Garrison Brothers Brings Back Laguna Madre with a New Cask-Strength Single Barrel
Some whiskey releases are mainly about getting a bottle before it disappears.
The 2026 Laguna Madre Release Party at Garrison Brothers Distillery has a little more going on.
On Saturday, August 8, Garrison Brothers will welcome whiskey fans to Hye for the return of Laguna Madre, an eight-year Texas bourbon finished through an unusually patient maturation process. This year’s release also introduces something new: the first Laguna Madre Cask Strength Single Barrel.
The event runs from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and includes oysters from Key Allegro Oyster Co., live music, cocktails, food from the Whiskey Shack, and support for FlatsWorthy.
For fans of mature Texas bourbon, this is one of the more distinctive releases on the calendar.
Eight Years and Two Different Oaks
Laguna Madre spends its first four years aging in new American white oak, the traditional home of bourbon.
Then it takes a sharp turn.
The whiskey spends another four years in French Limousin oak, a wood more commonly associated with Cognac than Texas bourbon. Limousin oak is known for its wider grain structure and the way it can contribute layers of spice, tannin, dark fruit, and rich wood character over time.
That second four-year maturation is not a quick finishing period. It is half the whiskey’s life.
In a market where many finished bourbons spend months rather than years in a secondary barrel, Laguna Madre’s four additional years in French oak make it an outlier. It also helps explain why this release has earned a reputation as one of Garrison Brothers’ more elaborate and limited expressions.
Texas maturation is rarely gentle. Heat pushes whiskey deep into the barrel, and eight years is a serious commitment in this climate. Add four years in Limousin oak, and there is plenty here for whiskey drinkers who enjoy studying how wood affects flavor.
The First Laguna Madre Cask Strength Single Barrel
The biggest news this year is the debut of Laguna Madre Cask Strength Single Barrel.
The standard 2026 Laguna Madre will be available for $349.99, while the new cask-strength single-barrel release will be priced at $409.99.
A single-barrel version removes the blending process that normally helps create consistency across a release. Instead, each bottle reflects the character of one individual barrel. Offering it at cask strength should provide an even more direct look at how that specific bourbon developed through four years in American oak and another four years in French Limousin oak.
For collectors, the novelty alone will attract attention. For whiskey nerds, the more interesting question may be how the single-barrel version compares with the standard Laguna Madre blend.
That is the sort of comparison that can turn a bottle release into an evening-long experiment at home. For science, naturally.
Oysters, Whiskey, and the Texas Coast
The release party will also feature oysters from Key Allegro Oyster Co.
Oysters and bourbon may not be the first pairing everyone thinks of, but the combination makes sense for an event connected to the Texas coast. Briny oysters can provide a sharp contrast to the sweetness, oak, and weight of a mature bourbon, particularly one with a long secondary maturation.
Guests can also expect live music, cocktails, and food from the Whiskey Shack throughout the day.
The event will support FlatsWorthy, adding a conservation component to a whiskey whose name is closely tied to one of the most distinctive coastal environments in Texas.
Plan Before You Drive to Hye
Garrison Brothers has specifically stated that overnight camping in vehicles will not be allowed because of safety, parking, and neighborhood concerns.
That matters for a release beginning at 8 a.m. Whiskey fans planning to arrive early should arrange lodging or transportation rather than treating the parking lot like an improvised campground.
No admission or ticket requirement is currently listed for the release party, but bottle quantities and purchase limits have not been provided. Anyone making the trip primarily for a bottle should confirm availability directly with Garrison Brothers before heading to Hye.
Event Details
Event: 2026 Laguna Madre Release Party
Date: Saturday, August 8, 2026
Time: 8 a.m.–4 p.m.
Location: Garrison Brothers Distillery
Address: 1827 Hye-Albert Road, Hye, TX 78635
Bottle pricing:
Laguna Madre: $349.99
Laguna Madre Cask Strength Single Barrel: $409.99
Also featured:
Oysters from Key Allegro Oyster Co.
Live music
Cocktails and food from the Whiskey Shack
Support benefiting FlatsWorthy
Important: Overnight camping in vehicles is not permitted.
Keep Exploring Texas Whiskey
You can find more upcoming Garrison Brothers Distillery events, browse other Hill Country whiskey events, or explore the complete Texas Whiskey Events Calendar for bottle releases, tastings, dinners, festivals, and distillery gatherings across Texas.
For shirts, glassware, and other ways to support independent Texas whiskey coverage, visit the Texas Whiskey Geek Merch Store. It helps keep the reviews, event listings, and questionable amounts of whiskey research moving forward.
Event Disclaimer
Event details, bottle quantities, purchase limits, pricing, entertainment, food availability, and schedules may change. Confirm all information directly with Garrison Brothers Distillery before traveling.
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