This is a 100% corn whiskey finished in tequila casks from Texas distillery Balcones. Aged five years and bottled at 100 proof, this release is Bottled in Bond. Tequila-finished whiskeys aren't super common, so this should be interesting.
Big Baby Bottled in Bond is a really fun look at what happens when the shackles of bourbon are dropped loose and corn and maturation casks control the flavor profile.
This is a spunky pour that’s surprisingly fun and easy to drink, despite such a modest touch of sweetness and bold pops of pepper and oak, with the coup de grace provided by an unexpectedly soft landing of cornflakes and roasted pecans that makes you go back for another ride on the roller coaster.
Yet, Big Baby makes its own statement, and it benefits a great deal from its 100% corn mash base. It’s sweet and light, and takes the tequila finishing well. Big Baby is not overly offensive as you’d assume it might be, and while drinking it you’ll find yourself taking pause and asking yourself if you like it, and then, how much you like it.
There the core current became caramel and agave syrup, the corn aspect turning to a fire-roasted ear of sweet corn, one that you just can’t get the bits of husk ash off of. The finish went down ashy, earthy and spicy.
This is a truly fun whisky. The Tequila notes mingle surprisingly well with the sugar of the corn whisky and are aged long enough to allow both to soften while retaining their unique profiles. Balcones tried something different and executed it very well.
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House Review
Nose:
Sweet butter cream, light honey, a touch of roasted agave, peanut brittle and apple, creamy nougat.
Taste:
Rich on the palate, full of char, slate, honey, apples, pears, light ash and that beautiful creamy nougat note once again.
Finish:
Short finish, peppery, notes of crushed stone, white grape. Light oak, char, honey, faint caramel.
Overall:
Big Baby Bottled in Bond is a really fun look at what happens when the shackles of bourbon are dropped loose and corn and maturation casks control the flavor profile. The result is exotic, satisfying and surprisingly easy-drinking — very satisfying.
Score:
85
By T8ke
Our in house critic rates spirits on a scale of 0-10 (10 best) and is aggregated the same as external sources
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