Waco, TX – Balcones Distilling continues to solidify its superiority as one of the world's best whisky brands. At the recent Whiskies of the World Awards, all of the whiskies that Balcones entered received a medal, dominating in four separate categories. The Waco-based brand brings home a total of six awards. '1' Texas Single Malt, Texas Blue Corn Bourbon, True Blue Cask Strength and Brimstone received the competition's highest accolades in their respective categories, being named 'Best in Class' Gold for the USA Malt, Bourbon (aged less than 5 years), Corn Whisky and Whisky categories, respectively.
Along with boasting four Gold Medals, Balcones' Baby Blue received a Silver Medal, while True Blue 100 brought home a Silver Outstanding Medal, both spirits winning in the Corn Whisky categories.
Originating in San Francisco, Whiskies of the World is now a series of five hugely popular whisky festivals that take place in California, Texas, and Georgia. The festival features whiskies from across the globe, as well as the outstanding personalities of the whisky world.
“Balcones is a strong contender every year in our competition as the brand always generates excitement with the judges,” said Event Director, Douglas Smith.
The Whiskies of the World Awards operates in conjunction with the national whisky event of the same name. Whiskies from around the world were judged based on a 100-point basis, focusing on appearance, aromatics, flavor, mouth feel, and finish. Fourteen of Texas' most influential buyers, bar owners, mixologists, and expert tasters performed the blind judging to decide on the winners. These awards come on the heels of Balcones being recognized as the Best Craft Whiskey Distillery by USA Today's 10Best earlier this month.
“It has been really fun to participate in the Whiskies of the World show and competition over the years as it has grown into a top notch event. To medal with all our submissions and take home a handful of Best in Class awards is extremely humbling and exciting for our team,” said Balcones Head Distiller Jared Himstedt.
The award-winning True Blue Cask Strength, True Blue 100 and Texas Blue Corn Bourbon will be released in Texas only this October. '1' Texas Single Malt and Baby Blue are available in Texas, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, California, Maryland, North Carolina, District of Columbia, Illinois, Kentucky, Massachusetts, and Louisiana. Of the winning whiskies, most will be available to taste at the Whiskies of the World whisky tasting show, hosted in Austin, Texas on Sept. 29 and Houston, Texas on Oct. 1. For information and tickets visit www.whiskiesoftheworld.com
Earlier this year, Balcones Distilling moved operations to a stunning new distillery site in downtown Waco, Texas. Formerly the old Texas Fireproof Storage Building, the new location provides Balcones with the capacity to meet growing demand, while maintaining the quality and authenticity that their loyal followers expect. The new site also provides Himstedt and his team the flexibility to create new styles of Texas whiskies and spirits. Brand-new copper pot stills from Forsyths of Scotland are a standout feature at the nearly 100-year-old structure of steel, concrete and brick. Additionally, Balcones has four times the spirit still capacity in the new location, with room to grow. The Waco distiller celebrated the end of commissioning of the building on April 20th in a special ribbon cutting ceremony and production has begun in the expanded facility.
