Garrison Brothers Balmorhea Texas Straight Bourbon

Score: 17/23 There's been a lot of buzz surrounding Garrison Brothers Balmorhea. Its medal even proclaims that the 2019 release was chosen as Jim Murray's American micro whisky of the year, and the 2020 release earned the same honor plus a double gold at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition. I purchased this bottle over a year ago and have held off opening it, eager to discover the reason for all the attention. My 1200th tasting on this platform seems as good an occasion as any, so here it goes. Nose: It's rich and substantial. While I've heard it called dessert in a bottle, I'm not getting that. It's heavily oak-forward, with a more bitter and oily variation of the typical Garrison Brothers sawdust profile, almost as if a bit of motor oil was included this time. Deeper investigation reveals some chocolate and perhaps a hint of orange zest. There's a slight tartness present. Maybe a bit of black licorice with a touch of salt. That's mostly what I'm detecting. It lacks the sweetness I anticipated. Palate: Very rich with a decadent fullness. Polished wood and leather combine. There's a tartness, not quite orange oil, that reminds me of sour mash, which is puzzling as this is a sweet mash. Definitely some cinnamon and black pepper are present. A subtle touch of ginger and allspice. It begins with notes of maple, chocolate, and molasses, but these quickly give way to more bitter and austere flavors. I appreciate leather and polished wood, but I truly desired those sweet notes to be more prominent. The tannins are quite noticeable but not overly harsh. There's some vanilla, though not abundant. This might be somewhat dependent on the palate. Don't underestimate the vanilla too much. I'm undecided on whether I'd prefer more vanilla or if I'm glad a floral vanilla isn't making it taste lighter. This is challenging to analyze. It walks the line between wonderfully aged with rich wood and simply over-oaked. There's enough going on that I won't call it dull, but it's not exceedingly complex, and the wood has a bitterness reminiscent of over-steeped tea. Finish: The over-steeped tea tannins persist with spices and occasional hints of vanilla and chocolate. The finish is long; the over-steeped tea eventually reverts to something more akin to leather and a bit of polished wood, which is a welcome change. - Conclusion - If I seem critical of this whiskey, it's not because it's poor quality: it's because it has been (a) excessively hyped and (b) often described with a flavor profile quite different from my experience. There's just enough sweetness for me to find this intriguing rather than simply over-oaked. That's significant. For me, that distinction separates my cask strength Garrison Brothers Single Barrel (needs re-review) tasting somewhat like over-oaked sawdust similar to Kings County Straight Bourbon and Kings County Barrel Strength Straight Bourbon (both 13/23), from tasting like sawdust with chocolate. When compared directly, my George Dickel 15 Single Barrel (15/23) tastes more over-oaked than this expression does - though not by its usual margin against other bourbons. This actually highlights characteristics in the George Dickel that I don't typically notice. While this is certainly the superior drink, the difference isn't as substantial as I'd anticipated. Similarly, although this is also the fuller drink, it's not the 9.4% ABV fuller I expected, considering it's a Texas bourbon and Dickel usually tastes lower proof due to its distinct flavor. It's worth noting that despite the noticeable spice and relatively high proof, this is not harsh at all. My bottle of Garrison Brothers Single Barrel (cask strength) is noticeably harsher, and I don't find that one particularly harsh. The natural next comparison is my bottle of Resilient 15 (18/23), which is essentially a well-chosen 15-year Dickel pick. This still presents as fuller, but it's also more tannic. The Resilient is sweeter. That said, the leather and polished wood notes here are quite pleasant. Actually, I believe there's more sweetness in this one, but it's contending with a significant amount of wood. This bottle of Garrison Brothers Single Barrel (cask strength) is much lighter and less full. It's sweeter, but in a simple sugary manner. Barely even light caramel, if that. It has much more minerality. I'm genuinely surprised by how much more flavor this contains and its fuller mouthfeel - even at a lower proof. Side-by-side, this is the clear winner with its considerably greater richness and fullness. However, this is quite late in the tasting, so my perception might change with a fresh palate. Joseph Magnus (21/23) isn't as full-bodied as this, but it's equally rich and far more elegant, sophisticated, and complex. Joseph Magnus truly captures the leather note exceptionally well, unlike this offering (though this does lean more towards polished wood). The significant issue here is that this hits much harder with its tannins. When comparing these two directly, this one appears over-oaked. Jack Daniel's Single Barrel Barrel Proof (21/23) is considerably sweeter and excels with its dessert-like decadence. I somewhat expected this to be in the same sweetness range as the Jack Daniel's, but it's far from it. This isn't as fiery as the Jack Daniel's, although it is also 8% lower in proof. This genuinely seems to be searching for its identity and has encountered some missteps. At $145, I could nearly afford a bottle of Glenfarclas 25 instead. Or I could just barely purchase a bottle of Joseph Magnus and a bottle of Jack Daniel's Single Barrel Barrel Proof. While I do enjoy this, the value is certainly not apparent. Unfortunately, I continue to appreciate Garrison Brothers products but find their pricing to be roughly double their actual worth. Although there's much to like here, I'm left with the impression that with $145 to spend, I could blend and rapidly age a superior bottle. So, I have a 15-year-old that I am confident this surpasses, and a couple of 21-year-olds that I truly believe this cannot match. That difference seems substantial enough to lower this score below a 20. Therefore, it falls between a 16 and 19. I'm wavering between a 17 and 18, but leaning towards the 17. Comparing it to Wild Turkey Rare Breed (18-19/23), that one seems surprisingly smooth, with its alcohol bite masked by the intensity of these high-proof bourbons. This doesn't seem drastically different, though. This is certainly more tannic, but it has less of an alcohol burn. Choosing between them is certainly a puzzle. 1792 Full Proof (a low 19/23) is much more dessert-like than this. Booker's Shiny Barrel (19/23) might be more complex, but it tastes lighter with a more noticeable youthful alcohol presence. Russell's Reserve Single Barrel (likely not as high as a 21/23) exemplifies something that may not be as full-bodied but is more complex and balanced, and at least as mature. Now, I won't be surprised if my palate adjusts to this over the course of the bottle, but for now, I'm not particularly impressed. Alright, after numbing my tongue from a significant amount of tannins and alcohol after numerous sips of various bold bourbons, I am detecting the candy-like sweetness emerging. It's not purely decadent, but it is quite pleasant! However, this also reminds me of tasting almost any bourbon after trying Ry3: it had a rich flavor I wanted to explore further, but that was only achievable with a heavily dulled palate. And it's likely even worse here. For amusement, a final side-by-side with Corsair Hydra (20/23). Incredible! The Corsair completely outshines this! It pains me to admit it, but I've tasted spirits in the 20 and 21 range that this was far from. Those in the lower ranges didn't seem so distant. If I had to choose right now, I'd give this a 17. I'm not dismissing this, regardless of the score, but a premium spirit should perform better than this. George Dickel Bottled In Bond (16/23) is not far off from this in terms of richness or body. As a complete experience, the two are comparable. This certainly surpasses my George Dickel Single Barrel 15 (15/23), but I had already determined it wasn't a 15. I now find myself in the unfortunate position of reconsidering a 16 for this. I had been leaning towards a 17 or 18. Wild Turkey Rare Breed 116.8 (18-19/23) exhibits more alcohol and is less full-bodied, but it remains quite rich and possesses some enjoyable nuance. It has that lighter Wild Turkey character, but also substantial maturity and well-balanced flavors - once you get past the alcohol burn. This simply lacks the same nuance, although it is fuller. I can see this being an 18. Old Forester 1920 (18/23) definitely has more heat than this. Its banana sweetness is appealing, but it comes across as younger and harsher. It offers more spices and slightly more distinct flavor, but honestly, not by much. I thought the dessert notes of the Old Forester would decisively outperform this, similar to how 1792 Full Proof did, but this is actually quite close. I can see this being an 18 now. This expression really emphasizes the peanut and medicinal notes of Booker's Shiny Barrel (19/23). The Booker's still seems a bit unrefined, but it's more engaging. The complexity here isn't on the same level, but the Booker's isn't completely overshadowing this. After all this consideration, the only logical conclusion is a 17. Such bitter disappointment for such a celebrated dram - both figuratively and literally on the palate. Garrison Brothers shows great promise, but this is undeniably over-oaked. So, if you essentially burn off your tastebuds, you might discover that the excessive oak fades, revealing richness with some sweetness and dark chocolate. That's a genuine experience that is enjoyable and I can appreciate, but it's not what I would consider representative. I might score this an 18 on a subsequent tasting, but for now, I acknowledge the flaws I've encountered and am sticking with a 17. A subtle hint of peanut even appears in the Wild Turkey Rare Breed when tasted side-by-side, which isn't a good indicator for the richness of this dram. I can envision a low 18 here, but that's likely the highest I would go. 1792 Full Proof (19/23) is still definitively superior to this. I've deliberated over this one extensively, and at this point, I must conclude it falls short of an 18. There's much to appreciate here, and it's an excellent choice for those seeking a heavily woody profile, but it remains slightly over-oaked. Most unfortunate. It's a 17. I'll keep my fingers crossed that time and air improve it. On a fatigued palate, however, this does indeed start tasting significantly better. That's a valuable point to remember when deciding when to pour this. The bold flavors, smoothness, and underwhelming complexity do make it work well as an end-of-the-evening drink.

This 2021 bottling, opened for over a year, is likely my oldest bottle. Bottle number 20,399. Nose: Sweet aroma with notes of caramel-coated kettle corn, fresh sweet corn, oak with a woody earthiness, stone fruit, ethanol, vanilla, toasted nuts, a hint of old books, and a touch of citrus. Palate: Sweet corn, sharp oak tannins, more of that woody, almost sawdust-like earthiness, brown sugar, a hint of vanilla, burnt nuts, the old book note reappears as dusty paper, caramel when aerated, with subtler hints of cinnamon and other baking spices. Finish: Salty, sweet, vanilla, caramel, more tannins now on the tongue, earthy medicinal notes, burnt corn, lightly cooked brown sugar, a trace of ethanol, and very minimal warmth. I'm aware of the strong following for this and Cowboy. However, to me, they both represent very specific tastes. Those who enjoy them, likely do so immensely. For those who don't, they are perceived as excessively priced. I fall into the latter category. This comes across as over-oaked to my palate. Furthermore, that commonly noted GB earthiness doesn't appeal to me. I would prefer its absence. I anticipate my review of Cowboy will be similar. I might reconsider this in several years as palates can evolve, but at present, the value proposition is insufficient for me. I do appreciate the narrative – four years in Ozarks oak, followed by another year in Minnesota oak. As a native of Minnesota, I genuinely want to enjoy this, but the overwhelming impression is tannin. While acceptable in moderation, it shouldn't be the dominant characteristic, especially at the typical $160 price point (though I acquired it for less). For that amount, numerous other options would be more appealing. Join an unofficial community for discussions on spirits and more, offering real-time chat, recommendations, deal discovery, and shared enjoyment. If the link expires, please request a new one.

Garrison has finally arrived in Michigan. A store pick I sampled was decent but didn't convert me to the brand. However, based on excellent reviews for the flagship Cowboy and this one, I decided to revisit the distillery's offerings. I approach this dram with confidence that fellow bourbon enthusiasts have provided reliable guidance. Before diving into the aroma, the color of this pour is a stunning dark amber. I hope the taste matches its appearance. The nose is remarkable. I'm not exaggerating. It's a blend of rich caramels and a hint of butterscotch, all elegantly tied together with oak. The initial sip is potent, as expected from the proof. I detect distinct notes of brown sugar and molasses. This one announces its presence upfront, showing signs of double aging with subtle charred edges. As I continue to sip, maple and walnut flavors emerge and blend. The heat builds mid-sip as heavy cinnamon, eventually mellowing into a rounded sweetness. I'm pleased I followed good counsel and took a chance on this rather expensive dram. While I understand it might not appeal to everyone, it's an incredible explosion of flavor. This bottle, and its contents, are anything but subtle. I definitely endorse it, but the $170 price tag will likely steer most consumers toward less expensive options. If your budget allows, acquiring it is highly recommended if you encounter it.

YEAR // 2023 NEAT NOSE - Astonishing! Tobacco, Oak, and Leather are all present, accompanied by notes of dark brown sugar and intensely thick maple syrup! The aroma is both sweet and remarkably bold. PALATE - All the aromas are present in the taste, with each distinct note becoming more prominent with every sip. A surprising note of fig newton is also detected in the middle and towards the end. The taste is truly astonishing. One might expect this to be overoaked, given it's a 5-year Texas double-oaked bourbon, but it is exceptionally smooth, rich, and sweet. It's among the most distinctive double-oaked whiskeys I've encountered. Furthermore, the mouthfeel is thick and viscous! FINISH - I believe I could still taste this bourbon after a full night's sleep. BUY? - While it comes at a cost, I genuinely feel it's worthwhile. Fortunately, my preferred liquor establishment had this on sale for $170 (still a significant price). BUY AGAIN? - To be honest, I would likely purchase this annually if possible; I enjoy it that much. I'm unsure how exceptional a whiskey must be for me to award it 5 stars, but I will say that if this were priced around $80-$100, it would undoubtedly be a 5-star selection for me.

Various bottles from Garrison Bros have recently started appearing in local shops. This particular one caught my attention, so I decided to purchase it. After a second tasting a week later, I must admit I am very impressed. The slightly spicy nose had a lovely aroma of wood, leather, brown sugar, and chocolate. The wood element carried over nicely into the tasting notes, along with an interesting blend of red hot candies, corn, cocoa, and the aforementioned leather. There was a touch of ethanol heat initially, which mellowed into a comfortable warmth that lasted throughout. The finish was quite enduring and oily, which I appreciated. I am certainly a fan of this Texas brown spirit. I anticipate seeing what else they offer. For the present, I will savor this fine selection.

Release date 2021c bottle 38413. Sampled neat, thanks to a friend for acquiring a bottle for me. It has a very dark amber/copper color. On the nose, I detect notes of toast, burnt marshmallows, caramel, vanilla, tobacco, and dark cherries. The palate is smooth with a warm finish, featuring notes of Creme Brulé, tobacco, toffee, and hickory bacon. Remarkable! Adding a piece of ice truly enhances it, revealing notes of fruits like figs, cherries, and dates. This creates a perfectly balanced, rich bourbon. Side note: I had not tried any other Garrison Brothers products because I heard they were all poor quality. My friend said this was amazing, and he was correct; this stuff is delicious.