Balcones Distilling
Driven by a passion to create something original and authentic, Balcones Distilling marries centuries of distilling tradition with the bold flavors of Texas. Balcones is synonymous with quality and innovation in the whisky industry, known for emphasizing high-quality ingredients and drawing influences from all over Texas.
To date, the distillery has earned over 350 national and international tasting awards and accolades for its whiskies and spirits. Balcones is currently available in over 40 states and is one of the fastest-growing whisky brands in the country.
Balcones distills all of its beloved spirits inside the historic Texas Fireproof Storage Company building in downtown Waco. At the heart of the distillery are four copper pot stills built by Forsyths, considered some of the best artisans in Scotland.
Guests can now visit and tour the facility, with tastings and events held regularly, and see why Balcones is always Distilled to Appreciate.
Ironroot Republic Distillery
In 2011, the Likarish brothers took a leap of faith. Robert was wrapping up his law degree and Jonathan was working as a biomedical engineer when they decided to throw caution to the wind and pursue distilling.
Over the next several years, they traveled the country interning under the best minds in the industry until they decided to put down distilling roots in Denison, TX.
The name Ironroot Republic pays tribute to viticulturist and Denison native T.V. Munson’s hardy “iron” roots that helped save the French wine industry from total destruction. Munson’s efforts resulted in Denison and Cognac ultimately becoming sister cities.
The brothers found inspiration in adapting the French distilling techniques, especially the process of elévage, to tame the intense climate of Texas rather than imitate traditional flavor profiles.
The distillery finally opened in 2014 to much local fanfare. When the brothers realized they needed someone to help manage the business (and them), their mother Marcia — aka the Mother of Texas Whiskey — joined the staff.
The Likarishes mash, ferment, distill, barrel-age, and bottle on-site in Denison. The spirits are made using high-quality heirloom and non-GMO corn from local farms to capture the authentic flavor of north Texas.
Lone Elm Whiskey
Five Points Distilling is a grain to glass working distillery about 25 miles east of Dallas in Forney, Tx. Their whiskey, Lone Elm Whiskey, is a bit different than others on the trail as they are a straight WHEAT whiskey.
Their mash bill is 90% Texas red winter wheat and 10% malted barley. They use collected Texas rainwater that has been UV protected and RO treated.
When they started in 2012, there was a shortage of traditional 53-gallon barrels so they went with 15-gallon barrels and used a fast-aging process for maturation.
They are off the beaten path and sit on 10 acres with a wrap-around lake.