I can still remember Van Halen’s “Right Now” accompanying a series of Crystal Pepsi commercials featuring soda bottles filled with clear carbonated liquid in the early 90s. This fad, which lasted until 1994, was supposed to be a healthier, less sweet alternative to the regular formula many traditional colas consisted of. However, after less than two years on the market, this clear cola alternative didn’t gauge well with consumers, who already had a penchant for Pepsi’s caramel color and sundry of ingredients that give most regular colas its flavor.
I was reminded of this after seeing an image of TX Whiskey’s latest expression, Unaged White Dog. This ninth expression in this local distillery’s Experimental series, features such offerings as TX Experimental Rye, TX High Rye Texas Straight Bourbon, and TX Blended Straight Bourbon to name a few. What sets Unaged White Dog apart from any other whiskey I’d ever seen was its lack of caramel color. I mean, this new whiskey offering looks like pure tap water, which as I mentioned earlier reminded me of Crystal Pepsi.
This 120-proof expression made from grain locally sourced from Sawyer Farms, is blended with TX Whiskey’s wheated bourbon mash bill, which showcases the initial steps in the whiskey making process. Unaged White Dog, as the name suggests, highlights what an unaged bourbon looks and tastes like right after the distillation process. The taste of this unaged whiskey has been described to have floral notes, summer fruits and cornbread on the nose; warm spice and sweet cream corn on the palate; and a warm, sweet finish.
To celebrate the launch of this whiskey expression, TX Whiskey is hosting a celebration at the TX Whiskey Ranch on Friday, June 14th with a special VIP entry starting at 5 p.m. VIPs will have a chance to “Meet the Maker” along with a special tasting and bottle signing. General admission begins at 6 p.m.
“Unaged White Dog is quite unique because the barrel has zero impact on the flavor and color, leaving the spirit crystal clear to showcase the grains, yeast, fermentation and distillation,” says head distiller, Evan Brewer. “The sweetness of the 100% Texas corn, wheat and malt shines through, and the lack of wood, oak and smoke allows the fruitiness, formed during fermentation and enhanced during distillation, to really be prominent.”
On the flipside, La Pulga, a one-year-old Tequila company founded by three local entrepreneurs who produce a product bottled in Mexico, just announced its release of a new ultra- premium mezcal, La Pulga Mezcal.
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This new spirit, crafted in the rugged landscape of San Luis Potosi, Mexico from 100% wild harvested Salmiana Agave, is said to have the aroma of green chili, citrus, and green olives/brine. Just like Unaged White Dog, this mezcal is titled “joven,” since it too, is made from an unaged source, this time mezcal.
Last year, La Pulga, which took its name from the outdoor market the “Pulga” on University Drive located on the Northside of town, kicked off with two offerings, a Blanco and a Reposado. Soon La Pulga added an Añejo to is roster, which are all available at bars, restaurants, and fine spirit retailers throughout the DFW area. Just in case you can’t find a bottle, let your fingers do the walking and order a bottle from the La Pulga website.
La Pulga was founded by local restaurateur Sarah Castillo (Taco Heads, Tinies Mexican Cuisine, Sidesaddle Saloon), Andrew De La Torre, a club owner and the operator of the Pulga market, and Stephen Slaughter, a local entrepreneur and real estate developer.
“Our mission – and our passion – at La Pulga is to handcraft the very best, most unique spirits of their kind. That’s what we did with our La Pulga tequilas, and now with our extraordinary new mezcal,” Castillo says. “Unlike mezcals produced in Oaxaca, typically from the Espadín variety of agave, La Pulga Mezcal is distilled from Salmiana Agave which creates a complex, yet very approachable taste profile not typically found in mezcal. This is not your usual smoky mezcal!”
