Corn, et cetera

"The folks at Balcones: welders become distillers, and introduce that practical, pragmatic approach to whiskey production with a flair for creativity and pushing the boundaries. In my opinion, True Blue is the best spirit currently produced in the state of Texas."




"Of the Texas whiskey products, it's my favorite."

"The Baby Blue is a milder expression of the True Blue, which itself is not quite a true cask strength. What makes the Blues very unique is that they are corn whiskies, which were always synonymous with cheap whisky. That does not apply to these spirits. The producers of these whiskies have achieved this in two ways: a fairly newer practice known as micro aging, in which the whisky is aged in smaller barrels , increasing the ratio of surface area of wood to whisky/spirit, which accelerates the maturation processes. The second - and probably most important thing about this spirit - is the corn they use to produce it. Most corn whiskeys are produced with industrial white corn, whereas Baby Blue uses 100% Hopi blue corn. True Blue as well.

"They're both essentially the same whisky; Baby Blue has more water added. The Baby Blue is like biting into a caramel popcorn ball. There's nothing like it out there."

"Brimstone. Being a Texas whisky, they've opted to use mesquite wood in the aging process, giving it a spicy, smoky, barbecue flavor. Tasting this whisky is like biting into barbecue."

"It's Crown. It's blended whiskey."

"Death's Door White Whisky. Not as mellowed as barrel-aged whiskies. And not a true White Dog: they do rest it, like a reposado tequila, but not long enough to take on any color. What it lacks in depth and maturity, it makes up for in the fresh, fruity, and floral notes of a young whisky."

"Jack Daniels should not be ill-considered due to its popularity. It is made just like most of the best Kentucky bourbons, however, it goes through something called the Lincoln County Process, meaning the whiskey is filtered through maplewood charcoal. Some of the whiskey industry considers it cheating, but it's what they do in Tennessee."

Clyde May's (Alabama Whiskey)
From the Conecuh ridge area of South Alabama ('bout an hour or so from my home town).
Started as a unique style Moonshine which was aged with dried aplles in the barrel giving it a very distinct flavor.

Nose: Caramel, Butterscotch, Coconut, Green Apple, and...(Play-doh!).

Body: Full, Round with a flavor of dried fruit,sage and pepper.

Finish: Silky, Black Pepper, anise and a hint of red clay.

"I don't know."

"That was a cactus, I think, that did not stand up the harsh conditions of Contigo."

"I don't know, Robin. Aesthetics, I guess. I don't understand that concept very much, and I'm probably not the one to ask about decorations."