from the new generation of names that will be like those that are passing on from the previous generation.

Personally, I'm sold in their products. I'm still not a big fan of Rumble and I may not be impressed with some of their future offerings, but I am impressed with their vision, their product line and all that they've accomplished (not awards, but he success that I've experienced with their whiskeys). The fact that they've done so well with a single barrel of bourbon (a first try, if you will) is astounding. Just think of what Chip might accomplish with more practice!

Awards and ratings are helpful to me in choosing what I'm going to explore next. By the way, I include the re commendations that I glean from SB. I have a limited budget and I try to make every dollar count, so these recommendations are an important help in narrowing the field and finding some "sleepers" and rare gems. I heartily welcome these new awards from NYC… not because it tells me what's best, but because it helps me to identify some promising candidates for my cellar.

This NYC competition is new for me, but I've had some success with recommendations from others that have guided me well. I'll keep an eye on this competition in the future and see how it goes. I think others would be served well to consider these awards in a similar fashion.

Winston, you're an effective evangelist for a great line if whiskeys. I'm expecting much more and I'm sure that others will be similarly impressed at some point. Keep it up!

[timd]

Winston is enduring thus quite well, but I don't see the purpose of the abuse. He said that they've won all of these awards… they have. Its easy to see which winners are available… they have a nice website that presents this quite clearly. Now, he's detailed they're plans for releasing the rest.

What's wrong with tooting your horn about what others have awarded. While it might not indicate that their offerings are better than all others, it does demonstrate that someone thought that they were better than a lot if others. The fact that they so consistently high rated at so many competitions might be a good indication that they're onto something. It might even indicate that they make some good (perhaps exceptional) products. The real proof is whether you are willing to take a chance on their products and whether you like it and can recommend it to others (i.e. offer your own informal award).

I've been interested in Balcones ever since my first taste of True Blue. I became a fan after my first taste of Texas Single Malt. I've been following their releases ever since a tasting event where I sampled their entire line. At first, I wasn't too find of Rumble, but a taste of Rumble Cask Reserve really opened my eyes.

My suggestion is to pick up a bottle and I would begin with Baby Blue. My next step would be "1" (Texas Single Malt). If you're not impressed yet, then their stuff may not be for you. If you're not hooked yet, then move on to Brimstone if you're a fan of smoke; otherwise, move on to True Blue or Rumble.

Even better, attend a tasting if Chip comes to your area. Listen to his explanation of how he crafted each whiskey and why. Learn about their future plans and sample some if their upcoming or rare whiskeys (or rum). You'll come away with an appreciation for the craft that they represent, the part that Texas is playing in this craft and the potential possibility that you've just met a great distiller from the new generation of names that will be like those that are passing on from the previous generation.

Personally, I'm sold in their products. I'm still not a big fan of Rumble and I may not be impressed with some of their future offerings, but I am impressed with their vision, their product line and all that they've accomplished (not awards, but he success that I've experienced with their whiskeys). The fact that they've done so well with a single barrel of bourbon (a first try, if you will) is astounding. Just think of what Chip might accomplish with more practice!

Awards and ratings are helpful to me in choosing what I'm going to explore next. By the way, I include the re commendations that I glean from SB. I have a limited budget and I try to make every dollar count, so these recommendations are an important help in narrowing the field and finding some "sleepers" and rare gems. I heartily welcome these new awards from NYC… not because it tells me what's best, but because it helps me to identify some promising candidates for my cellar.

This NYC competition is new for me, but I've had some success with recommendations from others that have guided me well. I'll keep an eye on this competition in the future and see how it goes. I think others would be served well to consider these awards in a similar fashion.

Winston, you're an effective evangelist for a great line if whiskeys. I'm expecting much more and I'm sure that others will be similarly impressed at some point. Keep it up!

99% agree with everything you say, however, I'd suggest that more seasoned Whiskey drinkers start with True Blue 100 or True Blue vs. Baby Blue, but that's me...

Balcones is one of the few "micros" actually releasing compelling and quality products. In fact, more than a few offerings have been first rate spirits, IMHO. Yes, I'm a Balcones fan boy and count Winston and Chip as my friends - but I was friends with Winston before Balcones and had mad admiration for Chip's products from the first time I met him and sampled them. I have a few limited bottlings that I literally covet they so damn good.

[Balcones Winston]

These criticisms, if that's what they are, should be directed at the award promoters, not at Balcones. I have no doubt that in every case they have followed the competition's rules in terms of what they've submitted. You'll notice that I rarely mention awards in my writings, except to say how little I think of them. At the same time, I have had the experience of criticizing awards until I win one, then I think they're great. It's a natural and largely attractive human instinct to pat each other on the back, so let's lighten up a bit.

I'm also not sure why it's automatically suspect or a negative if people are getting awards for products that are not, or not yet, available at retail. Again, if you think there should be a competition that only judges stuff that's on the retail shelves, start one. You don't get to tell other people how to run their contests.

Well said Chuck! And yes, we follow the competition rules to the letter. It is not illegal as Wade suggested on Twitter to the Texas ABC. Some competitions require COLA labels to be approved, such as the ADI awards, but not all do. Regardless, we have every intention to release these experimental barrels into the public eventually, when we deem them to be ready. There won't be a lot to go around, but it would be a shame if we drank them all ourselves as we had originally planned

I must reiterate quickly that we do not send honey barrels to competitions for our core offerings. The competitions receive the exact same batches that make it to retail. If we send a special barrel, such as the 1200 Brimstone, it is denoted as such, and typically the standard offering is submitted as well.

[wadewood]

Well said Chuck! And yes, we follow the competition rules to the letter. It is not illegal as Wade suggested on Twitter to the Texas ABC. Some competitions require COLA labels to be approved, such as the ADI awards, but not all do. Regardless, we have every intention to release these experimental barrels into the public eventually, when we deem them to be ready. There won't be a lot to go around, but it would be a shame if we drank them all ourselves as we had originally planned

I must reiterate quickly that we do not send honey barrels to competitions for our core offerings. The competitions receive the exact same batches that make it to retail. If we send a special barrel, such as the 1200 Brimstone, it is denoted as such, and typically the standard offering is submitted as well.

I will direct my criticisms at both the dubious award competitions and those who enter said award shows. It takes 2 to tango. If the award show has such a low bar for entrants such as the NY WWSC; any "commercial spirit" (and of course your pay to play check of $400 for each spirit) I'm going to point that out. I asked the question to TABC, not made a suggestion - but I'm so glad Winston took the time to answer for them.

5 of 7 entrants were not your core products. So 71% of your entrees into this competition were possible 'honey barrels' entries.

[timd]

5 of 7 entrants were not your core products. So 71% of your entrees into this competition were possible 'honey barrels' entries.

While I really don't see why anybody here cares - unless you are a champion for stupid people who buy things based on awards ONLY (then God bless, you but your work will never be done, and I think many of those people have far greater issues than being "suckered" by a gold medal at a spirit competition).

It's also important to note that there's a big difference between a "honey barrel" of a a core offering (which would be cheating...) versus calling a product something completely different and openly acknowledging it's a one-off experimental cask.

71% is an inaccurate number anyhow, because all but 1 product has a COLA label approval and all are - or will be - for sale. Does the fact the movies open to critics or have red carpet openings before the general public can see them piss you off? How about critics who can get screener copies of TV shows before they are out, or book manuscripts. How is it wrong to debut something for taste makers and influencers ahead of a general release? Get over this angle... it's moot.

If you don't like awards like this, that's your right - I kinda think they are stupid and don't really put much (if any) stock in them short of best in show type awards, which means something, to me. But the fact is this is a standard marketing practice in this and many industries. And it's the 2% geeks like us that get our panties in a bunch about it. I don't like them - but I've got bigger windmills to tilt at like Pappy-gate 2013.

[squire]

Gentlemen, please, let's not single out stupid people, that's profiling.

[wadewood]

While I really don't see why anybody here cares - unless you are a champion for stupid people who buy things based on awards ONLY (then God bless, you but your work will never be done, and I think many of those people have far greater issues than being "suckered" by a gold medal at a spirit competition).

I don't think everyone at this site knows how the competitions are really run, so I tell them the facts. I'll also tell more people elsewhere as well.

It's also important to note that there's a big difference between a "honey barrel" of a a core offering (which would be cheating...) versus calling a product something completely different and openly acknowledging it's a one-off experimental cask.

When I see the Balcones press releases about these awards they don't openly acknowledge that 5 of the 7 winners are not currently available nor that the Best in Show winner only 18 bottles were sold to public in Texas.

71% is an inaccurate number anyhow, because all but 1 product has a COLA label approval and all are - or will be - for sale. Does the fact the movies open to critics or have red carpet openings before the general public can see them

.

What I said in last post was that 5 of 7 were not core products. 5/7 = 71.4% - my math is accurate. The fact is things often change from the time they show to 1st previewers until they make their real debut. I have friend that is well known cigar reviewer blogger. She once gave a pre production sample a glowing review. When the actual product was released the cigar construction was totally different and not as good.

As far as COLA labels, I still don't see COLA for the 2 rums that were entered into this competition as described, which would make 3 products. I've pointed this out and so has another and I'm still waiting on response. At this point, basically moot because this competition allows that.

If you don't like awards like this, that's your right

Yes it is and posting here complaining about them is my right as well. I'm allowed to be critical, I'm doing so openly and it's not personal nor I'm I angry.

[timd]

Yes it is and posting here complaining about them is my right as well. I'm allowed to be critical, I'm doing so openly and it's not personal nor I'm I angry.

I'd be disappointed if you didn't complain. And, I expect you to be critical - you are an equal opportunity critic for the most part and I appreciate you saying it's not personal - it's not for me either, but I'm pretty much always angry in general, so I can't say that part. :hot:

These award things serve a purpose, and while many of them have a certain "douchery" to them, in terms of winning ("everybody gets a trophy/medal"), some are good. Some are great (Malt Maniacs Awards for example - multiple qualified judges, all blind, no pay for play).

I still disagree that winning best in show at most any of these - as long as you can't buy the win - is an achievement, and whether there was 18 or 18,000 bottles produced isn't the point - it's about the spirit being judged. Yeah, I get that it's annoying to have something win that most mere mortals can't ever get (FWIW: I wasn't able to get a bottle of Bourbon myself, and these guys are my friends!) - but their win in this situation, is the inspiration for Balcones to make more. They never started out to make a "bourbon" per se - but with this kind of success, you can be assured they'll want to replicate it and make money off of it.

But... when they release it, and it's a different batch from a different barrel, etc. - if they still hang to the award for this particular spirit, then yes, that's a bit disingenuous, but from a marketing standpoint you have to admit it would be really hard to NOT take advantage of it, right? It's not "right" - but it's not a crime, it's just shallow. And that's something if you called them out on it, I think the vast majority of people would be on your side.

I think that being excited about a win at a fairly good quality competition is more than reasonable, and I don't blame any producer for puffing up a bit, especially if all their stuff did well. That said, keeping what the wins means in perspective is probably more important than the win.

#### all done.

Edited October 28, 2013 by timd

[Balcones Winston]

Yeah... we might have another barrel of bourbon about the come to age... maybe...

[wadewood]

Yeah... we might have another barrel of bourbon about the come to age... maybe...

[birdman1099]

Yeah... we might have another barrel of bourbon about the come to age... maybe...

thats fantastic.... Im sure it will be delicious.

Im sure those 15 people who actually get a bottle will be ecstatic. :grin:

[Balcones Winston]

thats fantastic.... Im sure it will be delicious.

Im sure those 15 people who actually get a bottle will be ecstatic. :grin:

Hm can't really say much more than it will be more than that this time

[wadewood]

Was the 5th Anniversary Straight Bourbon a different mashbill than your Baby Blue/True Blue?

I found your previous reply

I guess I can spill the beans here. We have a bourbon coming out for our fifth anniversary series.

It's a single barrel, cask strength (~64%), 100% blue corn Texas straight bourbon. The distillate was filled into a new charred 60-gallon cask over 2 years ago.

....

This is largely just a one-off release and will be limited to about 150 bottles world wide, as we only made 1 barrel, same as the other 5A releases.

In the long run, we may make bourbon more regularly, but that's likely not until after we build our new distillery up the street.

So now you saying you will have much more straight bourbon available possible soon? For a straight bourbon, it takes at min. 2 years to age, yet you posted this in Feb this year that you only made 1 barrel.

[MacinJosh]

I have looked for Balcones solely because of what I have read of this board and because Winston is pretty up front about what they are trying to do. I am not sure that I have ever seen it on the shelves in Indiana. I keep looking. I would really love to find the bourbon.

[Balcones Winston]

You won't find it in Indiana but I'm trying to get that fixed. I've put Denis of Vine and Table in touch with Chip but I think it's just a capacity issue. I have higher hopes for Indiana distribution once the new distillery is built.

[birdman1099]

Hm can't really say much more than it will be more than that this time

well then, I call that a step in the right direction.....

[Balcones Winston]

We're working on it

You guys want to see some pics of the construction this week?

[TunnelTiger]

Well I for one do. :cool:

[Balcones Winston]

Good enough for me!

Masonry being removed from the old stills

Stills getting pulled out

One of the new stills we built from scratch

Chip welds a stainless steel flange while workers install masonry for the new stills

I'll have some more later today

[squire]

I really like that new still Winston, artistic and purpose built, very nice.

[WAINWRIGHT]

Really a hand hammered pot still is a true artisan sculpture and a thing of beauty.

[Yeti]

I'm in agreement with both of the fine gentlemen posting before me. That is a beautiful still, and I'm thrilled to taste the fruits of this labor some day.

[Balcones Winston]

Had to share your comments with Chip and he says:

"Thanks guys. It should make a rich and elegant spirit--same as the others only a bit easier to control."

[squire]

Sounds like the fellow who just got married . . . again.

[wadewood]

that's some pretty copper. Since Chip has figured out how to make good american whiskey out of 100% copper pot stills, perhaps he should pay Woodford Reserve and Chris Morrison a visit and show them how its done.