.balcones - brimstone

53% abv, €75, single malt, non-chill filtered, natural color, caramel E150a added

Nose: leather, wet raincoat, burnt matches, smoke, rubber, smoked fish with the skin still on, gym, bicycle inner tube, a just put up new tent, bacon, ham, sweet, fresh green wood
Palate: bacon, spicy, sweet, slight rubber, burnt matches, honey, mackerel, rice crisps, seaweed, sweet, honey, floral
Finish: rubber, matches, slight bitter, bicycle inner tubes, rather present and long, seaweed, green tea, tannins, dry
Mark: ++/+++

Conclusion: unique smell, taste and finish, you either love it or loathe it. Or something in between. Like me. Did not like the finish though. It gets the score for its unique-ness, rather then for its smell or taste. I have heard mention that the rubbery predominance disappears when the bottle slowly gets its lower lever, so you get a better taste of the whisky itself. Not bad, but not a favourite either.

More info from the website: Purification through fire — a Texas oak fire, that is. Rather than using Scottish peat smoke, this one-of-a-kind whisky is smoked with sun-baked Texas scrub oak using our own secret process. The result is a whisky full of fresh youthful corn and light fruit notes married with a bold smokiness. Whether you like smokey whiskies, or just have a penchant for big, new flavors, Brimstone is sure to be memorable pour. Aromas of masa, Texas campfire and powdered sugar tempered with an almost salty goodness. Bold yet balanced, Brimstone is yet another Texas first from Balcones. We hope you enjoy. Brimstone is the world's first wood smoked whisky ... a Texas campfire in a bottle.