Still Austin Bottled in Bond Blue Corn Bourbon 750ML

Still Austin Bottled in Bond Blue Corn Bourbon 750ML is a 100-proof (50% ABV) Texas straight bourbon featuring a remarkably rye-heavy, blue corn-forward mashbill in a 750ml bottle. What makes this release genuinely unusual is its 44% rye content — one of the highest rye percentages found in any product legally classified as bourbon — balanced by the natural sweetness of blue corn.

Quick Facts: ABV: 50% (100 proof)  |  Origin: Austin, Texas, USA  |  Bottled in Bond (minimum 4 years aged)  |  Distillery: Still Austin Whiskey Co.

Production & Heritage

Still Austin Whiskey Co. distills entirely in Austin, Texas, making it a grain-to-glass operation in the heart of the state's capital. The mashbill is striking: 26% blue corn, 25% white corn, 44% rye, and 5% malted barley. Blue corn was selected specifically because its inherent sweetness counterbalances the assertive spice of such a high rye proportion. As a Bottled in Bond expression, this bourbon meets the strict requirements of the Bottled-in-Bond Act of 1897 — distilled in a single season, by one distiller, at one distillery, aged a minimum of four years in a federally bonded warehouse, and bottled at exactly 100 proof.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with bright red berries and powdered sugar icing before moving into citrus notes of grapefruit peel and dried lemon. Deeper layers reveal cocoa, shortcake, and a quiet eucalyptus undertone woven beneath the cooked corn and rye grain character.

Taste: The entry is rich with strawberry jam and tres leches cake sweetness, quickly met by a mid-palate surge of rye spice, caramel candies, and clove. At its peak, flavors of Vietnamese coffee, flamed orange peel, French vanilla, shortbread butter cookie, light brown sugar, and juicy red apple compete for attention — a complex and layered bourbon that rewards slow sipping.

Finish: Medium to long, landing on cherry cobbler, matcha green tea, and caramelized sugar with a trailing hint of bubblegum sweetness. White pepper lingers alongside gentle oak tannins, keeping the rye spice present through the final moments.

How to Drink Blue Corn BiB

At 100 proof, this bourbon holds up well neat but benefits from a few drops of water to unlock the sweeter corn and pastry notes hiding beneath the rye. A single large ice cube also works, tempering the spice without drowning the complexity.

• Manhattan: The 44% rye backbone gives this bourbon the spice and structure typically reserved for straight rye whiskey, making a Manhattan with serious grip.
• Boulevardier: The berry-forward fruit notes and caramel sweetness pair naturally with Campari's bitterness and sweet vermouth's herbal depth.
• Old Fashioned: The inherent sweetness from the blue corn means you can dial back the sugar, letting the bourbon's own complexity do the heavy lifting.

Best For

• Bourbon drinkers who enjoy rye whiskey and want something that bridges both categories
• Gifting to a Texas whiskey enthusiast looking for a grain-to-glass Bottled in Bond expression
• Expanding a home bar collection with an unconventional high-rye bourbon mashbill
• Side-by-side tastings comparing traditional corn-heavy bourbons against rye-dominant expressions

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Blue Corn BiB taste like? It leads with red berry sweetness, caramel, and baking spice before a pronounced rye kick brings clove, white pepper, and citrus peel into the mix. The finish lingers with cherry cobbler, matcha, and caramelized sugar.

How does Blue Corn BiB compare to Still Austin High Rye Bourbon? Still Austin's standard High Rye Bourbon uses a 25% rye mashbill, while the Blue Corn Bottled in Bond nearly doubles that to 44% rye, creating a significantly spicier and more complex profile. The BiB expression also carries a minimum four-year age statement and higher proof at 100, versus the standard release.

Is Blue Corn BiB good for sipping neat? Yes — the 100-proof bottling strength delivers full flavor without being harsh, and a few drops of water open up additional pastry and fruit sweetness beneath the rye spice.

Where is Blue Corn BiB made? It is distilled, aged, and bottled at Still Austin Whiskey Co. in Austin, Texas, a grain-to-glass distillery that handles every step of production on-site.

What foods pair well with Blue Corn BiB? Smoked brisket complements the rye spice and caramel sweetness. Dark chocolate truffles echo the cocoa and cherry notes. Aged cheddar or Gruyère stands up to the 100-proof intensity. Pecan pie mirrors the brown sugar and vanilla character. Mole-sauced dishes resonate with the blue corn earthiness and baking spice profile.

What sizes does Blue Corn BiB come in? The standard release is available in the 750ml bottle size.

Is Blue Corn BiB worth the price? It positions as a premium craft bourbon, and the Bottled in Bond designation guarantees a minimum four-year age statement and 100-proof strength — both of which add verifiable value compared to younger or lower-proof Texas bourbons in the same price tier.

Why Blue Corn BiB?

The defining feature here is not branding or packaging — it is one of the most rye-heavy mashbills ever put into a bottle legally labeled as bourbon. At 44% rye, it functionally sits at the intersection of bourbon and rye whiskey, delivering the sweetness of the former with the spice-driven complexity of the latter. The blue corn component is not a gimmick; its natural sugar content was specifically chosen to make that extreme rye proportion work harmoniously. Backed by the transparency and legal accountability of the Bottled in Bond designation, this is a Texas bourbon that earns attention on its own terms.