Still Austin Cask Strength 750ML is a barrel-proof Texas straight bourbon whiskey bottled at approximately 59% ABV (118 proof) in a 750ml format. A back-to-back Double Gold winner at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition in 2022 and 2023, this expression represents the uncut, unfiltered heart of Still Austin's grain-to-glass program.Quick Facts: ABV: ~59% (118 proof, varies by batch) | Origin: Austin, Texas, USA | Cask Strength Straight Bourbon | Distillery: Still Austin Whiskey Co.Production & HeritageStill Austin Whiskey Co. operates out of Austin, Texas, handling every step of production—from milling to bottling—on-site using exclusively Texas-grown grains. The mashbill runs 70% white corn, 25% rye, and 5% malted barley, yielding a bourbon with pronounced spice character alongside its corn-driven sweetness. What truly distinguishes this cask strength release is an aging technique called slow water reduction, or élevage, borrowed from the brandy houses of Cognac and Armagnac. Brought to the distillery by Master Blender Nancy Fraley, who studied for years in those French regions, the process involves adding carefully measured small amounts of water to aging barrels over several months. This reduces harsh phenolic compounds while coaxing more soluble sugars from the oak, resulting in a barrel-proof bourbon with unusual balance and complexity for its strength.Tasting NotesAroma: Citrus leaps from the glass first—blood orange and tangerine—before giving way to assertive oak spice, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Beneath the bright top notes, deeper layers of brown sugar and dried fruit emerge as the bourbon opens up.Taste: The palate shifts darker than the nose suggests, leading with dense caramel, vanilla butter, and roasted coffee. Mid-palate brings heavy char, spiced cocoa, and black pepper, while the rye's influence pushes through with raisin and earthy undertones. At full proof, the texture is thick and coating without becoming harsh—a testament to the élevage process.Finish: Surprisingly long and sweet for a cask strength bourbon, lingering with marmalade, cocoa, brown sugar, and toasted oak. The spice recedes gradually, leaving a warm, clean close.How to Drink Still Austin Cask StrengthNeat with a few drops of water is the ideal starting point; the élevage process has already done much of the work of taming the barrel proof, and even small additions of water unlock additional sweetness and citrus brightness. A large ice cube also works well, slowly opening the bourbon as it dilutes. Old Fashioned: The dense caramel and cocoa notes anchor the cocktail, standing up to bitters without losing structure at barrel proof. Boulevardier: The high rye content and dark spice profile pair naturally with Campari's bitterness and sweet vermouth's herbal complexity. Whiskey Sour: The bright citrus character on the nose translates beautifully alongside fresh lemon, and the high ABV maintains flavor presence through dilution. Best For Bourbon enthusiasts exploring the Texas craft whiskey scene Barrel-proof fans seeking something outside the Kentucky mainstream Gifting to a whiskey collector who values grain-to-glass provenance Building cocktails that demand a high-proof, flavor-forward base spirit Frequently Asked QuestionsWhat does Still Austin Cask Strength taste like? It delivers dense, dark caramel and roasted coffee up front, followed by spiced cocoa, black pepper, and brown sugar, with a long marmalade-and-oak finish. The 70/25/5 corn-rye-barley mashbill gives it noticeable spice alongside the corn-driven sweetness.How does Still Austin Cask Strength compare to Four Roses Small Batch Select? Both occupy a similar price tier and appeal to drinkers who value complex, spice-forward bourbon. Still Austin Cask Strength runs spicier overall, with heavier char and cocoa notes, while Four Roses Small Batch Select leans more floral and fruit-forward thanks to its blend of multiple yeast strain recipes.Is Still Austin Cask Strength good for sipping neat? Yes—despite the approximately 118-proof strength, the élevage slow water reduction process conducted during aging gives it atypical balance for a cask strength bourbon, making it approachable neat with just a few drops of water.Where is Still Austin Cask Strength made? It is distilled, aged, and bottled at Still Austin Whiskey Co. in Austin, Texas. The distillery sources all of its grains from Texas farms, maintaining a true grain-to-glass production chain within the state.What foods pair well with Still Austin Cask Strength? Texas-style smoked brisket complements the heavy char and oak spice; dark chocolate truffles echo the cocoa and brown sugar notes; pecan pie mirrors the caramel sweetness; aged cheddar provides a savory contrast to the bourbon's richness; and citrus-glazed pork belly picks up on the blood orange aromatics.What sizes does Still Austin Cask Strength come in? The standard release is a 750ml bottle. Availability in other formats may vary by market.Is Still Austin Cask Strength worth the price? It positions as a premium craft bourbon, competing with established barrel-proof offerings from larger distilleries. The back-to-back Double Gold medals at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition and the unique élevage aging process provide strong justification within its price tier.Why Still Austin Cask Strength?Consecutive Double Gold medals at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition in 2022 and 2023 place this bourbon among the most decorated craft releases from Texas. The élevage technique—virtually unheard of in American whiskey production—gives the spirit a level of integration at barrel proof that most cask strength bourbons only achieve after significant dilution. Combined with a transparent grain-to-glass operation using all Texas-grown grains, this expression stands as serious evidence that the Texas bourbon category has matured well beyond novelty. For drinkers who want barrel proof with finesse rather than just firepower, this is one of the more compelling options available.
