Nonetheless Austin continues to make waves within the burgeoning Texas whiskey world — its Bonded Crimson Corn Bourbon received all types of awards final yr, and narrowly missed a spot on our High 20 Whiskeys of the 12 months checklist.
Now Nonetheless Austin is again with an much more tantalizing expression, its costliest and restricted launch up to now. The whiskey known as Tanager, a “cigar mix” bourbon created from all Texas-grown crimson, white, and blue corn within the mash (plus Texas rye and malted barley) and aged for 5 years. Based mostly on the looks of “2024 Launch” on the bottle, this appears like it’s shaping as much as be an annual affair.
One of many issues that makes the whiskey distinctive is the way in which it’s proofed — not utilizing plain water however slightly a lower-proof model of the identical spirit, a course of known as Petites Eaux.
I’ll let Nonetheless Austin clarify. Per the corporate:
As Nonetheless Austin’s most premium whiskey up to now, Tanager showcases a masterful mix of artistry and innovation, utilizing the old-world Petites Eaux (“Small Waters”) mixing approach.
Crafted from a mixture of crimson, white, and blue corn bourbon, together with choose rye and malted barley, Tanager is a testomony to the distillery’s dedication to premium high quality. Aged for no less than 5 years, this super-premium whiskey was chosen by Nonetheless Austin’s Grasp Blender Nancy Fraley and Head Distiller John Schrepel for its distinctive qualities.
To craft Nonetheless Austin’s most premium providing up to now, Nancy and John mixed Nonetheless Austin’s best six-year-old excessive rye bourbon with pure Texas water, permitting it to age at 50 proof for not less than a yr earlier than including it to the bottom whiskey for last proofing. The traditional Petites Eaux mixing approach has been practiced for hundreds of years within the Cognac and Armagnac areas of France. Petites Eaux creates a wealthy and sophisticated taste profile, including extra caramelized wooden sugars and size to the palate of the ultimate product. Just like the bourbon observe of ‘barrel rinsing,’ the small waters method takes this idea additional by extending the getting old course of. For Tanager, the result’s a cigar mix whiskey with a remarkably candy and mushy end.
“Tanager represents the end result of years of cautious mixing and getting old experience. Through the use of the Petites Eaux approach, we’ve created a whiskey that provides a singular complexity, with layers that reveal one thing new with every sip,” stated Nancy Fraley, Grasp Blender at Nonetheless Austin. “Attending to leverage Texas’ distinctive climate to provide such a easy sipper in simply 5 years is a profession spotlight.”
Whereas Petites Eaux originated in France, the approach works exceptionally effectively in Texas’ distinctive local weather. Growing old water in Texas’ scorching summers and dramatic temperature shifts ends in unparalleled depth and taste, producing superior high quality that may not be matched in different areas.
“Not like conventional cigar blends, which regularly depend on ending barrels sourced globally from sherry, rum, or cognac, Nonetheless Austin’s Tanager stands aside,” stated John Schrepel, Head Distiller at Nonetheless Austin. “This whiskey attracts its strong taste profile solely from Texas components, without having for ending barrels. The result’s an genuine Texas expression—wealthy, daring, and reflective of the area’s distinctive terroir.”
Every bottle of Tanager is a visible and sensory murals. The packaging options an authentic hand-painted piece by famend Texas artist Marc Burckhardt, whose whimsical but grounded fashion fantastically pays tribute to Texas’ panorama and plain distinctive terroir. On the coronary heart of his art work stands the Summer season Tanager hen – Nonetheless Austin’s iconic image of creativity discovered on every flagship bottle label – seen basking within the solar, a good looking complement to the murals discovered contained in the bottle. [And don’t miss the nest filled with eggs on top of the stopper. -Ed.]
“Tanager is the epitome of our dedication to Texas, our heritage, and our dedication to creating glorious Texas whiskeys,” stated Chris Seals, Co-Founder and CEO of Nonetheless Austin. “Each bottle of Tanager tells a narrative of endurance, artistry, and the spirit of Texas. From its Texas-grown components to its wealthy taste, Tanager is a fearlessly distinctive whiskey that embodies all the pieces we stand for at Nonetheless Austin.”
This whiskey is reportedly already powerful to search out. so we have been excited to obtain a bottle for evaluate. Let’s unfold our wings — I’ve tanagers in my very own Austin yard — and provides it a whirl.
To kick issues off, there’s a sure Texasness to this whiskey that you simply typically discover round these components — however which Nonetheless Austin has fastidiously sidestepped for essentially the most half. The nostril is woody in a approach that I don’t typically get from Nonetheless Austin, toasty with well-charred oak, however tempered by oxidized raisins, black tea, anise, and patchouli. Resting time is a big assist with this whiskey, and the longer the higher — serving to to tame the extra aggressive, scorching wooden notes and coaxing out a extra natural high quality. That stated, this can be a Texas Whiskey… capital T, capital W.
The palate has that very same burliness, although the aged raisin character is amped as much as 11. I may have simply been satisfied this was completed or aged solely in Pedro Ximenez casks, there’s a lot of an oxidized, austere, outdated wine character on show. The sherry factor is tempered nevertheless by notes of tobacco — a bit inexperienced — and moist leather-based. Makrut lime provides a citrusy high quality, and a swirl of bittersweet chocolate provides a light-weight contact of much-needed sweetness. Once more, the wooden vibes are robust with this one, and resting time in glass rewards the drinker with a extra rounded, tempered expertise. Even after an hour of sipping on this, it stays peppery and vibrant on the end. A dropper or two of water is a stellar thought. The hen would agree, I believe.
106 proof.
A- / $149 / stillaustin.com
Nonetheless Austin Tanager Cigar Mix Bourbon 2024
$149
