What started as a father's post-retirement dream and a son's desire to spend more time with his dad transformed into a year of purposeful planning and the eventual birth of Still Austin Whiskey. Cleveland and his son Chris spent an entire year studying the feasibility of starting a distillery in Austin, which consisted of traveling together, visiting distilleries, and gaining a solid understanding of the market. What I find most interesting (and endearing) about Still Austin's origin story is the way in which whiskey brought the father-son duo together, as only whiskey can, which is highlighted on their website:
Prior to this "study" the father-son duo rarely talked with one another buy they soon found themselves talking every day. And not just talking about business. After a few whiskeys they were talking about everything—even feelings! As Chris says, "it was the best thing to ever happen to me and my dad.
As an added bonus to the duo's year-long study, in 2013, Texas state laws changed, making it easier to open a craft distillery. For both Cleveland and Chris, all signs were pointing toward opening a craft distillery in Texas. With a grain-to-glass philosophy, the duo assembled a team of local farmers, whiskey experts, and local artists to bring Cleveland's vision to life.
In an effort to highlight the originality and artistry of making grain-to-glass spirits, Still Austin brought on local artist Marc Burkhardt to commission original hand-painted artwork for their flagship bottle labels. I guarantee it's impossible to separate Still Austin from the beautiful artwork on their labels, as much as it is to remove the word "weird" when mentioning the city of Austin. Today, Still Austin is a multi-award-winning distillery contributing to Austin's vibrant music community by blending spirits with local culture. And they are thriving!
Pictured above and the bottle up for review is one of Still Austin's flagship offerings. Affectionately referred to as a "more metal version of our beloved straight bourbon," on their website, this cask strength bourbon has become quite popular since its release in 2020, thanks in part to a wider distribution and expert palates on the distilling team: Head Distiller John Schrepel, Master Blender Nancy Fraley and Master Distiller Mike Delevante. I was absolutely thrilled when Still Austin hit my local shelves in 2023, and I am honored to feature them on your favorite independent whiskey review site.
Company on Label: Still Austin Whiskey Co.
Whiskey Type: Bourbon whiskey
Mash Bill Percentages: 70% white corn, 25% rye, 5% malted barley
Proof: 116°
Age: at least 2 years
Further identification: This bottle was bought in 2023 and is available for an MSRP of $60.00
Nose: Citrus bounds out of the glass as I lift it to my nose, a mix of blood orange and tangerines followed by a healthy dose of oak spice, notably cinnamon and nutmeg. There's a distinct creaminess here, too, like a dollop of whipped cream melting over a warmed blondie with roasted pistachio and a drizzle of honey. The slightest whiff of oiled leather reveals itself with a deep inhale, which is crazy given the age statement on this bourbon. It's time for a sip.
After a few sips, I return to find fresh-out-of-the-oven cinnamon rolls, but not the kind Grandma makes; these are the bougie specialty kind I'm not sure actually exist but likely do in some farm-to-table craft restaurant. The ethanol on the nose does become more pronounced as the liquid diminishes in my glass. Much of the earlier rich aromas seem to have been swallowed up at the very end here. The empty glass smells like chocolate chip cookie dough and honey chamomile tea.
Palate: Hello, orange creamsicle. If I ever envisioned enjoying this nostalgic ice cream treat during Christmas (honestly, I never have), this is it. There is so much warmth and rye spice on my tongue, like a well-lived fire warming a drafty room in a brick-lined fireplace. A bigger sip and swish usher in vanilla bean, brown sugar, and a slice of pecan crumble cake. The finish is spiced forward, cinnamon and nutmeg, with a slight savory vinegar note. Like walking through a farmer's market, each flavor has its own dedicated space, but the collective whole makes total sense. Additional sips bring flambeed peaches with orange zest, brown sugar, and a hint of vanilla with a mouth-coating and gum-tingling feel. As the last sip hits my lips, the balance from start to finish and from sweet to spicy remains. This is a warm hug from the grand state of Texas.
TL;DR: a flavorful, well-balanced Texas whiskey that will fool you into thinking it's older than its age
Rating: 4/5
The color and flavor of this two year old whiskey have left a long-lasting impression on me since trying it in 2022. There's also a distinct flavor woven throughout; I can blind most of Still Austin's expressions and identify them in a lineup (not a humble brag but a statement of reoccurrence) which speaks to a master blender with a razor-sharp palate. This cask strength bourbon is why I continue to keep an eye on Still Austin. There's magic happening there, and the Still Austin team is harnessing it like true magicians.
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