Quantum Posted October 30, 2013 Share Posted October 30, 2013 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.I have no problem with entering a product that isn't available to the public, and I would never assume they are bending the rules in any way. What I do have a problem with is the way the awards are being presented to the public. They need to be clear the awards are for what they are capable of, and not awards for their retail products. It is more of a whiskey making award. Its like an auto or bike builder entering a one-off product in a show. They are winning an award for what they are capable of, not what they sell to the public. I still find it informative, as some of the details might trickle down into production. Just be clear the awards are for a showcase of your abilities, not products available at retail. And to whoever questioned whether the whiskeys in question were "honey" barrels, that is just absurd. It is just as likely that Chip closed his eyes, and randomly selected the barrel from his inventory. To be fair, only having one barrel of each does limit the randomness, but lets not jump to conclusions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Balcones Winston Posted October 30, 2013 Share Posted October 30, 2013 Indeed the awards are a testament to our capabilities. The only reason these aren't regular expressions is because we don't have the capacity to take away from our core portfolio at this time. Now, think about all the cool stuff we're gonna do when we have the new distillery... To the analogy that someone made earlier likening us to making a movie and not releasing it... I'd say these experimental whiskies are more of a teaser-trailer for what we will do The full show has yet to be made! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Balcones Winston Posted November 2, 2013 Share Posted November 2, 2013 If I may say so myself... this is sexy as hell Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChainWhip Posted November 2, 2013 Share Posted November 2, 2013 That's a beautiful sight... Hope to visit the new digs one of these days. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Balcones Winston Posted November 2, 2013 Share Posted November 2, 2013 We would be pleased to have you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChainWhip Posted November 2, 2013 Share Posted November 2, 2013 So... I just got my Balcones Texas Single Malt sample in today (53%, Batch 8M12-10, 12/13/12) - this is much improved over my last try at this expression a year ago. It still tastes young-ish but is worth consideration IMHO. Just out of curiosity, where do you guys source the barley from? Do you malt it yourselves? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cowdery Posted November 5, 2013 Share Posted November 5, 2013 Extremely old school. Only other place in the U.S. that I've seen the brick surround is George Washington's Distillery at Mount Vernon. Are they going to be direct-fired? Using what? Firebox looks too small for wood.You guys are insane in the best possible way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Balcones Winston Posted November 5, 2013 Share Posted November 5, 2013 So... I just got my Balcones Texas Single Malt sample in today (53%, Batch 8M12-10, 12/13/12) - this is much improved over my last try at this expression a year ago. It still tastes young-ish but is worth consideration IMHO. Just out of curiosity, where do you guys source the barley from? Do you malt it yourselves?The malt is sourced from a farm in Scotland, we don't do the malting ourselves (no room) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Balcones Winston Posted November 5, 2013 Share Posted November 5, 2013 Extremely old school. Only other place in the U.S. that I've seen the brick surround is George Washington's Distillery at Mount Vernon. Are they going to be direct-fired? Using what? Firebox looks too small for wood.You guys are insane in the best possible way.Haha awesome! To answer your question we are using gas Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MyOldKyDram Posted November 5, 2013 Share Posted November 5, 2013 What about w the expansion? Room to do it at that time or still plan on sourcing the malt? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Balcones Winston Posted November 5, 2013 Share Posted November 5, 2013 What about w the expansion? Room to do it at that time or still plan on sourcing the malt?I've heard Chip say he's quite satisfied with our maltster. No plans to do our own malting, though we are exploring the idea of sourcing some Texas barley one day Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kaiserhog Posted November 5, 2013 Share Posted November 5, 2013 I've heard Chip say he's quite satisfied with our maltster. No plans to do our own malting, though we are exploring the idea of sourcing some Texas barley one dayBW can you buy Balcones in Arkansas? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Balcones Winston Posted November 6, 2013 Share Posted November 6, 2013 BW can you buy Balcones in Arkansas? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChainWhip Posted November 6, 2013 Share Posted November 6, 2013 The malt is sourced from a farm in Scotland, we don't do the malting ourselves (no room) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Balcones Winston Posted November 6, 2013 Share Posted November 6, 2013 It is Golden Promise Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
squire Posted November 6, 2013 Share Posted November 6, 2013 Ah, the good stuff, you guys are making an effort. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Balcones Winston Posted November 6, 2013 Share Posted November 6, 2013 Ah, the good stuff, you guys are making an effort. Since day one Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChainWhip Posted November 6, 2013 Share Posted November 6, 2013 Since day one Thanks Winston - I'm starting to come around on this Texas Single Malt I got in a sample trade... almost enough to wrangle a bottle in for the home bar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cowdery Posted November 6, 2013 Share Posted November 6, 2013 Direct fire with gas is plenty old school enough. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oke&coke Posted November 6, 2013 Share Posted November 6, 2013 Not to mention easier to control your heat I would think. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Balcones Winston Posted November 7, 2013 Share Posted November 7, 2013 Yeah. Wood fired is cool and all but it's totally impractical. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
squire Posted November 7, 2013 Share Posted November 7, 2013 So is hey lets hammer out a still and compete with the big guys but apparently that hurdle has been cleared. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oke&coke Posted November 7, 2013 Share Posted November 7, 2013 So is hey lets hammer out a still and compete with the big guys but apparently that hurdle has been cleared.:slappin:LMFAO here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Balcones Winston Posted November 7, 2013 Share Posted November 7, 2013 lol speaking of, I haven't seen what the distillery looks like now! I haven't been in Waco since Monday Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Balcones Winston Posted November 19, 2013 Share Posted November 19, 2013 (edited) So is hey lets hammer out a still and compete with the big guys but apparently that hurdle has been cleared. Haha. Well keep in mind funds were short when we first started out, we built the stills out of necessity more than anything else. We basically got our stills for 1/10th of what it would have cost us to have someone else build them... BTW here's an updated pic: Edited November 19, 2013 by Balcones Winston Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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