Texas whiskey is a force to be reckoned with these days, with distilleries like Garrison Brothers, TX Whiskey, Milam and Greene, and Balcones all making different styles that are worth checking out. One of the very best of the lot is Still Austin, a small distillery operating in the capital city that is making bourbon and rye that can stand with the best of Kentucky—and the latest release is the oldest in its Bottled in Bond series that is made with red corn in the mashbill.
Still Austin has been around for more than a decade, and the core lineup now consists of straight bourbon and rye whiskey, as well as cask-finished and cask-strength versions, that are made in small batches at the distillery which is located in an industrial park in the city. The Bottled in Bond series, which kicked off in June of 2023, includes seasonal vintage expressions that are made from mashbills that sometimes include heritage grains. As a reminder, the term bottled-in-bond means that the whiskey is at least four years old, bottled at exactly 100 proof, and the product of one distillery and one distillation season.
The new Red Corn Bourbon is made from a mashbill of 36 percent Jimmy red corn, 34 percent white corn, 25 percent rye, and five percent malted barley. The reason for using Jimmy red corn is to try to capture particular flavors from the grain, something that other distilleries like High Wire in South Carolina have been doing for years. This is one of the oldest whiskeys in the series to date, following the summer 2023 release (four years old) and the summer 2024 release (five years old), and that additional year has really made this bourbon hit the sweet spot of maturation. Official tasting notes list aromas of hazelnut, cashew, and strawberry soda on the nose, followed by peanut brittle, pumpkin seed, pecan, and red velvet cake on the palate. We got to try a sample, and there is indeed a nice balance of sweet and subtle savory notes, with flavors like black pepper, maple, and creme brulee in the mix as well. This is a great sipping bourbon, but one that would make a fantastic Old Fashioned cocktail if you’re so inclined.
Still Austin Bottled in Bond Red Corn Bourbon sold out recently, but check specialty retailers and websites like ReserveBar to see if you can snag a bottle—and be sure to check the label to see which vintage you’re buying—or collect all three to compare and see how the progression of age has affected the whiskey’s flavor.
Authors
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Jonah Flicker