Barrel and Bottle founder Dave Sweet and his partners came up with an unusual concept for their debut release in 2019, persuading Balcones Distilling to let them “deconstruct” the three types of casks used in the Balcones Texas Single Malt and bottle the American Oak, Hungarian Oak, and French Oak-matured whiskies separately. “Deconstructions” are popular master classes at whisky festivals, but this is one of the rare occasions when an independent bottler has been allowed to deconstruct a distillery’s flagship whisky with the distillery’s cooperation.

The American Oak comes from a 5th fill barrel, and as with the other two barrels, was matured for slightly less than three years. The nose has notes of candied fruit slices, caramel, honey, and vanilla.  The taste has oak tannins, black pepper, honey, and hints of dried fruits and caramel. The finish is woody with a good caramel candy sweetness. (January, 2020)