Garrison Brothers Bottled in Bond Texas Straight Bourbon Whiskey Review
Proof: 100
Age: 6 Years
Mashbill: Undisclosed (made with food-grade white corn from South Texas)
Price: $99
Distilled, Aged, and Bottled: Hye, Texas
Certified Texas Whiskey: Yes
The Story
Garrison Brothers Distillery holds a special place in the history of Texas whiskey. When the distillery opened its doors in 2006, it became the first legal whiskey distillery in Texas since Prohibition. Since then, Garrison Brothers has become one of the most recognized names in Texas bourbon.
In 2019, the distillery filled the first barrels destined to become their Bottled in Bond Texas Straight Bourbon Whiskey. While the Bottled in Bond Act requires a minimum of four years of aging, Garrison Brothers allowed this whiskey to mature for six full years in the intense Texas climate.
The timing of the release is fitting. It arrives alongside Texas Independence Day celebrations and ahead of the United States’ 250th anniversary, making this a whiskey that feels rooted in both Texas pride and American whiskey tradition.
What Does “Bottled in Bond” Mean?
The Bottled-in-Bond Act of 1897 was one of the first consumer protection laws in American food and beverage history. To carry the Bottled in Bond designation, a whiskey must:
Be distilled by one distiller
At a single distillery
During one distillation season
Aged in a federally bonded warehouse for at least four years
Bottled at exactly 100 proof
Clearly labeled with the distillery where it was produced
These strict standards help guarantee authenticity and consistency.
Nose
Dusty oak leads the way, instantly reminding me of my grandfather’s wood shop. There’s a light brown sugar sweetness underneath it, along with something a little nostalgic. Think root beer barrel candy.
A hint of toasted rye bread rounds it out. On the nose alone, this bourbon pulls me straight back to childhood memories of visiting my grandparents.
Palate
Sweet oak and vanilla arrive first. As the bourbon moves across the tongue, the root beer candy note from the nose returns, though less sugary than expected.
The flavor quickly shifts into a pleasant wave of spice. The finish carries those root beer notes along with a gentle warmth that lingers.
The mouthfeel sits right in the sweet spot for a 100 proof bourbon. Moderately viscous with a slightly oily texture.
Finish
Medium-long with waves of spice, oak, and that distinctive root beer character that keeps showing up from nose to finish.
Final Thoughts
This release may not have the complexity of some of the higher-proof special releases from Garrison Brothers, but it hits the right notes.
More importantly, it does something whiskey occasionally does best. It takes you somewhere, and brings back memories.
For me, it was back to afternoons in my grandfather’s shop watching him build things out of wood and glue. Or helping my grandmother bake fresh bread for lunch.
That alone makes this a bottle worth revisiting. And yes, I plan to keep one on the shelf.
Disclaimer
This bottle was provided for an unpaid and unbiased review.
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