Balcones Distillery has unveiled two new American single malt whiskeys, Dawn and Dusk, both of which have been finished in ex-Madeira casks. Both of the offerings are limited editions from the Waco, Texas-based brand.
Both Balcones Dawn and Dusk were finished in 16 Texas Madeira barrels from Haak Winery in Santa Fe, Texas. The Texas winery uses the traditional heated storage technique (estufagem) to make a handcrafted estate Madeira on the gulf in Texas.
Balcones Dawn is bottled at 116 proof and has been aged for 48 months. It is finished exclusively in second-use refill Haak Madeira casks. On the nose, it is spritely with notes of crunchy pear and kiwi followed by graceful notes of chamomile and lemon curd. The palate is effervescent with notes of under-ripe strawberry, parfait, and lime leaves that transition into sweet bready notes of sage shortbread. The finish is subtle and yeasty.
Balcones Dusk comes in at 111 proof and has been aged for 48 months. It is finished exclusively in freshly dumped first-fill Haak Madeira casks. On the nose, the whiskey offers soft notes of fig chutney and dried hyssop that transition into a long warm note of seasoned wood from an old steel-string guitar. The palate is decadent with old-fashioned horehound candy and the texture of velvet mullein leaves, before filling out with cardamom mochi, toasted walnuts, and cranberry relish. The finish is described as long and sweet.
For more information, head over to Balcones’ official website.
In March, Lost Lantern announced its Spring 2021 release of limited edition single cask whiskeys. The new collection follows the American independent bottler’s first single cask release, which was unveiled in winter 2020. Included in the collection is a Balcones Texas Straight Bourbon Whiskey, along with Southwest single malt from Whiskey Del Bac, and cool climate/Northeastern rye from New York Distilling Co.
