A New Standard: 5 Balcones Cocktails That Showcase American Single Malt Whisky at Its Best
It’s a new era for American Whisky.
A final ruling from the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) published on Dec. 18, 2024 established criteria that recognizes American Single Malt Whisky as an official category in the American spirits industry.
One distillery at the forefront of the movement for official recognition of American Single Malts (ASM) is Balcones, a craft distillery owned by Diageo that’s been producing whisky since 2009 and creating single malts since 2011. Balcones head bartender Don Phet is here to help break down what this new ruling means for the industry and consumers alike, as well as show off the versatility of American Single Malts in cocktails (because no, it’s not just for sipping neat!).
What makes an American Single Malt Whisky?
Phet explains that the creation of the American Single Malt Whisky category brings a great amount of clarity to what defines these whiskies. Before, calling something an American Single Malt Whisky invited some confusion, because the category wasn’t being enforced by any legitimate standards. Now that the TTB has recognized its distinction, awareness and understanding of what that title means have increased, which is a great opportunity for both distillers and consumers.
The American Whiskey section in most retailers will now have dedicated space for American Single Malts, and the designation brings recognition for producers and distillers at the top of their craft. Consumers will also have better trust in the category now that it adheres to standards set by the TTB.
Phet explains that the standards for American Single Malt are that it “must be mashed, distilled, and aged in the U.S. at a single distillery, made from 100 percent malted barley, distilled to a maximum of 160 proof, and aged in oak barrels with a maximum capacity of 700 liters.” From there, distillers have room to grow and innovate.
It’s worth noting that something unique about ASMs as opposed to Single Malt Scotch is that there is no minimum aging requirement — a Single Malt Scotch requires three years of maturation in oak. But in Texas, which Balcones calls home, the volatile climate actually accelerates the maturation process, meaning “exceptional whiskies develop in under three years.”
Leading the charge with Balcones
Balcones is a pioneer of the industry, starting in an old welding shop in Waco with the distilling of its Baby Blue Straight Corn Whisky, a more nuanced take on traditional corn whisky using roasted blue corn. Since then, Balcones introduced two new American Single Malts with Balcones Lineage and Texas 1. These single malts have helped define the identity of ASM, as well as put Texas single malt on the map.
“The intense Texas temperature swings and unique aging conditions create bold, rich layers of flavors,” says Phet. “As a pioneer in the category, Balcones has embraced Texas’s dynamic climate to craft whiskies with unmistakable character, cementing Texas as the natural home for ASM and positioning Balcones as the driving force shaping its future.”
The Balcones expressions are unique and stand out for different reasons. Phet says that the Texas 1 uses entirely Scottish Golden Promise malted barley, making it more oak-forward compared to the Lineage, which heavily focuses on grain character due to a blend of Scottish Golden Promise malted barley and Texas-grown malted barley.
Of course, sipping an ASM neat is a great way to get to know the spirit and understand the complexities of the barley and oak. But a single malt whisky isn’t just for drinking on the rocks, either.
Shaking & stirring: Balcones American Single Malts in cocktails
“While sipping neat highlights the depth and complexity of an ASM,” Phet says, “these whiskies also bring incredible structure, flavor, and versatility to cocktails.”
An American Single Malt Whisky is uniquely positioned for cocktail excellence because of a rich malt character, complexity, and bold flavors that mixologists can play off. According to Phet, several things inform what he uses in a mixed drink.
The Lineage, with its grain complexity, has a nuanced aging in a combination of American oak and refill European oak barrels that best suits delicate cocktails where the malt needs to stand out. Think lighter styles using dry vermouth, honey, or orchard fruits, for example.
Meanwhile, the Texas 1 has a bolder character, working well in cocktails that need a deeper, richer finish, standing up to ingredients like smoked spices, chocolate, or amaro, allowing them to add layers of flavor without overpowering the whisky.
Check out these five cocktails that celebrate the versatility of Balcones American Single Malt Whisky.
1. Sweet Ratification
Sweet Ratification honors the ASM being ratified with a stirred cocktail that’s meant to be sipped slowly. Featuring Texas 1, pecan syrup, and aromatic bitters, this spirit-forward cocktail is garnished with Texas’s state nut and an orange wheel. The nutty warmth of pecan syrup enhances the boldness of Texas 1’s bouquet of sourdough toast, peaches, and tiramisu.
Phet says: “The idea behind it was to create a drink that embodies the spirit of celebration and the journey Balcones has taken in shaping this category. It’s more than just a cocktail; it’s a new tribute to the dedication and craftsmanship that brought this milestone to life.”
Ingredients
1.5 ounces Balcones Texas 1 Single Malt Whisky
¼ ounce pecan syrup
3 dashes aromatic bitters
Garnish: dehydrated orange wheel, cinnamon stick, 1 whole pecan
Directions
Add ice into rocks glass.
Add whisky, pecan syrup, and bitters. Stir until glass is chilled.
Garnish with dehydrated orange wheel, cinnamon stick, and pecan.
2. Grapefruit Highball
Bright and balanced, the Grapefruit Highball uses crisp grapefruit soda to highlight the Lineage’s meringue and pineapple upside-down cake palate, with a punch of citrus to keep it lively. Warm afternoons and laid-back get-togethers set the stage for this no-fuss highball that lets the Lineage shine.
Ingredients
1 ¼ ounces Balcones Lineage Texas Single Malt Whisky
4 ounces grapefruit soda
Garnish: grapefruit half wheel/wheel (optional)
Directions
Add Lineage into highball glass.
Add ice into glassware.
Top off with grapefruit soda
(Optional) Garnish with a grapefruit half wheel/wheel.
3. ‘1’ Old Fashioned
The “1” Old Fashioned reimagines a classic with a Texas twist. Rich Demerara syrup (2:1 simple syrup made with Demerara sugar) adds a caramel sweetness that complements the whisky’s malty profile, with Angostura bitters balancing the spice. Stir it and finish with a fragrant lemon twist for a refined showcase of American Single Malt.
Ingredients
1.5 ounces Balcones Texas 1 Single Malt Whisky
5 dashes aromatic bitters
1 bar spoon rich Demerara syrup
Garnish: lemon twist
Directions
Add all ingredients to an Old Fashioned glass.
Add ice and stir 30 times.
Garnish with a lemon twist.
4. Texas Ti Punch
Blooming honeysuckle meets nutty richness in the Texas Ti Punch, a riff on a classic Ti’ Punch, a drink typically made with rhum agricole that is the national cocktail of Martinique and Guadeloupe. Pecan orgeat, a bright splash of lemon, and a pinch of salt add to this tiki take on the whisky sour. Served over crushed ice and garnished with fragrant mint, this cocktail pays homage to the flavors of Texas and the state tree: the pecan tree.
Ingredients
1 ¼ ounces Balcones Lineage Texas Single Malt Whisky
¼ ounce pecan orgeat*
¼ ounce lemon juice
Pinch of salt
Garnish: mint bouquet
Directions
Add all ingredients to a cocktail tin and shake with ice.
Strain into a double rocks glass and top with pebble ice.
Add straw and garnish with mint bouquet.
*Pecan Orgeat Recipe
Ingredients
4 tablespoons pecan butter (83g)
1 cup water (250g)
1 cup Demerara sugar (215g)
1 teaspoon orange flower water (7g)
Directions
Add all ingredients into a high-speed blender; blend for a few minutes.
Fine strain content.
Label, date, and store in the fridge until needed.
5. Balcola
A group-friendly drink inspired by a Waco-based soda brand, the punch-style Balcola elevates the backyard bucket serve with bubbles and spices. Almond orgeat, Kola Syrup, and lemon juice create a refreshing, balanced profile, served in retro soda bottles.
Ingredients
1¼ ounces Balcones Lineage Texas Single Malt Whisky
¼ ounce almond orgeat
¼ ounce lemon juice
½ ounce Kola Syrup
Soda water, chilled
Garnish: bendable straw
Directions
Add all ingredients except soda water to a cocktail tin and shake briefly with ice.
Strain into a pitcher and add approximately 3 ounces of soda water per cocktail to the pitcher.
Gently funnel into empty glass soda bottles and top with remaining soda water.
Garnish with a bendable straw.
This article is sponsored by Balcones.
PLEASE DRINK RESPONSIBLY. MUST BE 21+. DISTILLED & BOTTLED AT BALCONES DISTILLING, WACO, TX.
The article A New Standard: 5 Balcones Cocktails That Showcase American Single Malt Whisky at Its Best appeared first on VinePair.