Friend looking for "less aged, more raw, Texas Whiskey"

[masraum]

I've got a coworker that was told to look for a "less aged, more raw, Texas whiskey." He's not in Texas, and he knows that I am. He also knows that I'm not a big drinker, but thought that I might be able to ask around.

He said that he's 0 for 1. He tried Balcones Baby Blue and it wasn't anything to write home about.

Anyone got any thoughts or recommendations?

[GH85Carrera]

I bet he can find some moonshine from Texas in 2021. Can't get any more raw than that. They sell moonshine in the liquor stores here. Taxed and legal.

I can't imagine drinking real moonshine unless you knew the brewer was not using old car radiators and giving you lead poisoning.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by GH85Carrera

I bet he can find some moonshine from Texas in 2021. Can't get any more raw than that. They sell moonshine in the liquor stores here. Taxed and legal.

I can't imagine drinking real moonshine unless you knew the brewer was not using old car radiators and giving you lead poisoning.

I'm wondering if moonshine could be considered whiskey if it hadn't been aged a little bit.

[GH85Carrera]

I believe whisky is defined only in that is is fermented, then distilled. It can be made from grain or even beer. (gasp)

Aging it just makes it more flavorful.

Bourbon whiskey is a type of American whiskey, a barrel-aged distilled spirit made primarily from corn. I believe it HAS to be made from at least 51% corn to be called Bourbon and aged a certain amount of time.

Scotch has to be made in Scotland and has to be aged to be called Scotch. Much like Champaign has to be made in a small area in France of Champaign.

We toured the Makers Mark distillery. At the end of the tour (at 10 AM) they took us to the sample room. They had 5 grades of Maker's Mark, from minimal aged clear almost moonshine to the super aged ultra premium stuff. And yea, we were on a bus tour so a blast of bourbon at 10 AM was just a good buzz. We toured Jack Daniels after lunch. I have not had any hard liquor since that tour.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by GH85Carrera

I believe whisky is defined only in that is is fermented, then distilled. It can be made from grain or even beer. (gasp)

Aging it just makes it more flavorful.

Bourbon whiskey is a type of American whiskey, a barrel-aged distilled spirit made primarily from corn. I believe it HAS to be made from at least 51% corn to be called Bourbon and aged a certain amount of time.

Scotch has to be made in Scotland and has to be aged to be called Scotch. Much like Champaign has to be made in a small area in France of Champaign.

We toured the Makers Mark distillery. At the end of the tour (at 10 AM) they took us to the sample room. They had 5 grades of Maker's Mark, from minimal aged clear almost moonshine to the super aged ultra premium stuff. And yea, we were on a bus tour so a blast of bourbon at 10 AM was just a good buzz. We toured Jack Daniels after lunch. I have not had any hard liquor since that tour.

I checked wikipedia (never wrong) and it did specify fermented "grain mash" or beer (fermented grain), then distilled and often/usually aged. Otherwise, fermented and distilled would mean that pretty much every liquor would be considered whiskey since they are all fermented and distilled. Still, interesting, fermented grain mash and distilled does leave it open as a very vague definition, kind of like the quadrilateral of the liquor world.

I suspect he's not talking about anything clear like moonshine.

[HardDrive]

This basically means 'a bourbon made in Texas', yes?

[masraum]

Originally Posted by HardDrive

This basically means 'a bourbon made in Texas', yes?

I believe that's what he's looking for, but not just a bourbon made in Texas, but a "less aged, more raw" bourbon made in Texas.

[PorscheGAL]

Not had anything from either of these distilleries but they were recommended by Whisky Advocate.

Ranger's Creek

Devil's River

[masraum]

thanks

[tabs]

Originally Posted by HardDrive

This basically means 'a bourbon made in Texas', yes?

There is no such thing as Texas Bourbon....it is FAKE Bourbon


To be called Bourbon it has to be made in Kentucky. put in newly charred white oak barrels and aged to varying degrees.

[jrj3rd]

The great Tabsanian is wrong. There is no location requirement to be called bourbon. Just minimum 51% corn mash bill and aged 3 yrs in oak barrels.

Check out TX whiskey from Fort Worth and I know Austin Still makes some white whiskey.

[pwd72s]

Originally Posted by HardDrive

This basically means 'a bourbon made in Texas', yes?

But bourbon has to be made in Kentucky to be legally called bourbon, That's why Jack Daniels is "Tennessee Whiskey".

Tabby nailed it.

[RWebb]

I think Grandpa used to run a still up at the farm. You can go search thru the rubble, which is about where they were gonna site the super-collider.

[pmax]

What did Bond drink in Goldfinger ?

[mattdavis11]

Somebody here once recommended Andalusia. Distilled in Blanco. I've never tried it.

[Bill Douglas]

Originally Posted by masraum

"less aged, more raw, Texas whiskey."

I suspect we're all a bit too grown up for this stunt. But when I was a school boy I used to sneak through the back fence of a cigarette factory and tip the dregs out of the 44 gallon drums of bourbon they used for making tobacco. that stuff was pretty raw.

[Pazuzu]

Originally Posted by pwd72s

But bourbon has to be made in Kentucky to be legally called bourbon, That's why Jack Daniels is "Tennessee Whiskey".

Tabby nailed it.

You're both wrong, the geographic requirements of Bourbon are a wive's tale. Jack Danial's probably keeps that going just to distinguish itself.

Yes, 99.99% of Bourbon is made in Bourbon county, but there is no law about that.

So, the question remains, does your friend want a raw Texas Bourbon (corn based distillate) or whiskey (grain based distillates)?


I don't know of many Texas Whiskeys, we seem to do Gin and Vodka, probably some state requirements make them more feasible. Maybe its only places that want to serve on site?

Stick with what we know here, Yellow Rose Distillery. I-10 and 610, kinda behind IKEA

[GH85Carrera]

To be called Kentucky bourbon, it has to be made in Kentucky. But bourbon can be made anywhere with at least 51% corn and aged in new oak barrels.

We asked about that at the Jack Daniels factory tour.

[HarryD]

https://www.liquor.com/articles/straight-from-the-still/

[thingmon]

I'm no expert, but 1835 is an ok Bourbon. Specs sells it. Raileans is a distillery in San Leon, SE of Houston, they have Rum, Tequila, Vodka and a Whiskey line. Haven't had the whiskey, but the others are decent. Haven't seen them in Specs in a while.