Named for an iconic whale we have a gin that really nails the look and nails the first impression via smell. Sadly though with a bit of a burn, and a failure to really shine in a cocktail we have to judge whether it’s truly worth the price they are asking for, and while it’s not as bad as the last gin we had 2 weeks ago – it too falls just a bit short.
Typically you don’t see something that’s both a rye and a bourbon – they mostly just make the rye whiskey to their own standard. Maybe that’s something that should change though because this has ‘loads of flavor’ going on, and it’s only improved when you mix with it.
We previously knocked GrandTen’s outing for an Irish/Boston Whisky, but this time it’s all American baby – and it’s worse. The name wire works here evokes more of an image of a copper scrubber with this as the cleaning solution more than a copper still, and to be honest it’s not a great image to have. The worse image this conjures up though is in it’s first line asking if you’re tired of British colonization which – jeez guys – that’s a loaded question for a gin.
There’s a go to market strategy which states that if you aren’t the best, you better be first. It would seem Texas-based Balcones has taken this to heart because this thing kicks you in the teeth and offers nothing of enjoyment. Combine that with a price point that’s laughable and we enter the gauntlet once again for something that thinks it’s bigger than it’s britches.
If you’ve noticed a distinct trend on this site it’s that overall we’re not big fans of sherry casking. It’s often just the result of a tax avoidance, and usually is used improperly and to ill effect. However we have been known from time to time to enjoy that bit of sherry, and it seems that while a nice 12 year scotch may not be helped with it – it seems Rye and Sherry might just be the combo we needed. That or maybe these Limestone Branch Distillery folks know what they are doing.
So this has in 3 years gone through 3 casks, Bourbon/Port/Sherry – but the thing about casking is you kinda need time and while you do get some of the sherry finish here – it’s not ideal in any way. Add some massive burn and sugary nonsense and you begin to think maybe this shouldn’t be blonde and maybe – it just needs more time to age. As it stands though this is basically worthless.
What we have is a blended Auchentoshan decided upon by 12 bartenders from around the world who got together and created this. The mere concept of which right now in the (thankfully) waning days of pandemic lockdown is about as foreign a concept as possible. Nonetheless what have these 12 minds come together to make – well in short something that has some good aspects but also glaring flaws – so basically anything designed by a committee.
Finally the trio is completed, and according to a minor argument we had with a friend of the site – it’s about damn time. They’d made it abundantly clear to us that for Espolón – the Reposado was okay, and the Anejo wasn’t worth the time or additional funds (agreed) – the Blanco was where the real action is at. Well call us crow eaters because they were entirely correct.
It’s odd for this review to exist, because ultimately it doesn’t matter too much how the vodka inside this tastes. You wanted some monkey shot glasses and figure, well some vodka to go with it is just fine too. We could say that it’s a bit pricy for a gimmick, and that unfortunately the vodka is pretty poor – but really that doesn’t matter, it’s not going to stop people from giving them money – ahh well.
