Still Austin Whiskey Co., a homegrown distillery situated in the heart of South Austin, recently launched its first limited-release Cask Strength Bourbon, in on- and off-premise establishments throughout Texas and at the Still Austin Distillery Tasting Room. Unlike the company’s Distillery Reserve Series which typically yields up to 600 total bottles and is only available at the Tasting Room, the Cask Strength Bourbon is a limited-release, meaning a larger quantity will be available in the marketplace as well. This year, the team will make 1,100 cases available now and an additional 1,100 cases available in September.
Made from 100% Texas grains, the new expression contains the same mash bill as the company’s flagship straight bourbon whiskey – 70% Non-GMO white corn, 25% Elbon rye and 5% wildfire malted barley – but without utilizing the slow water reduction process, resulting in a higher proof.
The team asked Master Blender Nancy Fraley to search through their barrels of Straight Bourbon and select the most complex and full-flavored ones—those begging to be blended and released at “barrel proof,” meaning the whiskey was bottled at the same proof at which it was aged.
The artwork on the label, created by internationally acclaimed artist and native Texan Marc Burckhardt, is a slightly modified version of the Straight Bourbon artwork, a series which portrays “archetypical” Austinites. Each provides a sense of the people who have influenced and inspired the team, while paying homage to the Texas terroir. While the Cask Strength bottle also features The Musician, the black night sky is meant to be representative of the stronger, “darker” whiskey.
GSN’s Remarks: We love the flagship version of this stellar whiskey which garnered one of our highest ratings last year. This new higher proof iteration just dials up the nose, flavors and finish to 11. There’s everything to love about this spirit, and bottled at a cask strength of 118 proof, you can play around with dilution to find the balance that you favor. Mark our words, Still Austin will be a leader in American whiskies in a few years if they continue crafting spirits like these. GSN Rating: A++
For more information go to: Still Austin
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