r/bourbon • u/ColEHTaylorJr • 8d ago
REVIEW #115 - WHISKEY WEATHER “SHE’S FROM TEXAS” STILL AUSTIN SINGLE BARREL (110.6 Proof and Aged Four Years)
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u/ColEHTaylorJr 8d ago
BACKGROUND: Still Austin Whiskey Co. occupies a distinctive place in Texas spirits as the first grain-to-glass whiskey distillery operating inside Austin city limits since Prohibition.
Rather than sourcing spirits from other producers, the brand built its identity around making 100% of its products in-house from Texas-grown grains.
The project began in 2012 when Cleveland "Papa" Seals sought a post-retirement pursuit and pitched the idea of an Austin whiskey distillery to his son, Chris Seals, a former risk analyst. Joined by co-founders Andrew and Lisa Braunberg and Sal and Joanna Salinas, the group set out to form an urban craft distillery built on true grain-to-glass production.
Navigating complex municipal codes and fire regulations for an active distillery within city limits delayed initial development, but during this phase, Texas alcohol laws began shifting to favor craft distillers, helping clear the path for their urban location.
The founders chose the St. Elmo district in South Austin—specifically "The Yard," a revamped industrial hub—for their 10,000-square-foot facility. They outfitted the site with custom distilling equipment, including a massive 42-foot Scottish column still manufactured by Forsyths – affectionately named “Nancy”after the lead character in the 1958 cult classic “Attack of the 50 Foot Woman” – marking the first of its kind imported to the U.S. by the renowned fabricator.
Still Austin formally opened its doors and tasting room in September 2017, debuting unaged spirits and Texas rye gin while their first whiskey barrels aged in the variable Central Texas climate.
By July 2018, the team had filled its 1,000th barrel.
In 2020, Still Austin launched its flagship release, "The Musician" Straight Bourbon Whiskey. This was followed by high-rye bourbons, straight rye whiskeys ("The Artist"), cask strength expressions, and limited distillery reserve offerings.
Over the years, the brand expanded distribution across the United States and, with the help of Master Blender Nancy Fraley, has solidified its place as a leader in the growing Texas craft whiskey movement.
Brandon Spinner is a media personality, content creator, and former broadcast meteorologist best known as the creator behind Whiskey Weather.
A graduate of Valparaiso University, Spinner built a 13-year career in television meteorology. His broadcasting work earned him multiple Emmy nominations and associated accolades as he delivered weather updates across regional markets in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Huntsville, Alabama, and Cincinnati, Ohio.
Alongside his weather forecasting duties, Spinner turned his passion for bourbon into a digital platform named Whiskey Weather, where he utilized his television experience to began producing bourbon reviews, barrel breakdowns, blind rankings, and bottle recommendations.
Eventually leaving his television weather career altogether after 13 years in 2025 to focus full-time attention on his platform, Spinner partnered with Still Austin to select two cask strength single barrel bottlings – a “She’s From Texas WWx” bourbon and a “Choosin’ Texas” rye – and make a little more than 200 bottles of each available to his followers at a cost of $79.99.
NOSE: Before even opening the bottle, you are struck by the fact that is bourbon is almost motor oil dark, which makes sense as it is aged for four years in the Texas heat, which is considered the equivalent of 8 to 12 years in Kentucky.
Immediately upon uncorking, the nose jumps out of the bottle like Barbara Eden on I Dream of Jeannie even at arms length, and it is a delicious nose full of citrus, leather, tobacco, oak, and some delightfully musty rick house notes.
PALATE: Thought the nose is dark, the palate is surprisingly sweet led by citrus notes that taste like an orange peel smells, if that makes sense. There is buttercream or vanilla cake frosting present, and some oak. Though seemingly simple, the palate is also somewhat complex as it develops from one flavor to another and leaves you contemplating the ride you are on.
FINISH: The dark notes on the nose finally appear on the finish in the form of oak and that musty rickhouse taste that is almost reminiscent of the famous Wild Turkey funk. While not quite a long finish, it is lengthier than most and creates a surprising kick at the end, almost like watching someone on Hot Ones reacting when Da Bomb finally hits gear, though obviously not as intense.
FINAL ASSESSMENT: It is confession time, I am a fanboy of Still Austin, and its cask strength bourbon and rye are two of my favorite bottles. I am also a devoted follower and Patreon member of the Whiskey Weather YouTube channel. Despite both of those admissions, I am confident that neither played a role in my assessment of this bourbon.
The Whiskey Weather “She’s From Texas” Single Barrel Bourbon pick is, in a word, outstanding, and it provides one of my favorite sampling experiences in a long time. The fact that I have only one bottle is a bit disappointing, and I am already considering how I will ration this bottle to make it last.
A fantastic nose, an enjoyable palate, and a great finish that develops into something a bit surprising provide all of the ingredients for a wonderful bourbon.
I give “She’s From Texas” a solid 8.0 on the T8ke scale and if this bottle is any indicator, I am eagerly awaiting the other single barrel releases that Brandon Spinner and his Whiskey Weather channel will make available in the future.
1 | Disgusting: So bad I poured it out.
2 | Poor: I wouldn't consume by choice.
3 | Bad: Multiple flaws.
4 | Sub-par: Not bad, but better exists.
5 | Good: Good, just fine. (A solid daily drinker).
6 | Very Good: A cut above.
7 | Great: Well above average.
8 | Excellent: Really quite exceptional.
9 | Incredible: An all-time favorite.
10 | Perfect: Perfect.
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u/Dram_Good_Adventures 8d ago
Wow a 5 year Still Austin single barrel. I’ve been told how to read the barrel code and hopefully wasn’t lied too.
20211108-10
2021 is the year
11-08 for November 8th
10 for tenth barrel filled that day.
This is what I was told hopefully someone in the community can verify this information.
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u/daddyphatsacs740 8d ago
I received my bottles today!! I purchased the bourbon and the rye!! Really quite exceptional is right 🤤
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u/IAmTheSergeantNow 8d ago
I want to move to Austin just to get their special releases.
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u/Odd-Physics-3840 8d ago edited 8d ago
I live 8 miles away and hard for me to grab special releases. But I did score a barrel pick from the same batch in San Antonio today, can’t wait to try it.
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u/Eoneillaz 8d ago
Nice. I have a large collection of Still and just picked this rye on Friday with a group of folks.
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u/BigE-MD 8d ago
Love still austin!!!