We're Back With TWO New Still Austin Single Barrels

It's hard to believe the last time we were in Austin picking single barrels was 2 years ago, but from the conversations we had while there the Texas distillery has only continued to grow and grow and grow. From releases like their Bottled-in-Bond Series Red Corn and Blue Corn to Tanager, it has become increasingly difficult to keep their whiskey in stock, if we’re even lucky enough to get an allocation in the first place.

This trip gave us a chance to see a little more of what that growth actually looks like. We headed out to Still Austin’s warehouse facility and got a much better sense of the scale of what they’re laying down for the future. And, of course, we spent plenty of time digging through barrels for our next round of single barrels, with a couple of familiar faces joining the selection process: Mike Yates and Bandit Gray.

We say it often, but Still Austin is producing some of our favorite whiskey right now, not just some of our favorite craft whiskey. Everything is distilled in Austin using Texas-grown grain, but a huge part of what has separated them from the broader conversation around Texas whiskey is how they approach maturation. Working with legendary whiskey blender Nancy Fraley, Still Austin has focused heavily on barrel management and slow proofing to harness the intensity of the Texas climate without letting oak and heat completely take over the whiskey.

That was especially true with this round. It was almost a Freaky Friday moment between our final bourbon and rye selections. The rye, made from 100% Brasetto rye, showed so much richness and mature oak that it drank closer to a bourbon, or a rye twice it's age. Meanwhile the bourbon, using Still Austin’s standard 70% white corn, 25% rye, and 5% malted barley recipe, leaned into these juicy, bright lemon-lime notes that we’ve more often found in a certain subsection of ryes lately.

Still Austin Single Barrel Rye 116.43 proof

The nose is rich and mature with maple syrup, smoked caramel, and sweet oak, with just a touch of rye spice underneath.

The palate is dense and surprisingly bourbon-like, with dark berries, maple sweetness, caramel, and deeply seasoned oak. There’s plenty of maturity here, with the rye spice playing more of a supporting role.

The finish is long and warming with lingering dark fruit, maple, toasted spice, fruit-infused dark chocolate, and sweet mature oak.

Still Austin Single Barrel Bourbon 115.92 proof

The nose opens with strawberries and cream, followed by lemon-lime citrus, vanilla, and a touch of spice. There’s a slight bite underneath, balanced by clean, sugary sweet oak.

The palate is super juicy, with strawberry candy, Trix cereal, cream soda, and bright citrus. A soft caramel sweetness builds underneath before moving into clean, sweet oak.

The finish stays bright and sweet with lingering berry fruit, citrus, vanilla, and a touch of warming spice over softly seasoned oak.