Garrison Brothers HoneyDew

Rating: 12/23 Nose: The familiar sawdust note from this distillery is present, though milder here, likely due to the reduced alcohol content. It's accompanied by a somewhat vegetal grassiness and sweetness resembling diluted clover honey, along with a bitter herbal scent, presumably from the honey's less sweet aspects. Some sweet corn notes are still detectable with the sawdust, but not prominently, and the overall aroma lacks distinct elements. Palate: The initial impression is that of bourbon, albeit low proof. The sawdust and some corn sweetness are apparent, followed by the sweet honey with its vegetal and bitter undertones. The bitterness is less pronounced than anticipated. The texture is quite thin. It's challenging to discern much complexity, and the honey flavor comes across as somewhat aggressive. A hint of milk chocolate is present, which might explain the vegetal notes if real milk chocolate were used in its production. It occasionally presents a grassy character. Finish: Primarily watery with subdued wood notes, akin to repeatedly steeped tea bags. There's a faint honey sweetness and bitterness, but not substantial. It evokes the sensation of drinking a highball late at night when one's palate is fatigued. I am not enjoying this. - Conclusion - This is regrettably a bit watery and lacks the anticipated sweetness and richness, especially when compared to Jack Daniel's Tennessee Honey. I'm conflicted because it's superior as a bourbon, yet not a great one, while the Jack Daniel's is undeniably a liqueur and embraces that identity. The standard Garrison Brother Small Batch (rated 14) offers more body and complexity, with a clearer identity. Between the two, I prefer the standard Garrison Brothers, which is merely an acceptable whiskey. Consequently, this won't receive a 14. When considering mellow, fairly sweet whiskeys, I would likely prefer Buffalo Trace (currently rated 11, though I may have underestimated it) over this. Ancient Age 10 Star (rated 12) might also be a preferred choice, though the comparison is closer. I'll settle on a 12 for this, though a 13 or even an 11 wouldn't be entirely out of the question. If the alcohol content were a few points higher, I might consider rating it a point or two higher, but ultimately, I'm unconvinced that lightly honeyed was an effective concept here. I had high hopes, but the execution presents issues. I would be interested to sample a batch of Jack Daniel's Single Barrel Barrel Proof infused with honey-soaked cubes and a batch of this spirit using cubes soaked in grade B maple syrup. Those combinations might prove more successful. This tastes as though clover honey was used, which is far too delicate for a robust bourbon like Garrison Brothers. Thank you for the sample!

Garrison Brothers aged their four-year-old small batch bourbon for seven months in stainless steel tanks with upcycled bourbon barrels that had been converted into wooden cubes soaked in Burleson’s Texas Wildflower Honey. It was then bottled at 80 proof. Many thanks to a generous friend for the sample; I was eager to see if the honey bourbon cubes, stainless steel aging, and low proof would create a bourbon that was easy to drink. The aroma was quite simple and light, featuring freshly made raw cinnamon roll dough, a cinnamon sugar/butter topping, and some subtle barrel spices with a mild ethanol burn. The palate offered a thin to medium body. It began with that raw cinnamon roll dough taste, accompanied by toasted pecans, then chocolate, a touch of fruit, followed by faint barrel spices and a light ethanol burn. The finish was medium in length, presenting cinnamon honey butter on toast, a mug of Mexican hot chocolate, and candied pecans. This drink is reminiscent of a spiced sweet tea with bourbon notes. While it tasted average initially, more flavors emerged with continued sipping, including more raw cinnamon roll and a lasting honey taste. It's not complex, but it's exceptionally smooth, avoiding an overly sweet profile while still allowing the bourbon character and honey notes on the finish to come through. These bottles retail for around $70, which is more than I would prefer to spend. I'd rather opt for a WR Double Oak (described as a Hershey’s syrup-covered banana split with cherries) or an OF 1920 (chocolate-covered alcoholic cherries with a creamy center) for my sweet whiskey desires. However, if a raw cinnamon roll with honey butter appeals to you, you will likely enjoy this.

I feel as though I've failed my South Asian community. My right to my cultural heritage should be rescinded. Let me elaborate: my daughter earned a B in Accelerated Algebra. Had I achieved that as a 7th grader (admittedly, she is in 7th grade taking 9th-grade level math), it would have brought a thousand generations of shame upon my household, followed by a swift beating with a dough roller. Instead, I adopted the American-born South Asian approach... sat her down, and attempted to uncover the root cause of her B grade. Discussing it instead of resorting to shame and physical punishment? That's a disservice to my ancestors. But from my perspective, it's a life lesson for her. She needs to personally assess her mistakes and determine how to correct her course. I believe the same can be applied to this Garrison pour, generously provided by a friend. Oak and honey... that essentially summarizes the aroma and palate. Personally, I found it excessively sharp and sweet, a clear indication it was bottled too young, and that sticky honey casks were used heavily. I had hoped for a more balanced drink, but this tastes like a dessert. Their proficiency in areas where they excel, such as with Cowboy and Balmo, made me feel this particular offering was somewhat off-mark for them. It's theoretically a flavored whiskey, and that's simply not to my preference... so perhaps the issue lies with me, not them. However, I believe it's acceptable to have a product that misses the mark... the key is to step back and reassess the necessary adjustments. If you appreciate drinks with a sweeter profile, this might appeal to you. It's good to experience another Garrison product, especially considering its esteemed heritage, stemming from the Cowboy. Thanks to a friend for the sample!

I was thrilled to finally locate this bottle, with a limit of one per customer. It's not technically a flavored bourbon, but it's certainly heavily finished. I enjoy honey and sweet bourbon, so I anticipated liking this, and I do. Poured neat, the aroma is of clover honey and raw dough with a dusting of gold medal flour, a scent also noticeable in Cowboy. I perceive this as the 'sawdust' some mention, but it's flour to me. With time, notes of bamboo beads and Sharpie marker appear. The honey aroma develops into a thicker beeswax if allowed to rest. The palate belies the 80 proof, with full flavor saturation. Rich, intense raw honey notes are prominent, with a surprising spicy kick. Light woodiness and more doughy bakery notes with the sprinkled flour remain in the background. It's a singular profile, but a remarkably executed one. The finish echoes the honey and dough, with lingering nutmeg, leather, and non-drying barrel oak. If this profile suits your taste, it's top-tier. I won't dispute the pricing is excessive at $70-80+; it should be closer to $40, perhaps $50, but that's the cost for a craft distillery. I'm personally okay with that, being local, but I can't imagine others being satisfied, and you'll likely never find it anyway. Ultimately, I am personally fond of Garrison Bros and will continue to support them. Rating: 86/100 - excellent stuff, though not worth the high price. Those who don't prefer sweetness should pass.

Nose - rich honey, raw cinnamon bun dough, salted caramel, vanilla, brown butter, marshmallow, sweet oak, graham cracker, mild to moderate ethanol burn. Taste - honey syrup, cinnamon bun, apple, salted caramel, frosted wheat, vanilla, sweet floral notes, candied pecan, melted chocolate, toasted oak, mild to moderate alcohol bite, finishing medium length with honey, caramel, and toasted oak flavors. I'm heading south from Waco to Hye, Texas for the next few days and reviewing some Garrison Brothers releases. My initial thought was to question why I'm spending $80 for a bottle of 40% alcohol that is quite similar to a flavored whiskey. But I purchased it anyway, since I've had exceptionally positive experiences with Garrison Brothers. This is an interesting experiment, and I believe they succeeded. The nose and palate are both dominated by honey and doughy cinnamon buns. Other aromas and flavors are present, but they are secondary. I'm actually not disappointed with the low proof. It's thick and rich as it is. This is good whiskey, but not great whiskey. I would not purchase this again at $80. It seems more like a $50 drink. I'm willing to spend for the Balmorheas and Cowboys, but this doesn't warrant the premium price.

An outstanding, flavored Wheated Bourbon Whiskey by Garrison Brothers Distillery in Hye, Texas, created by infusing their Small Batch Bourbon with Texas Burleson's wildflower honey; aged for a minimum of 4 years in American white oak barrels; before being bottled at 80 proof. It has an aromatic beginning with notes of grain, wood, fruits, nuts, herbs & spices; while a rich & creamy middle adds notes of honey butter, pineapples, stewed apricot, elderberry syrup & saltwater taffy; while a warm & honeyed end of medium length adds notes of oak, vanilla, more honey, cinnamon-toast-crunch, clove, white chocolate & hibiscus tea. June 2024 Story & Tasting with Master Distiller Donnis Todd