Balcones Texas Pot Still Bourbon 750ML

Balcones Texas Pot Still Bourbon 750ML is a 92-proof (46% ABV) bourbon whiskey from Waco, Texas, distilled entirely in copper pot stills using a distinctive roasted blue corn mashbill. Balcones Distilling earned both Innovator of the Year and Master Distiller of the Year at the 2019 Icons of Whisky America Awards, and this expression channels that same boundary-pushing approach into a bourbon that deliberately breaks from column-still convention.

Quick Facts: ABV: 46% (92 Proof)  |  Origin: Waco, Texas, USA  |  Aged Minimum 24 Months  |  Distillery: Balcones Distilling

Production & Heritage

Balcones Distilling was founded in 2008 in Waco, Texas, and quickly established itself as one of the most acclaimed craft distilleries in America. The distillery runs Forsyth copper pot stills — reportedly the tallest pot stills in the world — a deliberate choice that yields a heavier, more concentrated distillate than the column stills used by most bourbon producers. The Texas Pot Still Bourbon's mashbill of roasted blue corn, Texas-grown wheat, Texas rye, and malted barley is matured for at least two years in new charred American oak barrels. The roasted blue corn, a Balcones signature ingredient, imparts a depth and sweetness uncommon in standard bourbon grain bills, while the intense Texas heat accelerates interaction between spirit and wood.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Raisin and toasted oak lead the nose, layered with Honeycrisp apple, kettle corn, and graham cracker. Underneath, faint cinnamon and baking spices add warmth alongside a distinct charred wood note.

Taste: The entry is bright and fruit-forward — caramel apple with a crisp sweetness that transitions into candied pecans, honey, and sweet cream at mid-palate. As the bourbon develops, classic flavors of caramel, vanilla, and toasted oak emerge, with baking spices and rye grain lending a pleasant warming heat. A subtle bitterness reminiscent of coffee and leather adds complexity toward the back palate.

Finish: Soft and sweet initially, tapering into a tannic fade with lingering black pepper spice. The finish is moderate in length, with that roasted corn character providing a final savory anchor.

How to Drink Pot Still Bourbon

At 46% ABV, this bourbon has enough structure to drink neat, where the roasted blue corn character and pot still richness are most evident. A few drops of water open up the fruit and cream notes without diluting texture. For cocktails, try it in an Old Fashioned, where its caramel-apple sweetness pairs naturally with bitters and orange peel. It also excels in a Bourbon Smash, with the graham cracker and pecan notes complementing fresh lemon and mint. A Paper Plane benefits from the bourbon's richer body, balancing the Aperol and Amaro Nonino with more weight than a typical column-still bourbon provides.

Best For

• Bourbon drinkers exploring craft and regional American whiskey beyond Kentucky
• Gifting someone who appreciates unusual mashbills and production techniques
• Building a tasting flight comparing pot still vs. column still bourbons
• Weekend cocktail sessions that call for a bourbon with above-average body and complexity

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Pot Still Bourbon taste like? Balcones Texas Pot Still Bourbon delivers caramel apple and candied pecan sweetness up front, followed by vanilla, toasted oak, and baking spice, with a soft finish marked by black pepper and tannin.

How does Pot Still Bourbon compare to Balcones Lineage? Balcones Lineage is designed as a more approachable, everyday sipper that finds a middle ground within the distillery's style. The Texas Pot Still Bourbon pushes further toward classic Balcones intensity, with a heavier body and more pronounced roasted blue corn influence.

Is Pot Still Bourbon good for sipping neat? Yes — bottled at 46% ABV, it has enough proof to carry its flavors without being overly hot, and the pot still distillation gives it a full, oily texture that rewards neat sipping.

Where is Pot Still Bourbon made? Balcones Texas Pot Still Bourbon is distilled and aged at the Balcones Distilling facility in Waco, Texas, using grain sourced from Texas farms and the distillery's Forsyth copper pot stills.

What foods pair well with Pot Still Bourbon? Smoked brisket or barbecue ribs match the bourbon's charred oak and spice. Pecan pie echoes its candied nut notes. Dark chocolate amplifies the coffee and leather undertones. Aged cheddar balances the sweetness with savory contrast. Cornbread with honey butter creates a natural bridge to the roasted blue corn in the mashbill.

What sizes does Pot Still Bourbon come in? Balcones Texas Pot Still Bourbon is available in the standard 750ml bottle size.

Is Pot Still Bourbon worth the price? This expression positions in the mid-premium tier for American craft bourbon, and the combination of pot still distillation, a four-grain mashbill featuring roasted blue corn, and a minimum two-year age statement represents genuine production investment that justifies its place above entry-level bourbons.

Why Pot Still Bourbon?

Most bourbon on the market comes off column stills — efficient but less textured. Balcones built its reputation on pot still distillation, and this bourbon is the direct expression of that philosophy applied to a true bourbon mashbill. The roasted blue corn, a grain virtually no other bourbon producer uses, creates a flavor fingerprint — richer, sweeter, and more layered — that cannot be replicated by swapping in standard yellow dent corn. Backed by over 350 international awards across the Balcones portfolio and recognition as both Innovator and Master Distiller of the Year in 2019, this is a Texas distillery operating at a level that commands serious attention from bourbon drinkers willing to look beyond the traditional whiskey trail.