Garrison Brothers Cowboy Bourbon (2020 Release)

Following a challenging work period, I decided to open a bottle to commemorate the occasion. The name of this one brought to mind the remarkable endurance of the Pony Express riders, and the spirit felt like a comparable feat of stamina. Upon nosing, there's immediate polished wood, rich fudge, and some sawdust. Vanilla, sweet corn, and possibly a trace of smoke emerge, alongside tart mineral notes akin to cherry mixed with orange juice. Spices like cinnamon and black pepper are also present. The palate is big and bold, delivering considerable spiciness and an unexpected tartness with limestone minerality. As it develops, sweetness increases, bringing more rich fudge and vanilla blended with strong woodiness. Faint hints of cherry appear, but they're slightly off, reminiscent of a barleywine. Compared to a bottle of Garrison Brothers Balmorhea 2021, this offers richer flavor with less bitter funkiness and a fuller body. It presents more spices and leather, though the spices are intense and it carries heat, it's not unmanageably hot for its strength. A subtle chocolate note is present, though I wish there was more. Polished wood is also noticeable, but not excessively bitter. The finish is long with lingering wood and hints of polish and leather, alongside notes of tootsie roll. Spices are there, but not overly hot. It's a surprisingly mellow, yet rich and full, conclusion. My earlier disappointment with Garrison Brothers Balmorhea (rated 17/23) tempered my expectations, but this expression is an improvement. It leans more into spice and leather, and I appreciate its added sweetness. When compared to a nearly finished bottle of Elijah Craig A121 (rated 21/23), this is noticeably richer and fuller. It has a bit more burn, but it's not unreasonable. The wood presence is more pronounced, and perhaps there's more chocolate too, which is impressive given how chocolatey the Elijah Craig is. While the Elijah Craig is more complex and refined, this offers a big, bold decadence. The Elijah Craig executes its traditional profile better, but this introduces a delightful new character. I even detect a hint of tropical fruit, similar to what I find in Willett Rye 4 (rated 15/23). Jack Daniel's Single Barrel Barrel Proof (rated 21/23) matches this in boldness. The Jack Daniel's has a decadent green banana flavor with layers of complexity. It's sweet yet restrained, with surprising depth. This offers more spice, leather, and polished wood, but lacks the oily fullness of the Jack Daniel's. It also burns less. The mix of tootsie rolls and chocolate here is enjoyable and complements the woody notes. While the Jack Daniel's is hotter, its flavor is compelling. I believe this surpasses the Balmorhea and is comparable to the Elijah Craig A121 and Jack Daniel's Barrel Proof, placing it at least at a 19. I'm considering a 21 or 22, possibly even a 23, though it might lack sufficient complexity for the latter. Wild Turkey Rare Breed (rated 18-19/23, newer bottle leaning towards 18) has a pickle note contributing to its heat despite lower proof, along with funkiness and cherry. It's less full than this and has more alcohol flavor. This expression seems to be superior to the Wild Turkey, so it's definitely not below a 19. While not a perfect comparison, this spirit is to the Balmorhea as Laphroaig 10 (rated 17/23) is to Laphroaig Quarter Cask (rated 17/23). The former is more traditional and balanced, while the latter is less focused. I significantly prefer the former. The absence of complexity gives me pause in rating this. It has a big, bold, pleasing profile but lacks elegance and nuance. Both Elijah Craig A121 and Wild Turkey Rare Breed offer more depth. This is richer, fuller, and more decadent, though it tastes less mature than the Elijah Craig. It's not a 23. It burns less than the Jack Daniel's but lacks its nuanced palate. I'm confident this is at least a 20, and I'm ruling out a 23. I'm leaning towards the higher end of the range. While I detect less alcohol than in Elijah Craig A121, this is hotter, less balanced, and less complex. I'm still weighing this trade-off. I now think the Elijah Craig is slightly superior, but this still falls within the 21 to 22 range. The Elijah Craig's alcohol presence is only apparent when directly compared to this. However, this spirit's maturation is unusual, making standard comparisons difficult. I'm undecided between a 21 and a 22, but I'm currently leaning towards a 22. This is an excellent dram, and the only Garrison Brothers bottle I find potentially worth the price. In a final comparison with Elijah Craig, I'm leaning towards a 21 for this bottle rather than a 22. It's a difficult decision as both are excellent. I'll settle on a 22 for now.

Possessing the 2020 iteration of Cowboy Bourbon. This is Garrison's premier offering. Released annually in limited quantities, this bottle is one of 6768. It is 133.9 proof, bottled uncut and unfiltered, and presented in packaging reminiscent of ancient Egyptian royalty. Having missed out on the previous year's release, I was determined to acquire it if I encountered it again. The reviews acclaim it as a world-class spirit. I located it at Total Wine for $220, but was fortunate to purchase it at my local Specs for $177. Yes, this is a significant sum for a five-year-old bourbon. You read correctly, it is aged for five years… but in Texas, that equates to approximately fifteen years elsewhere. To paraphrase the master blender - It is a blend derived from around one hundred 'honey barrels,' some nearly depleted due to evaporation in the Texas heat, leaving behind pure essence. I sampled it neat, with a couple of drops added, and allowed it to breathe; the method of consumption hardly matters. Regardless of how you drink it, this is unequivocally, by far, the finest bourbon I have ever experienced. It is so exceptional that I will need to re-evaluate all other bourbons. I recently reviewed ECBF B520 and awarded it five stars. I compared them directly, and Elijah Craig Barrel Proof appears slender and weak next to this robust contender. Aged in glass, it is magnificent, displaying the deepest mahogany hue I have observed. The nose presents a thick, dense bouquet of pecan and walnut, blackberry jam, fig newtons, and toasted oak. Brown sugar, oatmeal, and scorched caramel are also present. As you shift the position of your nose, the aromas change. The proof is astonishingly well-integrated. The mouthfeel is akin to 10w40, reaching every part of the palate. The taste is simultaneously powerful and sophisticated. It is a formidable force delivered with elegance. The only comparable experience is the flavor intensity of an eighteen to twenty-one-year-old Scotch. The high proof is dangerously concealed. It resembles rich pecan pie with a burnt crust, butter toffee, toasted figs, dark caramels, and sweet, non-astringent wood tannins. Hints of pipe tobacco and light char are perceptible in the background. The flavors are exceptionally profound and fully coat the taste buds. The finish is a continuation, offering no respite. The deep sweetness and nutty maple transition into satisfying oak and a dusty library aroma, achieving complete harmony. This is a whiskey to be savored. It is costly and difficult to find, but if you consider yourself a bourbon enthusiast, you must make an effort to at least sample it. Is it worth the $177 I paid? Absolutely, and I would gladly pay double… a perfect score of 100/100. You receive the concentrated barrel characteristics and refinement of a much older bourbon, without excessive oakiness, combined with the vitality and strength of a younger spirit. This may be a product that perfectly aligns with my preferences, but I would be greatly surprised if experienced drinkers do not appreciate it.

I've noticed this bottle appearing in my usual stores lately and was eventually persuaded to buy one, which wasn't difficult since I'm a spirits enthusiast. Anyway, moving on to the review. Five years maturing in the Texas climate apparently results in one of the darkest and most appealing spirits I've encountered! I initially suspected the first pour would pack a strong oak flavor, and it certainly did, surprisingly so. Expecting this, I had a couple of pours and decided to let the bottle rest for a few weeks to open up. I'm now two weeks into the opened bottle, and there's still a robust oak presence, though it has mellowed. The nose carries scents of oak and leather with spice and sarsaparilla. Taste: As expected, oak, leather, spice, and some caramel. The finish was decent; the oiliness is heavy and coats the tongue well, even imparting a slight butter taste. Despite its high proof of 133.9, it was remarkably smooth, but it lacked complexity and wasn't worth the price tag, which ranges from $215 to $400 depending on the retailer. All in all, I found myself wanting more, and it strangely made some of my other collection taste a bit dull, likely due to its intense flavor. While there weren't many distinct flavors, the ones present were very pronounced and enduring.

Served on the rocks at a bar. It has a deep amber hue. The aroma offers cherries, raisins, oak, and caramel. The taste presents a dense texture with cinnamon, cherry, and oak. The conclusion is lengthy and warm, persisting extensively. A splash of water tempers the heat and introduces a distinct hay note, characteristic of whiskies from Texas. Overall: 9.5/10 - This is an exceptional bourbon. $35 for a 2oz serving

I really enjoy this Bourbon! It has wood smoke and cinnamon with the perfect amount of sweetness. There isn't another spirit like it. It is highly regarded, receiving an A from Whiskey Reviewer. Whiskey Bible has twice named it the best American Whiskey of the Year.

My preferred whiskey encountered so far