Episode 37: Balcones Rumble Cask Reserve Single Barrel (Hazmat)

The Pot Still Column: Episode 37

Balcones Rumble Cask Reserve - "BevMo!" Single Barrel Select

Barrel: #14116

Proof: 141.2

Finish: New French Oak

Age: 66 Months (5.5 Years)

Source: Balcones Distilling (Waco, Texas)

Price: $56.00

Today we depart from whiskey again for the first time since Episode 24, although not quite as dramatically as last time. While our last departure was a full-blooded rum, today's spirit resides in a category of it's own, and I am naming it "Brumsky."

What is that I hear? Did you say that "Rumble" is already an obvious attempt to combine spirit categories into a catchy name? Of this I am painfully aware, my friend, but I am coining a name of my own because of my unquenchable, pathetic desire to be special and unique.

Moving on... More of a brandy/rum/mead hybrid than anything else, Balcones' Rumble is a spirit distilled from Texas wildflower honey, turbinado sugar, and mission figs. While Balcones is primarily a whiskey producing distillery, there is a notable lack of grain in the mash bill, making this spirit very much not a whiskey. If the distillation of each ingredient were completed separately and later combined in a barrel, this would indeed be a blend of fig brandy, high proof mead, and shitty American rum. I admittedly have no idea how Rumble is made, and I am tired this morning, so I will not be looking it up. Figure it out yourself. For now, it will remain a brumsky.

In true Balcones fashion, this brumsky is bottled at a hazmat proof of 141.2 (70.6% ABV), and is dark enough that light can't penetrate the distillate even when held up to a window. However, the aggressive flavors packed into this distilled collection of cheese board sides certainly penetrate the palate and soul, leaving me feeling ravaged and bare. The pot-distilled spirit is finished in a new French oak barrel, a luxury normally reserved for Balcones' most premium single malts. French oak is special because it is from France. Wrapped in a handsome, purple label and garnished with a single barrel store pick sticker, the humble presentation is elegant but simple.

Upon initial sniffage, big notes of warm, dark berries drift from the glass, reminding me specifically of the round, chocolate covered acai or blueberry snacks that I sometimes see at fancier grocery stores. There is a slightly tart note that lives in the back of the nose, bringing to mind under-ripe blackberries. That tartness makes my mouth water, much like an overly sour granny smith apple would. I might be picking up some green apple jolly rancher in there as well-- the specifics can be left to interpretation, but there is definitely a candy note present. On top of that, I am surprised to find some rum-adjacent notes that resemble a few of Worthy Park's lower ester offerings. American rums tend to be overly sweet and oaky, or just not very good, so this is a pleasant surprise.

Upon the initial sip, my palate is on fire. AHHHHHHHHH.

After a successful revival by the local fire department, I return for a second sip. Not so bad this time. There can be no mistaking it-- this is is one hot spirit, but it isn't overly fumy. The heat is pure flavor, not ethanol vapor, a trait that I have come to love and expect from Balcones. Caramel and fruity faux-caramel are present as well, much like the red exterior of a caramel apple at a carnival. A medicinal cherry lingers on the finish, and it is admittedly not my favorite, but the finish as a whole is magnificent.

There is SO much flavor present here, and it's hard not to like what I'm experiencing. The proof combined with the quality of the spirit makes for a complete sensory overload, triggering every taste bud. This brumsky is biting me harder than I'm biting it, and I like it*moans*. At the end of the day, this single cask reserve (creative marketing language) of Rumble is a lot to process, and most certainly not a casual sipper, but it's a very pleasant experience all around. Highly recommended.

Closing Impression:

At some point I will hopefully be able to stop disclaiming that Balcones is not for everyone, but today is not that day. The people need to hear it so they don't hurt their delicate palates. This brumsky is best served to those with a curiosity for new things and a tolerance for big, bold flavors. I can think of a dozen seasoned whiskey drinkers who would probably not enjoy this creative concoction, and that is okay. I can also think of a dozen people with openminded palates who would be much better equipped to appreciate Rumble for what it is: a wonderfully inventive, flavorful, and exciting bouquet of hot, dark, and fruity flavors. As is the case with many Balcones products, the price is right for this hazmat single barrel product, and I cannot recommend it more fervently from the bang-for-buck perspective. Knowing that the ingredients that go into Balcones' products are high quality and often locally sourced, it is a miracle that they have managed to keep their prices so far below their competitors'. This may not be a full bottle buy for everyone, especially because it is such a niche and dominant flavor profile, so I would recommend splitting a bottle with a few friends. You won't want to miss out on trying this at least once, but having 200ml of this hazmat brumsky stored away for a special occasion sounds like plenty to me. While I have tried too many to count, I am fairly certain that this is one of my favorite Balcones products to date, and I will be keeping an eye out for more barrel picks in the future.

Nose: 94/100

Taste: 90/100

Finish: 85/100

Overall: 90/100 [Extraordinary]

**Disclaimer: Hazmat Rumble is not for those of loose morals. Unworthy drinkers will burn.