2021 24 Days of Whisk(e)y - Day 11

Saturday! Rainy windy day in Portland, good day to hunker down with a cask strength Whisk(e)y! Today, I'm having Balcones Peated Texas Single Malt Whisky, 2020 Edition, Aged 3 years, with a 62.9% ABV. While I've not loved every Balcones I've tried, they have been unique and interesting, and I really love the nose on the Balcones Brimstone - so when I saw this one I picked it up.

On the nose I am getting smoke, ash, burnt wood, and sweet BBQ. On the taste, I find smoke, wood, cherry (but not a sweet cherry), hot pepper spice - overall not too sweet. The finish it hot with spicy tingle, lingers - with char on the backend. 

Adding water, there is less smoke on the nose and there is more BBQ sweet - almost Teriyaki. The taste is not much different, but the finish is hotter, spicier, and has more heat. I could take this either way.

Overall, this is quite good, and I'll be looking for the 2021 edition. I'd say it's similar (but different) to higher proof Ardbegs or such, same wheelhouse anyway. I'd rate this 4.0 / 5.0 - would buy again, cheers!