Garrison Brothers Texas Straight Bourbon

Rating: 14/23 Nose: Wood. Sawdust, actually. It's somewhat sweet though, with corn and brown sugar present. There's a faint tartness and bitterness, and I detect a slight hint of the alcohol. It's an acceptable aroma, but seems a bit immature and lacking in complexity. Palate: Sawdust and light brown sugar are complemented by alcohol and subtle corn. There's a considerable amount of char from the barrel, and I perceive the faintest hint of tangerine or something similar, though it's weak. A bit of spice is also present, but I'm struggling to identify it. The spice is slightly sharp, but manageable. While not deeply complex, it's a tasty product with a distinct flavor. Finish: The alcohol, corn, char, and sawdust are the most prominent elements that linger. The brown sugar dissipates quite rapidly. As the finish develops, it primarily consists of sawdust and char. Conclusion: This somehow strikes me as slightly less mature than my single barrel cask strength bottling. It's akin to that, but with a touch of Buffalo Trace mixed in. Generally, I find it slightly superior to Buffalo Trace (though not enough to justify the price difference). I believe I underestimated my single barrel cask strength bottle of Garrison Brothers at a 14 - it's likely closer to a 16. As this is better than Buffalo Trace (a 12) and not as good as the Garrison Brothers Single Barrel, I'm considering a score between 13 and 15. Given the cost, it's difficult to justify purchasing this with such a modest rating, but it is an enjoyable expression that differs from your typical sour mash bourbon. I'm leaning towards a 14. While other more complex and mature bourbons have also received a 14, this possesses a tastiness and smoothness that I feel warrants it. It's not an outstanding bourbon, but I find it so easy to return to that there must be something quite good about it. It's comparable to Old Tub, Wild Turkey 101, and Early Times Bottled In Bond. The only drawback is that it costs more than double what any of those do.

2018 edition, 47% ABV. Nose: Clay, dirt, crayons, with some sweetness in the background. It's like opening a box of crayons with some mud, dirt, and clay mixed in and left for about a year. Then, at the very end, add a hint of alcohol and perhaps caramel. Taste: The initial taste is clay, then it becomes sweet, offering some traditional bourbon characteristics. It then returns to waxy crayons and clay putty, followed by sweetness and more bourbon notes. Possibly some floral notes, but not in a pleasant way; more earthy and floral. I mostly endured this again to share some advice. Garrison Brothers receives a lot of praise and criticism. I'm unsure if batch variations exist or if some people genuinely enjoy this. I contacted the distillery, and they assured me that clay putty is not a flavor or aroma I should expect. However, I've spoken with many individuals who have experienced similar notes, suggesting that if it's off, it's a COMMON off-note. I would be interested in trying a different batch to see if this is just my perception. Regardless, unless you enjoy the taste of dirt, this is pretty bad. The aroma is much worse than the taste, which actually has some bourbon qualities. Still, it tastes awful. Overall, you can't improve this with mixing; you can only drain pour it or recommend against buying it.

This was my first experience with this brand, and it was excellent. It's a memorable bourbon due to its pleasing flavor and aroma. The brand's website states it's Texas's first legal bourbon whiskey, bottled at 47% ABV, with a nice copper color. The nose is intensely sweet and jam-like, with notes of strawberry jam, cranberries, caramel, syrup, marmalade, maraschino cherries, strawberries, and coffee – fantastic. The palate is quite acidic, with notes of prunes and fruitiness. A second sip brought red fruits, jam, and coffee beans. The aftertaste had a pleasant spiciness, like sugar syrup, chili, and wasabi, ending very dry and astringent. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this drink. The combination of sweet, acidic, and spicy elements is quite appealing. My score is 85 out of 100, though it feels like it deserves higher.

Nose: Very similar to Dickel, with notes of nectarines, mild wintergreen, and light honey vanilla sweetness. There's also a touch of cinnamon and brown sugar. Eventually, dark red cherries and milk chocolate emerge, along with a hint of tobacco. Taste: Strong oak leads to a very dry, herbal grass or hay flavor. It then shifts to hot cinnamon pancakes with maple syrup. The finish is very fruity and sweet, with a vanilla honey aftertaste. Lemongrass, peaches, red apples, and bitter plums are also present. Banana appears toward the end. Adding water brings heavy corn and pie crust aromas to the nose. The taste becomes oak-dominated but the sweetness is amplified. This is not a typical bourbon. It has many complex elements that might not appeal to or could divide some individuals.

I really want to enjoy this bourbon. It presents robust flavors and complexity unexpected for its age, validating the "Texas climate" aspect. The bottle is appealing and it delivers the sweetness typical of a wheat-based whiskey. My only reservation is the cost. At $60, it could compete strongly for consumers' money. At $40, it would sell out rapidly. However, at $80, it's challenging to rationalize over numerous other excellent bourbons available for half the price. The price significantly impacts my rating, as it would otherwise easily earn a 4.5. Yet, considering inflation and the current whiskey market, $80 might become the norm, and we might be eager to purchase this.

Sadly, it's overly sweet for my palate. Notes of honey, brown sugar, and vanilla are present. It resembles JD Tennessee Honey. My rating system is detailed below. The distiller uses a 5-point scale, while I use a 10-point scale. I'm confident you can figure out the conversion! 1. Terrible - So awful I discarded it. 2. Unpleasant - I would avoid drinking it. 3. Flawed - Contains several imperfections. 4. Subpar - Drinkable, but I'd prefer other options. 5. Decent - Just okay. 6. Above Average - Better than expected. 7. Impressive - Significantly better than average. 8. Outstanding - Truly exceptional. 9. Amazing - A personal best. 10. Flawless