Gonna try some Balcones I think, they are more affordable for my Whiskey Bank $$

the 'texas twang' from a majority of Texas bourbons always turns me off. Grainy and unpleasant compared to other options. Feels like im drinking a barn at times lol. However, imo Still Austin puts out the best texas bourbons, most aligned to what you can find from Kentucky brands while still being unique.

@@elcamaleon2471 interesting. Maybe that slow water reduction process does work for Texas 😆. I'll need to give more Texas whiskeys a try these days as I haven't had a different distillery one in a while and see what that "Texas twang" is all about 😆. Thanks for the information!

@@andrettski8686 I haven't had a Balcones in a while and don't remember too much about the experience. If you do give it a try, let me know how you like it! Cheers~

My experience with Texas whiskeys is that expect a lot of intensity and it’s either you like it or you don’t. There is no middle ground from my experience. Some have a very heavy corn husk and char note you either like or don’t. Even the lower proof has it just a little less then when you go higher proof it is super strong.

Hey Nancy! First of all, it's an honor that you would view my videos and comment on the ones you saw 🥰. Thank you so much for watching this average guy drink whiskey 😆. Second, I wanted to apologize for pronouncing your last name wrong on my video. Unfortunately I caught it during editing and I couldn't go back and re-record (my setup is in my living room and I take down the set when I'm done recording a video). It is your fault the "single barrel" wasn't worth the upgrade as the "The Musician" cask strength is so delicious, it sets a high bar to beat 😉. I would love to get my hands on your pick, but in Southern California, I know only Total Wine & More has the store pick (I actually don't think any other store even carries Still Austin at all). If you could have somebody at Still Austin contact me (email in my video description) or if you give me a person to contact at Still Austin (or a retailer that can ship to CA) with your pick, I would purchase it in a heartbeat! Many of the comments I got was to try your pick as it is the best out there, but I just can't find any 😪. Regarding the Wyoming Whiskey, maybe I phrased it badly by using "poor man's", but it felt like Frey Ranch "light" in a sense where I get most of the notes, but not as "intense" or strong as a Frey Ranch Store Pick. Especially the sweet, fruit, and chocolate are all there, but just to a lessor degree or "punch". Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed the bottle, but to replace it will cost me from $65 to $80 (depending on store) and I like to try new things and many new offerings are at that price point (including Still Austin! Hopefully the Bottled in Bonds will be available here soon!). In one of my earlier videos (bad videos 😅), I list the "5 whiskeys I'm drinking right now" and in the "finished" category was the Wyoming Whiskey Double Cask. I always have a bottle of that in my shelf as it's one of the few finished whiskeys I like. And the Murray Hill Club, absolute masterpiece!! I love it and it's been on multiple videos of mine where I just praise it's deliciousness! I believe you were on "Whiskey Wisdom's" livestream when I was on it and I choose the Murray Hill Club to drink with Matt on the livestream as I was really enjoying it. If you made that off those notes, that is amazing! I tried the "W.B. Saffell" and "Bond & Lillard" which kind of did the same thing with notes from the State Fair and I will have to say, they did not do as good of a job as you did with Murray Hill Club (I did a review of the W.B. and B&L and let's just say, I hope the Russell's don't see it 😅). If I get anything wrong in my video (information or anything), please let me know! I am absolutely looking forward to more offerings from Still Austin as the good stuff ain't available in CA yet! (Cask Strength Rye, Bottles in Bonds, etc.). Again, if you can get me the Marketing department's information on how I can purchase those, let me know!! Thank you so much for your view and comment! I am so honored and "in awe" that you would take the time do so. Happy Holidays and I hope you and your family (and Still Austin) a wonderful and prosperous new year!!

I heard some of the picks at the distillery (especially Nancy's picks) are just amazing and absolutely worth the upgrade! But unfortunately, I'm in California and there is no way I can get any of those bottles 😥. Maybe they'll start showing up here in 2024! Thank you so much for your view and comment! Super appreciate it and cheers~

Hey Kevin! Thanks a ton for your wonderful compliment 😊. Have you had a pour of still Austin? If so, did you like it? Hope you had a wonderful weekend and cheers ~

Hey Jesus! I hope their other offerings (bottle in bond, cask strength rye, etc.) Come to California soon as I would love to try some! I'm jealous you got the red corn and high rye, they are so good I heard! Also 4 years (bottled in bond minimum) is like 10 years in Kentucky (according to Still Austin) so I'm so curious 🤔. When you try those bottles, let me know how you like it! Thank you so much for all your views and comments! Truly appreciate it and Merry Christmas! Cheers~

Hey Mike! I had the same dilemma and that's why I decided to do the video 😆. I heard there are Nancy Fraley picks at the distillery that are wonderful but I would not buy another Total Wine pick and pay that $30 upcharge. Thanks a ton for viewing and commenting on my video so quickly 👍. It really helps out the video and Merry Christmas! Cheers~

Thank you so much for the compliment! Always appreciate the kind words 😁. Merry Christmas and cheers ~

Hey Conor! Thank you so much for the compliment! I really appreciate you noticing and commenting on the editing and added visuals 😆. I hope it also gave you some good entertainment and a little education regarding the Still Austin distillery and what they do! Thanks a ton for your view and comment! Happy holidays and cheers~

Hey Joe! Thanks a ton for the awesome compliment 😊. Yeah, with the large increase in price came with a large increase in quality/experience, but it was so close that it is not worth the extra $$ to upgrade. Maybe the regular cask strength is just too good 😆. Let's hope the price decreases or the quality increases on the single barrel to make it more competitive! Thank you so much for your view and comment! Super appreciate it and cheers~

Hey Billy! It was a big "sacrifice" 😆. I always wanted to get a bottle and it is better than the cask strength so I'll finish this one fast but will not be picking up another one anytime soon. If your local store has a pick and samples are available, it would be best to try before spending the big bucks on a store pick. Thank you so much for your view and comment! Greatly appreciate it and Merry Christmas! Cheers ~

Hello Still Austin! Thank you for the awesome compliment! It was a ton of fun doing this video as I really enjoy your whiskeys! 😁 Only question I have is when are you planning to distribute more of your whiskey lineups to Southern California? I see the Musician (regular, cask strength, and single barrel from Total Wine), The Artist (Regular only), and The Naturalist (Gin). But I heard so many good things about the The Artist Cask Strength and your Bottled in Bond lineups, yet I can't get them here (only through online with shipping and I don't like to pay for shipping 😆). I would love to do some reviews on them (basically I want to drink them🤣) so let me know when they are coming to California and I'll be ready for them! Thank you so much for viewing and commenting on this video! Let me know if I made any mistakes or if you wanted to add any additional information so I can have it ready for the next video on Still Austin! Greatly appreciate your support and I hope Still Austin a wonderful 2024! Cheers~

Hey Zack! It is a great bottle and one of the reasons you don't need to upgrade to the single barrel. I truly appreciate your view and comment! Thank you so much and cheers~

Hey Ken! Once you get your bottle and have a pour, let me know how you like it! There are some fire picks out there, but it seems the Total Wine pick isn't one of them. A good one, but definitely not the best I had from Still Austin. I'll try my best to represent us on KZfaq 😆. Hopefully I'll just not mess it up 🤪. Thanks a ton for your view and comment! Super appreciate it and Merry Christmas! Cheers~

Hey Steve! I'm glad I have able to (hopefully) answer the question that you had! Did you pick up the cask strength? If so, how you like it? Thank you so much for your view and comment! Greatly appreciate it and have a wonderful New Year! Cheers~

I did get the cask strength. It was good. By far the best Texas whiskey I’ve had. It’s worth the money

@@stevenreep385 Awesome!! Great to hear you enjoy it! Also, if you have the stomach to do so, it makes a wonderful Old Fashioned!

Hey Dave! When doing the research for this video, I didn't know about the slow water reduction process that still austin uses in this detail and it must make a difference as it's a good Texas whiskeys while others are not.... as good. Now I know so I'll be trying to find a difference when I try another whiskey from Texas. Thanks a ton for viewing and commenting so quickly on the video! It really helps out the channel! Merry Christmas and cheers ~

Hey Barry! That's awesome! Once you have a pour or two, let me know how you like it and if you get the same notes I do! Thanks a ton for your view and comment! Greatly appreciate it and cheers ~

Hey Dave! There are some fantastic picks out there for Still Austin, but Total Wine is probably the most widely distributed pick and that's why I picked it to compare. The pick is better than the regular Cask Strength but it was all about the price difference as the gap of $30 seems excessive. I also like Ironroot cask strength and maybe it's time to do a comparison between the two 😆. Thank you so much for commenting and viewing the video so quickly! It really helps out the channel! Merry Christmas and cheers ~

@@WhiskeyBank Merry Christmas to you and your Family!

Hey David! Unfortunately, Still Austin Bottled in Bonds are not available locally in my area yet (only through Seelbach's) and I'm not a big fan of paying for shipping 😆. I hope they have their "free shipping" month soon then I'll order some. Hopefully you can sample the Still Austin Store Pick as well so you can decide for yourself if that pick is worth the extra $$! Thanks a ton for all your views and comments in 2023! Hopefully you'll stick around in 2024!😁. Happy Holidays and cheers~

I heard the "Nancy's" picks are absolutely worth it as they are a little older and just best of the best barrels. If I ever get a chance to go down there, that's on my to do list! Thanks a million for your view and comment! Greatly appreciate it and cheers ~

I heard their bottled in bond series is fantastic, especially that high rye! Unfortunately California doesn't get any of the bottled in bonds yet so I'm hoping they expand distribution next year 😁. I'm a fan of still austin so I'll make a review video once I see it! Thanks a ton for your view and comment! Merry Christmas and cheers ~

It is one of my favorite bottles as it's so versatile as well! Good neat, over ice, or in an old fashioned! I hope California gets their bottled in bond series soon! Thank you so much for your view and comment! Greatly appreciate it and Merry Christmas! Cheers ~

This is why I do the videos so I can do the research and save people money! I don't understand the cost difference as it should be closer to $10 to $15 instead of the $30. Oh well, maybe they disclose more information on the next batch of single barrels so we can understand their pricing method. If you ever get a chance to try a single barrel, let me know your thoughts and if you agree or disagree with me! Thank you so much for all you do for my channel! I always appreciate your comments and being there for me! Merry Christmas and Cheers~

Merry Christmas 🎅!

I agree that if you can't get "Nancy's" pick from the distillery, it is a better value to get the regular cask strength than the single barrel! Thank you so much for your view and comment! Greatly appreciate it and cheers~

That was a great choice to upgrade for a gift! You're right that the label and handwritten information along with the additional age makes it a much better gift than the regular Cask Strength. 👍. Hope your friend liked it! Thank you so much for your view and comment! Greatly appreciate it and cheers ~

It's almost like the regular still austin cask strength is so good, it makes the single barrel hard to be so much better to justify the price increase 😆. I heard the Nancy's picks at the distillery is wonderful and I need one in my life 😎. Thanks a ton for your view and comment! Greatly appreciate it and cheers ~

Hey Chris! If you haven't tried any Texas bourbons, I would definitely give Still Austin a shot! It's different than Kentucky bourbons and has a unique flavor (heavy cinnamon I called it) that I like as it's a great change of pace. Thank you so much for being so fast to view and comment on my video! Super appreciate it and Merry Christmas! Cheers~

I bought a bottle of single barrel and honestly, I think I will use it to clean car parts. VERY disappointing. I am a native Texan, so I was really hoping it would be great.

@@stevestowell-virtue3781 Hey Steve! I wouldn't say it's that bad 🤣. Due to the proof, I would definitely use it in an old fashioned or even just over ice to bring out the sweetness of you don't like it neat. For me, I love my Kentucky and Tennessee whiskeys but the still Austin does provide a good "change of pace" from time to time. Let me know how you like it over ice or in an old fashioned! Thanks a ton for your view and interesting comment! Merry Christmas and cheers ~

@WhiskeyBank I really like high proof bourbon, rye, and American single malts, so I gravitate toward cask strengths and single barrels. I just didn't get much nose or palate from it. I had a neck pour, so maybe give it another try another pour and let it air for a half hour first.

@@stevestowell-virtue3781 let me know how you feel after another pour! Cheers~

Hey Jon! If you like the regular still Austin bourbon and rye, you'll love the cask strength ones! Especially with only a $10n difference, it's an absolute upgrade 👌 Have a fantastic evening and cheers~

Hey Vic! I wish I could have tried the Still Austin Total Wine & More pick before I purchased it as... I probably would have passed on it 😆. You'll be surprised on how many stores here in CA don't really have a good store pick tasting program (and big box stores aren't allowed to do it). It is something that needs to change as I would think the stores would try to advertise and sell their store picks before anything else. Oh well, maybe next year! Yes, the Old Overholt Cask Strength should be the next review video. Of course, that is if I stay on schedule and do it 😂. I would like to see a review from you soon!!! I hope your having a wonderful holiday season and take cares my friend! Cheers~

@@WhiskeyBank Beginning of the year is when I will put out my first review…. So keep an eye out after the New Year!

@@TheWhiskeyPanda37 I will keep both my eyes out for your video! Let me know if you have any questions for me and I will do my best to help!

Hey Darrell! Hope your recovery from Covid is going well and not interrupting any holiday plans. Also, hopefully your taste buds are intact as you got some great bourbons to drink these days 😆. Hope all is well this holiday season and Merry Christmas! Cheers~

@WhiskeyBank it sucks no doubt but I'm living thank you

Hey Bradley! I heard there are some fantastic single barrels out there for Still Austin and the one I had is better than the cask strength, but it wasn't worth the extra $30. I wish it was a $10 to $15 premium over the cask strength and I might have recommended the upgrade but at 60% premium, it's a tough ask. Also, the cask strength is good! Maybe that's why it's hard to upgrade as the regular is so fantastic itself 🤣. I hope to try other single barrels in the future! As well as their bottled in bond offerings which I heard are fantastic. Thank you so much for your view and insightful comment! Merry Christmas and cheers~

We get the regular rye here but not the Cask Strength! 😭. We also don't get the bottled in bonds here either 😫. I'm hoping in the new year, Still Austin will expand distribution to California and I'll get a lot more choices of their awesome bourbons and ryes! How does the rye compare to others? Thank you so much for viewing and commenting on my video so fast 😆. It really helps my channel! Merry Christmas and cheers~

@@WhiskeyBank IMO their Cask Rye is a far more complex and interesting experience. Their BIB series is some of their best work! The Autumn installment High Rye is fantastic

@@elcamaleon2471 dang it! Now I want it more and more. Will need to do some online search 🤣. Thanks for the information and increasing my FOMO! 🤪

At least for the Total Wine picks, it's not worth the upgrade and the extra $30 to get the single barrel. From what I hear, the Nancy Fraley picks at the distillery are worth a buy (it's rumored to be older and from the best parts of the distillery). I hope to get a bottle of that someday! Have you had to regular cask strength? If so, did you like it? Thank you so much for your view and comment! Super appreciate it and cheers~

If you're into Cask Strength bourbons, I would go straight to the cask strength instead of the regular still austin. It is not too much more expensive but so much more flavorful 😄. Regarding water added, not too familiar with the Old Elk process but for Still Austin and Michters, they do it for different reasons. Still Austin adds water during the aging process due to the Texas heat and the high amount of Angel's share. This keeps the whiskey not too oaky. Michters has a barrel entry proof of 103 as the water is better at extracting the sugars and sweetness from the barrel char, giving it a smoother, more flavorful whiskey without the harshness of the alcohol. Hopefully this helps and if you get the Still Austin, let me know how you like it! Thank you so much for your view and comment! Greatly appreciate it and cheers ~

Thanks for the info@@WhiskeyBank

Very helpful. The old elk process claims that adding water to finish liquor too quick raises it's temp from a reaction. I'm not sure if that matters.@@WhiskeyBank

@@scoobtoober2975 unfortunately I have not researched into old elk yet. I'll do some studying on their process and maybe even do a review 😆.

Hey Glen! I saw! I'm going to keep up the Rye and see how it compares to other good ryes I purchased recently (JD BP Rye, etc.). Hopefully it's as good as those as more good whiskeys the better! I truly appreciate you always viewing and commenting on my videos! Thank you so much and cheers~

The rye is 15 percent off this month! For $50 I cant pass it up.

@@GLENBECKHAM I got till the 11th to use it so now is the time 😆

Hey Rene! I'm into unique bourbons as I love my kentucky and Tennessee bourbons but I like a little change of pace from time to time and the Still Austin Cask Strength does that for me 😆. Especially when it's $45 and you have a 15% off coupon 💪. It's not for everybody as it does have a little kick or funk due to the extreme temperature and the quick maturation of whiskey. Thank you so much for viewing and commenting so quickly on the video! It really helps out the channel! Merry Christmas and cheers~

I'll have to give it another try since everyone talks so highly about it. I also just love collecting different styles of bourbon and whiskey. And yes, at that price and with a coupon is a definite buy. Cheers David

@@renepirolt let me know your thoughts once you give it a second chance!

Hey Sean! Like I said, the Single Barrel is "better" than the regular Cask Strength, but it was a good time to buy the Single Barrel since I believe it is on sale until the end of the year! (and hopefully you had a coupon to even bring the price down further). It might not be "worth it" for the upgrade in a pure review, but I certainly don't regret getting it and will enjoy my bottle! Most Total Wines employees don't enjoy bourbons as much as I thought they would and so you'll really need to find the right employee to get some good advice. But you are enjoy it (same here) and that's all that matters!! Thank you so much for your view and comment! I hope you find some great bourbons at MSRP in 2024 and cheers~

@WhiskeyBank I didn't get the 15% direct spirit deal or any coupon. Wasn't aware of coupon available. I agree that most employees do not know much about bourbon and those that know tend to push their direct spirits.

@@mr.seanster that is true. Hopefully all still austin will be spirits direct and you can use the coupon for the next one! Enjoy~

@@WhiskeyBank they are. Thanks

And it is good to see another Asian man enjoying bourbon.

I remember a football in Dallas that had a lot of snow in the 90's so maybe north Texas gets frosty? 😆. That was a long time ago so probably things changed. Have a wonderful weekend and cheers~

Hey Dana! Still Austin is worth a try and I'll hand you some samples of these the next time I see you! Especially over ice, these do really well and brings out more of the sweetness~ Hope you and your family are having a wonderful holiday season and cheers my friend!

Hey David! Yeah, this type of large price increase is a rare, but they do age is 33% more and with the Texas heat, that is costly. But I wish that of price increase and age also came with a large increase in quality or experience, but with it being so close, it was just not worth the upgrade to me. Hopefully either price will come down or the quality will go up on the single barrel 😆. Thank you so much for your view and comment! Greatly appreciate it and cheers~

@@WhiskeyBank That's interesting! I missed that detail about the objective added value in the store pick. I would be very interested in a follow up review of these bottles as, in my experience, whiskies can change significantly as they oxidize. I've revisited some bottles that I really couldn't stand at first pour that turned into something delicious several months later. It would be an interesting experiment to see if 6+ months from the first video if the difference in experience is still minimal.

@@MaasMan22 I have a "buy more or never more" series where I "re-review" the bottles after I finished them and once I finish the still Austin's (which should be soon as I drink them too fast 😆), they'll be in there for sure. It'll be a fun re-review 😎

@@WhiskeyBank Very cool! I'm enjoying your content.

Hey Robert! I haven't tried any of the Balcones single malts yet. And your right about the price on Garrison Brothers as I've had pours but never a bottle due to the high prices. I'll need to try the Balcones single malt next year! Thanks a ton for your view and insightful comment! Super appreciate it and Merry Christmas! Cheers ~

I agree with you! Single Barrel is a nice pour but so is the regular Cask Strength and so that $30 mark up seems a bit high. But that's because the regular Cask Strength is so good I guess 😆. Have a wonderful father's day and cheers ~

Hey DH! I do too! That's why I compared it to the single barrel as those are more aged. There is improvement with age but certainly not worth the upgrade. I heard there are "Nancy's" pick at the distillery which are 4+ years and absolutely delicious! If I ever make it out to Texas, that's what I'm getting 😆. Thanks a million for your view and comment! Super appreciate it and cheers ~

Hey iPodicus! That is a great deal and at that price, I would buy multiple bottles!! Glad to hear you were able to get one at a wonderful price. Once you open it and have a pour, let me know how you like it! Thank you so much for your view and comment! Super appreciate it and happy holidays! Cheers~

@@WhiskeyBank the pour was distinctly Texas, heavy brown sugar on the nose but the taste has hints of hickory and licorice. It finishes hot with rye spice on back end

@@Calipod it does have a good amount of rye spice at the end for sure. Hopefully you liked it and it was worth your money! Thank you for the update!

@@WhiskeyBank I think everyone should have a least one bottle of Texas whiskey for variety on their shelf. I liked it a lot

@@Calipod agreed! 👍glad you enjoyed it~

Hey Michael! Yeah, I would love to ask Still Austin how they decided on the price point as it's like this for all places I see both. An explanation or maybe a definite age statement would probably go a long way in consumer's decision. Oh well, I'll just drink the cask strength until something changes 😆. Thanks a million for viewing and commenting so quickly on my video! It really helps me out and Merry Christmas! Cheers~

You’re lucky to still get Evan Williams SB for $30. They’re all gone in my area and have been for years. One of the best SBs at the the $30 price point until the Benchmark one came out.

Hey Marvin! I would give Still Austin an opportunity as they are the best from Texas for me. I haven't even tried their good stuff (bottled in bond, cask strength rye, etc.). I'm interested in the bottled in bond stuff as 4 years in Texas is like 10 years in Kentucky (according to Still Austin). If you ever try it, let me know how you like it! Thanks a ton for all your support in 2023! Merry Christmas and cheers~

Oof! That's before Tax? Even after tax that's high so that'll be tough. Hopefully they are also "spirits direct" in WA so you can use the coupon to bring the price down a bit. If so, I would give the regular Cask Strength a shot as it's a good unique bourbon. Thank you so much for viewing and commenting on my video so quickly! 😆. It really helps out the video! Merry Christmas and cheers ~

@@WhiskeyBank That's my estimate after taxes out the door. WA has a huge extra liquor tax and sales tax. Oregon doesn't have any Still Austin. Merry Christmas to you too.

@@andrettski8686 that's not "too bad" after taxes for the cask strength considering no state income tax 😆. If a coupon works, I would recommend a try. And if you don't like it... .... well.... it'll be an experience to remember! 🤣

I’d wait until those went on sale at your local TW. At those prices you will be severely disappointed.

Ridiculous

Hey Troy! After two full glens of these cask strength beauties, I probably say a lot of words in an odd way 🤣. Thank you so much for your view and comment! Greatly appreciate it and cheers~

@WhiskeyBank oh ok. I think it might be the accent but ok dude 🤘🏼🤣

@@WhiskeyBank full glens?? So damn you're doing like 6 ounce pours. Shit!

@@detroyt232323 I meant 2 oz pours (I guess not full full 😆). I do sometimes fill a little more in between takes as I need a couple of additional sips to get the palate notes. I do cut it all out as nobody wants to see me just pour and drink more 🤣

Hey Jesse! Trust me, it's more cringe when I watch myself on these videos 😆. Let me know what I can do to improve so it'll make it more enjoyable 😀. Thanks for your view and comment! Appreciate it and cheers~