Garrison Brothers Cowboy Bourbon (2022 Release)

This particular bourbon, regardless of its age, stands in a category almost by itself. Comparing it directly against a bourbon you deeply appreciate would be eye-opening. It's remarkable how this bourbon can outperform and overshadow most others. However, such dominance comes at a cost, and this year's release is priced at $250 (finding it at that price is a challenge). I managed to acquire a bottle from my whiskey contact in San Antonio for slightly below the suggested retail price. Pour it out and allow it to aerate for a while. The aroma is intense, rich, and deep, requiring time to fully appreciate. It presents with opulent dark fruits enveloped in soft, luxurious leather. There's sticky, simmered caramel and toffee, baking spices, sweet pipe tobacco, and aged wood. The ethanol heat is nonexistent, which is impressive at its proof, allowing for deep inhalations. The taste is an eruption of singed pie crust, blackberry and fig, overcooked caramels, and spice swimming in leather, tobacco, and oak. A Texas characteristic (flour/sawdust) underpins the entire experience, though less prominently than in previous years. The finish is a very extended fade of the palate notes, drying out but never becoming bitter. This is a supremely succulent bourbon that presents far beyond its years. The flavors are so concentrated, it's as if they scraped the barrels and added the concentrated essence back in. I've awarded top marks to the 2020 and 2021 versions of this bourbon, and this one also deserves near-perfect scores. It's slightly different, with less of an immediate flavor impact and more refinement, making it taste even more mature, which it is. If you have any opportunity to try or purchase any of the recent releases, do so. My ranking is 2020 > 2021 > 2022, but all are magnificent.........96/100

A very strong, high proof marvel. It requires time in the glass to evolve, but as it does, both the aroma and taste shift in surprising ways while maintaining the core flavor. Distinctive and worth the cost of entry, it's difficult to find a comparison for this premium wheated bourbon due to the Texas white corn and the unique aging environment. Perhaps its most remarkable quality is the smooth, effortless drinking experience it offers after some aeration. At almost 140 proof, it's astonishing how well the heat is integrated with the other flavors, while still coating the palate as a high proof spirit should. Many might question the pricing of Garrison Brothers' selections, but the 2022 Cowboy justifies its high suggested retail price for valid reasons.

Tastes like a mix of cola, Dr Pepper, and root beer with dark chocolate, cherries, nuts, bananas foster, honey, cinnamon, and leather. Nose: Cola, Dr Pepper, Dark Chocolate, Cinnamon, Maple Syrup, Honey, Butterscotch, Bananas Foster, Twix Bars, Demerara Syrup, Hazelnuts, Gingerbread, Blood Oranges, Leather Palate: Dr Pepper, Cinnamon, Nutella, Treacle, Honey, Almonds, Peaches, Butterscotch, Chocolate Covered Cherries, Root Beer, Brown Sugar, Nutmeg, Tobacco, Leather, Dates Finish: Caramel, Bananas Foster, Burnt Honey, Dark Chocolate, Root Beer, Dr Pepper, Cloves, Cinnamon, Raspberries, White Chocolate Syrup

Appearance: Glencairn glass, dark brown color, smells of tobacco. Nose: Corn, a slight medicinal alcohol, and a faint sweet brown molasses note deep within the glass. Taste: A punch of proof and pepper hits immediately, fading into honey and molasses, with oak and a slight smokiness. Finish: As it sits, the nose improves significantly. Much more brown sugar and barrel influence comes through as the alcohol recedes. This is one of my favorite barrel-proof offerings, and I will always try to buy every bottle I can.

A flavorful and smooth bourbon for its proof. While I'm not typically a fan of Garrison Brothers Small Batch, this is significantly better and impressive for a craft bourbon. I'm uncertain if I'd purchase a bottle myself, but it's very good and has altered my perception of Garrison Brothers overall. As others have mentioned, it's quite distinct and difficult to compare to other Kentucky bourbons.

Aroma: Praline Pecans, Walnut, Brown sugar, Molasses, Rich oak, Toffee, Leather, Clove, Anise, Dates, Dark Chocolate/Coffee. Taste: Bittersweet coating, Pecan, Oak, Coffee, Dark Chocolate, Toffee. Finish: Praline Pecans, a warm embrace, Bitter Coffee that evolves into sweet stewed dates and Raisins.