Garrison Brothers Cowboy Bourbon (2023 Release)

DISTILLED AND BARRELED IN 2017 BOTTLE # // 2483 of 9600 NEAT Let me start by saying this. This year’s cowboy bourbon release is the first I’ve ever tried and it is easily among the most, if not the most, complex bourbons I’ve sampled to date. You can say what you will about Texas Whiskey, but Garrison Bros. absolutely nailed it with this one. The cost is high, especially considering its age, but you would never guess it was only 6 years old if you had a taste. NEAT - Initially, once poured into the glass, there is a very strong ethanol presence, so much so that it's nearly impossible to discern anything else. After a few minutes, the familiar Garrison notes of leather, hay, grass, and tobacco start to appear. Swirl the glass occasionally and just relax for a little while (5-10 mins.). The nose then begins to reveal some of the deepest and richest aromas of brown sugar, caramel, honey, maple, and molasses. As I moved my nose around the glass, different scents would emerge or become more prominent than others. Amazing! PALATE - Viscous, thick, oily mouthfeel. It feels like the bourbon coats the roof of the mouth. Interestingly, the palate develops in the same manner as the nose. Initially, you encounter the leather, oak, grass and hay, but towards the mid-palate, you are greeted with all the sweet, dark, and rich flavors. FINISH - The finish is the sweetness gradually fading into a damp oak note. It's neither particularly sweet nor bitter; it's somewhere in between. It lasts for an extended period, which is expected given the proof. Lastly, this does not taste like its proof at all; it drinks more like 120 than 140.9. This is both surprising and unsurprising. Surprising because of the proof, obviously, but unsurprising because I've had two Garrison Single Barrels that were both above 130 proof and both drank well below their stated proof. BUY? - Indulge yourself with this taste. If you don't want to pay for the whole bottle, at least try it at a bar. You might end up wanting to purchase a bottle for yourself, as I did. I'm eager to see how this evolves over time. BUY AGAIN?? - I've considered getting another bottle, but I can't justify it at this price. However, I do believe this will be a bourbon I try to acquire every year, if possible. It's truly a work of art. 🥃

Boozy pecan pie. A friend provided this for our quarterly online tasting. Was really looking forward to this one in particular, just because I’m a huge fan of the distillery's premium offerings. The premium ones are amazing. It’s pricey because Texas whiskey isn’t easy. 120 degrees in the warehouse, followed by cold winter nights. That takes a lot in spirits evaporation. You can be left with an oily sludge, or a masterpiece. It’s a fine line that takes a deft hand. At hazmat level, you have to add water. Well, you don’t have to…but you should. I did first smell it and take a sip without water. Immense oak and dough, pecan pie aromas. Palette is all pecan pie and marshmallows. Now, with water, the pecan pie becomes more prominent. The texture is thick and oily as well. Honestly, you can’t tell this is 70+ percent alcohol by volume. It feels and drinks lighter. Until of course you have a few sips, and then can’t feel your mouth anymore. Super well made, thanks for the pour from a friend, and am glad I bought a bottle.

Fantastic aroma. Dried fruits, nuts, cinnamon, and a touch of brown sugar. Long legs. Thick, coating mouthfeel. The taste exhibits traditional bourbon characteristics with a strong influence of spice and nuts. Very long finish. 90/100. 95/100 with a little water.

A fantastically full and concentrated sweetness combined with aged oak. Delivers flavors of dark chocolate, pecan pie, caramel, cherry cola, and raspberries.

Quite potent, but a nice finish on this one. Very tasty.

2/5. Too intense, too much heat.