Still Austin Cask Strength Review
In Depth Review
The Texas whisky scene has been booming – with new(ish) distilleries like Garrison Brothers and Balcones becoming big players in the American whisky scene in only a few short years. Texas whisky has since become its own distinct style of whisky – one that takes advantage of the specific and unique climate that can produce big robust whiskies after only a few short years in the barrel. The massive regional temperature swings have a lot to do with it, accelerating the aging process in ways other states could only dream of. But despite its rapidly expanding fanbase, some still aren’t sold on Texas whisky. After all, how could a two-year-old product be any good? Isn’t that craft whisky territory?
I’ll be honest and say I don’t have a lot of experience with Texas whisky. Outside of a few distillery visits and a bottle of Balcones Baby Blue, I don’t have much of a reference point. So, when I came across Still Austin Cask Strength on sale for around $42, I figured it was worth a shot, but my expectations weren’t very high. Sure, the proof was excellent at 118, the color looked fantastic, and the label spoke of being a truly “grain to glass” distillery. But I was still hung up over the fact it was “at least two years old” – something that’d keep me buying from Kentucky, Tennessee, or Scotland. But after letting it sit in the cabinet a few months, I decided it was time to break her open and find out if Texas whisky can live up to their sometimes-exorbitant prices.
Age: At least 2 years old
ABV: 59%
Cask: New White Oak
MSRP: $50
Distillery Name: Still Austin
Review Date: 10/7/22
Color: Bright amber caramel
Nose: The nose starts off with a bright and vibrant oaky character. Barrel char, wood varnish, and warm vanilla all make an appearance. Not overly sweet, the oak is balanced well by its strong vanilla notes. Not a hugely complex nose, it feels well-rounded for only two years of age.
Palate: This is a chewy whisky. Initially the 118 proof comes in hot and heavy but quickly levels out and the oak character from the nose takes its place. On the palate it’s got dark bitter chocolate, burnt toffee, coffee, and heavy amounts of barrel char - creating a brooding, deep, rich and complex palate that begs to be swished around your mouth. In the mid-palate you will find notes of dark stone fruit, but those are sandwiched between strong flavors of oak and mocha. The more sips you take, the more coffee and wood spice arrive. The mouthfeel punches above its weight, with excellent heat and a nice oily texture.
Finish: The finish is long and spicy – leading with lots of cinnamon and black pepper. Dry and savory on the finish, the spice builds and creates a nice, long-lasting heat.
Final Thoughts: Still Austin Cask Strength was a surprise for me. Picked up on sale for around $42, I didn’t know what I was expecting – but whatever it was – this has far exceeded those expectations. While the nose starts off bright and oaky, the palate is much darker with heavy char and spiced cocoa. At times it reminded me of a Mexican hot chocolate. It’s deep and powerful, packed with intense flavors born from that unique Texas climate. The finish leaves you with a nice mix of cinnamon and wood spice that sticks around for a long time. A remarkable pour for the price, I find myself still struggling to comprehend how this could only be two years old.
Score: 92
