Review: Balcones Cataleja Texas Single Malt
Two months ago, Balcones Distilling unveiled a new, limited edition whisky in celebration of its 15 year anniversary: Cataleja Texas Single Malt.
Made with 100% Golden Promise Malted Barley, Cataleja was initially matured in Kentucky bourbon barrels for three years, then transferred into decommissioned Sherry Solera puncheons that previously held Moscatel, Amontillado Dulce, Oloroso, and Palo Cortado. After a little over a year of finishing, the whisky was transferred out into neutral barrels. Balcones then finished two additional rounds of refill single malts through the decommissioned Sherry casks, before all the casks were blended and bottled at 59% ABV.
Balcones Cataleja Texas Single Malt Specifications:
- Spirit: American Whisky.
- Classification: Single Malt.
- Region: Texas.
- Age: NAS (No Age Statement).
- ABV: 59% (118 Proof).
- Cask Type: Matured in Kentucky bourbon barrels and finished in decommissioned Sherry Solera puncheons that previously held Moscatel, Amontillado Dulce, Oloroso, and Palo Cortado.
- Other: Natural Color, NCF (Non-Chill Filtered).
- Price Paid: N/A (Sample from Balcones Distilling).
- MSRP: $125.00 for 750 mL.
Tasting Notes:
- Color: Burnished amber.
- Nose: Rich and luxurious. It leads with aromas of red grapes, raisins, dates, prunes, figs, cherries, apricot, and orange zest, followed by sweet pipe tobacco, dark roast coffee, cinnamon dusted cocoa, a hint of leather, and pleasant oak.
- Palate: Viscous mouthfeel. Again leads with grapes, raisins, dates, prunes, figs, cherries, apricot, and orange zest, which intermingle with dark roast coffee, dark chocolate, leather, spices – allspice, cinnamon, clove – and more oak. There’s a bit of sulfur (think burnt matches), but it compliments the other flavors rather than distracting from them.
- Finish: Medium-long, slightly drying finish. The red fruit and stone fruit fade out slowly and are replaced with grilled pineapple and lemon. The tobacco, chocolate, leather, spices, and sulfur linger on and are complimented by espresso, caramel, toffee, an herbal note, and a light touch of oak.
If I had to describe Balcones Cataleja in one word, it would be decadent. There are layers upon layers of flavor here, and you need to take your time with Cataleja if you want to experience everything the whisky has to offer. Sit down in a distraction free environment, pour yourself a dram, nurse the pour over the course of an hour, and watch as each sip reveals something new. This is a worthy 15th anniversary bottling and the best single malt I’ve tried from Balcones to date.
Rating: B+ (87-89%).