Rising Stars: Meet Jared Himstedt

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jared Himstedt.

Hi Jared, so excited to have you on the platform. So, before we get into questions about your work life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today.

• My journey to Balcones began with a passion for art; I studied ceramics and social work in college, and always figured I’d go back to school to teach college-level ceramics, but I got sidetracked with other work, music, and homebrewing beer. My experience homebrewing beer is where I learned the art of distilling and really developed a love and respect of whisky. . Getting involved in the making of something I connect with seemed like the obvious next step.
• I now serve as the Head Distiller at Balcones Distilling, overseeing everything from label design to barrel selection since the distillery’s inception. Balcones was born as a passion project, and this same passion still remains true today.
• As the original Texas whisky (first Texas whisky released post-prohibition, in 2009), we are helping co-create a new landscape for whisky by combining centuries of distilling tradition with the unique conditions and flavors of Texas.
• Our whiskies are born of the free-thinking originality and character that reflect the fullness of the people who make it, our  Balcones team, and the place it’s made from, proudly Waco, Texas. At Balcones, we see whisky as an art form, a delicate dance between science and soulful expression, constantly exploring and learning, with no ‘finish line’ in sight. We are comfortable with difference and contradiction, sparking the creative possibility in everyone.

We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?

• Balcones’ path has been marked by challenges, as is typical for any pioneering brand, yet the distillery consistently grows and evolves, always learning and adapting to new challenges, a testament to our dedicated team.
• The learning curve has been steep and sometimes painful as the organization changes. For a group of makers who aren’t traditional businesspeople, it’s all headed for a goal we deeply believe in.
•  Each challenge has served as an opportunity for growth, ultimately contributing to the creation of more premium blends with greater expressive flavors.
• Anyone familiar with whisky from Texas would understand how easy it is to over-oak, but there is an intensity to the climate that can create a density and condensed level of flavor within a small package.
• A pivotal moment came when we realized the need to refocus on our highest priority, ensuring our goals aligned with the core purpose in crafting exceptional single malt whiskies.
• We recently marked our 15th Anniversary with the release of Cataleja American Single Malt. This expression showcases the meticulous approach taken at every stage of distillation, making it one of our most complex and nuanced whiskies we’ve ever released. As one of the most complex and unique whiskies in our portfolio, it exemplifies what American Single Malt can and should be and the kind of work we do here at Balcones.
• We also recently launched a new whisky inspired by the extraordinary phenomenon of the solar eclipse this year: Mirador Eclipse American Single Malt. This limited edition release is a testament to the artistic whisky-making approach of Balcones and represents the latest experimentation in our distillery’s continued innovative approach to whisky making.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?

• We craft bold, pioneering whiskies – born of free-thinking originality and character – that reflect the fullness of the people who make it and the place it’s from.
• We are at the forefront of the whisky revolution in Texas, and we take this responsibility seriously. We are deeply dedicated to exploring every corner of the craft, taking lessons from those who have come before us as tools on our journey of exploration, and committed to doing things the Balcones way – creating expansive, expressive flavors with our unique stamp every day and proudly working out what it means to make Single Malt in the uniquely volatile climate of this place we call home.
• In the category of American Single Malts, we hope to bring a deep commitment to making American Single Malts the way Texas demands, following the uniquely expressive flavors that emerge from crafting whisky in this place.
• And when it comes to American-style whiskies, we bring an experimental, expansive, and nuanced take on iconic American-style and grain whiskies to add a distinctive Texas character to the most established US whisky styles.
• Our distillation process, including the use of a double-batch pot distillation system and custom-built pot stills from Forsyths in Scotland, highlights our dedication to craftsmanship and innovation. This, coupled with our approach to barrel aging and the unique climate of Texas, sets us apart in the world of whisky production.
•  Having a part to play in the humble beginnings of both Texas Whisky as well as the emergence of American Single Malt on the global stage. To participate in co-creating whisky in a new and blossoming region and helping establish a significant new category of American Whisky has been humbling and a true honor.

Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?

• Every community centered around a discipline or tradition has its own personality and little unique corners waiting to be discovered. The whisky community is an inclusive and collaborative bunch overall, and we have found from the beginning that asking questions and seeking advice was always welcome and reciprocated. Over the years, our perspective has expanded a bit, and I place a high value on the difficult work of truly getting to know yourself, following what ignites you, makes you curious, and challenges hard parts of yourself. There is usually gold hiding behind places we don’t always look. And lastly, get to know the place you live and work. Begin an inquisitive and reverent conversation with where and when you are, and let the interplay between what lights you up and the spirit of your place be a guide to finding meaningful work.
• I reflect on my own experiences, recalling conversations with renowned figures in the distilling industry who often admitted uncertainty about certain aspects. Every answer in the field often leads to more questions, which in a weird way seems appropriate. It seems like it wants to be known but isn’t ever completely knowable. That excites me.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.balconesdistilling.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/balconesdistilling/

Image Credits
Balcones Distilling