Balcones Cataleja 15th Anniversary Texas Single Malt Whisky Review

[@prestonw3878]

I love the Mirador. Will try to find this!

[@WhiskeyCrusaders]

Agree both are great. Hope you find one and let us know what you think of it. Cheers

[@TheReal_DeanD]

My local Total Wine has it for the $130. I may get it now. Thanks for the super honest and thorough review.

[@WhiskeyCrusaders]

It would be worth picking up for sure as it's certainly one of the best they have ever made. Cheers

[@mrgreatshot7278]

I’m glad I grabbed one of those bottles before this review came out! It’s definitely a great whiskey!

[@WhiskeyCrusaders]

Oh yeah it's amazing stuff. One of the best they have ever made. Cheers

[@steveno7058]

Definitely has a slight sulfur note but I like it. Glorious Sherry casks were used here. Reminds me of the Longrow Sherry 14 from about 5 years ago

[@WhiskeyCrusaders]

Oh yeah. I love it and agree it does. Cheers

[@IlludiumQ36]

Phenomenal bottle! This is Balcones' "oldest" tasting single malt ever. Those are some magical casks and this was blended and crafted by artisans at the peak of their prowess.

[@WhiskeyCrusaders]

Totally agree. It is amazing. Cheers

[@christinedaisy594]

Great review Crusaders. Sounds like a bottle I need to find.🙂🥃

[@WhiskeyCrusaders]

Yes it is wonderful and I hope you find one. Cheers

[@jasoncoates1835]

I've been waffling on picking one of these up. Are you saying I shouldn't waffle? 😅

[@WhiskeyCrusaders]

Yes I would not waffle. It's expensive but truly one of the best they have ever made. Cheers

[@geoffreyking9706]

I get that same rotten egg taste. I’m really trying to like this, as I’m fond of other special release Balcones, but I cannot get over the rotten egg note.

[@WhiskeyCrusaders]

Totally understand but I love that note. Cheers

[@C_H_1972]

Yuck 😂

[@ChristmasOnCrestline]

You had me at Balcones.

[@WhiskeyCrusaders]

Oh yes it is wonderful. Cheers

[@pepebruno1672]

Maybe it is just the neck pour as I just opened a bottle. To me it was simply rough, unbalanced, and mouth numbing spicy. Truly a great nose, okay taste - hard to get pass the unbalanced and unincorporated distillate, not a great finish. I love sulphury dirty whiskeys, but I was very disappointed. Immediately I opened up a Balcones “1” to compare. The “1” was a whole lot more balanced. I’ll give it a few months, not sure this is even worth $40.

[@WhiskeyCrusaders]

I do wonder if it was the neck pour and just needs Oxygen. Give it a few weeks and it should hopefully open up. Cheers

[@steveno7058]

Sounds great. But some Diageo fingerprints on this bottle: no age statement and huge price

[@WhiskeyCrusaders]

That could be a valid point and possibly why the bottle change design, but the good news is the whisky is excellent. Cheers

[@IlludiumQ36]

This whisky was laid down and the barrels acquired, filled, and aged long before Diageo wrapped their tentacles around the distillery. The bottle design is actually a positive IMO and allows more product on the shelves. There are still a few years worth of pre-Diageo casks maturing for release before you really start seeing their influence.

[@steveno7058]

@@IlludiumQ36 I’m more talking about the big price increase and lack of an age statement. In past years the special releases went for $80-$100

[@WhiskeyCrusaders]

@@IlludiumQ36 that is a very good point. Cheers

[@childofthefence2887]

​@@steveno7058past releases also were not using multiple 100yo sherry barrels as far as I know.