Balcones Cataleja is a Texas single malt whisky made with 100% Golden Promise malted barley, matured first in Kentucky bourbon barrels and then, after three years, transferred into decommissioned sherry solera puncheons hand-selected from Spanish bodegas. It is bottled at 118 proof.
Balcones, in Waco, is one of the pioneers of Texas whisky, and the state's intense heat drives the spirit deep into the wood. Cataleja was released for the distillery's fifteenth anniversary, and its label celebrates the pioneering spirit behind Texas-made whisky.
The palate brings Medjool dates stuffed with cashew butter, cacao nib and ground clove, transitioning to vibrant eucalyptus oil and burnt lemon peel, with a pineapple and cinnamon skewer finish.
It is a superb gift for adventurous whisky lovers.
Enjoy it neat or on the rocks.
American whiskey covers a wide range of styles, from bourbon and rye to single malts and light whiskeys, and independent blenders and small producers have made it one of the most exciting categories in spirits.
Golden Promise is a classic Scottish barley variety, prized by distillers for the rich, oily texture it gives new make spirit. Moving the whisky from bourbon barrels into sherry solera puncheons layers dried fruit, nuttiness and spice over the vanilla of American oak, and the Texas climate, with its extreme summer heat, speeds the exchange between whisky and wood.
At 118 proof, Cataleja rewards a few drops of water, which open up the fruit and spice.
Tasting Notes
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Nose: Dates, cacao nib and clove.
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Palate: Cashew butter, eucalyptus oil and burnt lemon peel.
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Finish: Pineapple and cinnamon.
Specifications
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Producer: Balcones Distilling
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Style: Texas Single Malt Whisky
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Expression / Batch: Cataleja
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Proof / ABV: 118 proof (59% ABV)
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Cask / Finish: Kentucky bourbon barrels, then sherry solera puncheons
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Region: Waco, Texas
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Size: 750ml
How to Enjoy It
Serve it neat or on the rocks. It pairs with dates, dark chocolate or grilled pineapple.
Frequently Asked Questions
What barley is used?
100% Golden Promise malted barley.
How is it matured?
Three years in bourbon barrels, then in sherry solera puncheons.
What proof is it?
It is bottled at 118 proof.
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