Garrison brothers - texas bourbon

Welcome to Garrison Brothers, home of the first and oldest lega​l Whiskey distillery in Texas.

 Ever since we stumbled upon the Garrison Brothers website and the abundance of 5 star reviews that pepper the Internet, we have been planning how to get a bottle in to the bar. It wasn't an easy job, as this stuff isn't readily available, in these parts anyway. But, we are serious about Booze and finally, when an opportunity to buy a bottle presented itself in September last year, we didn't let it pass. Operation Duty Free was born.

A trip for two to New York City is a romantic affair, especially if it is for your significant others birthday, a milestone Birthday at that. Of course Mrs LiquorJunky will always believe that the entire trip was for her. I for one, in the spirit of self preservation, wont be ruining that illusion.

So after a financial commitment of several hundred quid and a flight of a few thousand miles across the pond (which we reported on last September) We found that even in the Big Apple, Garrison Brothers is scarce. ​It is one of only three US States on the distribution list, (although a distribution map on their website, shows 15). A move that immediately makes this Bourbon a sought after Liquor. Well, as you may have guessed, after a rocky start and a few days on the Manhattan tourist trail, we made it to our happy ending and finally found our bottle a few blocks south of Central Park, paying close to $100 for the pleasure.

Dan Garrison set up the Distillery in Hye, Texas. A small community of around 110 people, which sits 58 miles West of Austin, Texas. The eleven year old operation has grown quickly, in both product line and popularity, yet it maintains its craft status by producing only a few hundred barrels each year, proudly boasting that each one comes with its own distinct personality. That personality, amongst other things, is Ballsy! You wont hear too many commercial ventures stating that there product isn't meant for every day drinking and the price is set to reflect that! The Brothers of Hye, Texas clearly love what they do and are rightfully proud of their product. Creating Bourbon better than the last barrel means more to these guys than letting supply outstrip demand

We let our bottle get comfortable and acclimatise to its new surrounding before taking the plunge and unwrapping the seal. Our bottle numbered 32126 was distilled and Barreled in 2011 before being released in April 2014. We poured a small ice free measure and let it coat the glass. The Initial scent is strong and oaky musk, after a long awaited sip the caramel in this really came through, which lingered on the long deep finish

The organic ingredients make it feel like you are drinking the best booze for your body, along with the price level and marketing stance of not drinking this everyday​, enhance the experience before it even passes your lips. Although not available anywhere near this Island, Garrison Bros is allegedly more expensive per shot than any other whiskey. I will admit that 25% of this overall review gives a favourable slant from the fact it is so scarce in the UK. It travelled well from our cousins across the pond and once tasted it has made the top shelf in the Liquorjunky bar..