Today, we are drinking a Texas-based Bourbon, Still Austin, distilled by Still Austin, in, you guessed it, Austin, Texas. As it has often been these last few years, this is another Bourbon we had not heard of before we got this bottle on somebody’s recommendation. There seem to be dozens of new Bourbon releases every month. There was a time, 6-7 years ago, when we would go to a liquor store and try and find something we had not tasted. Those days are gone. Now there might be upward of 100 bottles we have not tried. Anyway, enough of the rambling. This particular expression from Still Austin is called The Musician. From their website, ” When a musician combines chords, rhythms, and harmonies, the result taps into something deep inside us. Music has the ability to bring us all closer together—to make us feel more free and alive. So does great whiskey. This is more than just distilled corn, rye, and barley. This is music in a bottle.” Pretty heady stuff.
We are not sure how easy it is to find Still Austin, The Musician. It is 98.4 proof, aged at least 2 years, sells for $50, and comes in a standard-looking corked bottle. The label is somewhat cool and reminds us of an album cover. You know, when we had album covers instead of, never mind, no rambling. The mash bill consists of 75% white corn, 25% rye, and 5% malted barley.
Their website talks about how the sweet corn is balanced out by the high rye mash bill. We don’t know the literal measure, but 25% rye doesn’t sound like a high rye mash bill. We both were not sure if we had ever tasted a Texas-made Bourbon, so this might be our first.
NOSE
Todd: Getting the traditional Bourbon aromas of caramel, vanilla, wood (maybe pine), and corn. lesser scents include grain, butterscotch, and maybe bubble gum? Ice brought out some rye, you know, from the high rye mash bill.
Matt: Fresh and sweet, like a pasty made with brown sugar and walnuts. Also get some corn and a touch of mint. Ice didn’t change anything.
TASTE
Todd: A little hot neat and that makes it hard to taste anything but sweetness, spice, and some wood (again, maybe pine). Ice makes it more approachable with more depth, not quite as sweet, and brings out the rye.
Matt: Different from the nose with leather, pepper, wood, and rye. secondary flavors include tobacco and anise. Ice brings out some caramel and more rye.
FINISH
Todd: Medium with more heat and sweetness.
Matt: Medium with more of the same mentioned above.
OVERALL
Todd: A decent juice at a decent price. Would like to know what it would taste like with a little more aging.
Matt: I like it, it has a unique flavor. Not sure if I would always keep it on my shelf, but I would buy it every now and then for something different.
Nose 3.75 out of 5
Taste 6.75 out of 10
Finish 3.25 out of 5
Total score 13.75 out of 20 barrels.
The Musician, from Still Austin, does not have great depth or complexity, but that is to be expected from such a young Bourbon. It does have a unique sweet but just ever so spicey taste. And we do appreciate Bourbons that are slightly different tasting.
Final verdict, $50 is probably a bit too high to pay for a 2 year old whiskey that lacks complexity. But $50 is also not a budget buster, so maybe give The Musician a try, might be music to your ears.