Elsewhere in the good ol’ U. S. A., Texans are known for tall tales, going off half-cocked and gross elaboration. To assure I don’t perpetuate this hurtful and baseless stereotype, I’m not going to blow any wind up your skirt regarding the Pre-release of Garrison Brothers Texas Bourbon Whiskey. I will just relate the facts:
- Thursday, February 18 – Garrison Brothers informs its newsletter readers of the pre-release of our bourbon by Texas Independence Day (March 2nd) to the six liquor stores located in Blanco and Gillespie Counties.
- Monday, February 22 – Bottling is complete at GBD and trucks deliver our bourbon to the distributor.
- Tuesday, February 23 – The distributor turns the product around and delivers all the bottles back to the six stores out here. Stores put it on shelves. Garrison Brothers issues a press release announcing the pre-release.
- Thursday, February 25 – The liquor store in Hye sells out their entire allocation. Owner calls the distributor pleading for more.
- Friday, February 26 – The liquor store in Blanco sells out their entire allocation. (The owner claims buyers were flying in from Atlanta, Dallas, and Las Vegas to pick up their bottles.)
- Saturday, February 27 – All three Fredericksburg stores sell out their allocations.
So, I guess y’all were parched!
Sincere thanks to everyone who bought a bottle, a case, or more. Heartfelt apologies to anyone who wanted one but could not find a bottle. Barring any unforeseen disaster, our next release — Garrison Brothers 2008 Signature Vintage — will be available this fall.
As a courtesy to the wonderful folks at the local liquor stores out here, please do not place any more calls to stores in Blanco and Gillespie Counties. I promise you they have no more to sell and we don’t either.
Yeah, you ruthless bourbon-drinking bastards took my babies! Every single one of them. I miss them already. Please treat them well. Teach them respect and kindness and moderation.
Now I’d like to do something that really takes brass balls. From those of you who bought bottles — and only those who bought bottles — I want to know what you think of our bourbon.
As the moderator of this blog, you have my word as a fellow Texan that I will NOT delete any comments unless they are offensive to other bourbon whiskeys, bourbon makers, or other people. I’ll also eliminate any comments that disparagingly include names or phone numbers. Everything else, including and especially our bourbon, is fair game! Feel free to rant anonymously, if you wish, but rant nonetheless.
So, Texas, what do you think of our bourbon?
After a drive to Hye,Texas to pick up the pre-release bottles, lunch in Stonewall and a stop in Luckenbach…We just could not wait.
So we had to have a taste, in the parking lot of Luckenbach Post Office (that might be against some federal law, but seeing as it was Texas Independence Day, I think the revenuers better just let that one slide.)
How was it?
Amazingly smooth, warm with…well I will just have to let you decided. But I will spill this little secret; the after taste, not just moments, but long after leaves you wanting more. Very smooth with a full body flavor that is complex with a finish that last for what seems to be eons.
The bottle is great, hand labeled with number and dates of bottling. Garrison Brothers’ passion shows even in the pull ‘string’ under the wax. This ‘string’ is made, not of leather, but deer skin.
Kudo’s, as I was amazed for an initial bottling , and I can hardly wait for the next release.
Well i’ve said it once, twice and all the way through my first bottle yesterday with close friends and family…. This is beyond the shadow of a doubt the BEST BOURBON i’ve ever had. After 20 years of sampling, selling and savoring nothing else holds a candle to it. Congrats, we cant wait for the fall release.
Exceptional experience. Thanks for the tour and for making Texas’ first bourbon!
Unbelievable………… I am no connoisseur, just a good ol bourbon drinker. Trully the best bourbon I have ever tasted.
We invited our neighbors over the uncorking and tasting of the first bottle. I wanted more than just my opinion. It was unanimous. Dan you have done it! It was a hit!
When I stopped at Judys in Fredericksburg to pickup my four reserved bottles I seriously considered the clerks question “do you still want all four?” I was after all spending my summers bourbon allowance. Over the last twenty four hours I have considered recovering some of my investment…..I can still taste it… Its mine all mine! We are now eagerly awaiting the next batch. Sign me up.
The hardest question now is just who do we sit and sip with?
Who is sip worthy?
Lee and Kacey Butcher
Lazy “B” Ranch
Mason Texas
two bottles are now in the safe and my wife has changed the combo.
Thanks for the nice words ya’ll. We knew it was good. But when you get to drinking your own Kool Aid, everyday, you start to believe your Kool Aid’s pretty good. It makes us proud to hear it from others.
Trust that we’re making more.
Dan, the bourbon was great. I could care less about the deerskin strip or the writing on the bottle. I’ve been drinking bourbon for ALOT of years. I spent time in Lynchburg, TN, toured their facility, and sampled their bourbon prior to the law changes, when they gave you lemonade. I bought commemorative bottles and they even gave me certificates for my “Yellow Rose Ranch”. The bottles are empty, I’m not sure where the certificates are, but I will tell you…THIS IS THE BEST DAMN BOURBON I’VE EVER TASTED! The only negative thing I have to say is you didn’t make enough…WE NEED MORE! Thanks, keep up the good work. EJN
Hey Dan, will this stuff be available in Idaho when the Fall batch is released? I’m hoping to get a bottle somehow! Sounds really amazing. I love the color, looks a lot like some of my favorite barrel-proof bourbons, so I’m hoping for a strong bourbon flavor and kick even though it’s proof is cut. I’m jealous of you Texans, that’s for sure!
Plain and simple , A great tour. Thanks Fred for educating our group. We had a great time learned a whole lot and of course the sipping was ………… well that goes without saying.
we are eagerly awaiting the release of the flagship straight bourbon.
Great tour , Great bourbon keep up the good work
Thank You Fred for the most awesome tour of the Distillery, it was great. Not only did we learn a lot on how things were made, but the best part was the sampling……we’re currently finishing the last of Lee Butcher’s first release bottle….What are good friend for. We are looking forward to the flag ship release, … again thank you for the TEXAS hospitality and hope you all great sucess in the future. Kevin & Ann Hipple-Wasilla Alaska
Thanks for coming out to see us ya’ll. And thanks for the kind comments.
Bob, I’m afraid our bourbon won’t be in Idaho for many years to come. We’re a small operation, and as you may have noticed from others’ comments, we can’t make enough now just to satisfy our neighbors. Trust that we’re making it as fast as we can — without cutting any corners — and know that we’ll have a small sample here for you if you ever get down our way.
Garrison, I may have to take you up on that offer! Well, keep up the good work and I’ll keep my eyes peeled for it online and in stores. I’ll keep on dreaming in the mean time…
Thank you very much for the visit on Friday. My dad and I enjoyed ourselves very much. Congratulations! You should be very proud. The bourbon is one of the smoothest I’ve ever tasted. The flavors are already very nice.
For those who have not yet had the pleasure, the prerelease is extremely smooth for something so young. The heat that you might find from higher alcohol content simply isn’t there, just a smooth and pleasing warm sensation with a finish that you will enjoy long after you put down the glass.
While every palate will be a bit different, I picked up on some vanilla, caramel, and what I would call some hints of almond in the background. It’s perfect without any water or ice. Just leave it be.
The batch with two summer’s worth of aging is along the same lines with a more mature feel, which is to be expected. I’ll be looking forward to the next release.
I just managed to get a little bottle last night from a friend.
Great stuff. I’m definitely looking forward to a chance to visit the distillery one of these days.
I bought 3 bottles of the pre-release. I sent one home with a friend to Georgia. I must say that he and I were very disappointed.
The initial and residual taste is that of wax. Smooth never enters ones mind when drinking this stuff.
I sure hope future batches will prove otherwise as I am a proud Texan and anxious to brag about a bourbon from my home state. For now, I’m sticking with Pappy’s.
Ouch Sean. Thanks for keeping it real though. I hope you’ll try the fall release. I think you’ll be pleased.
I wouldn’t have known about Texas bourbon, except for seeing it on a bumper sticker yesterday. Hope to see some of it for purchase in Austin. I’m from Bourbon County, Kentucky, and am interested in trying this one. All the best to you guys on this endeavor. I’m no expert, but it sounds like you’ve done your homework.
Thanks Judy. Our entire multi-trillion dollar marketing budget is devoted to one small bumper sticker.
If you want a bottle from the fall 2010 release, please sign up for our newsletter at http://www.garrisonbros.com. We’ll tell newsletter subscribers about when and where it will be available 10 days before the rest of the world.
Well, the bumper sticker worked! I’ll sign up. We look forward to trying it.
Dan , I am a patiently waiting the fall release. If you need help bottling let me know, lets get er done.
Two of the four bottles I bought of the pre release still live in our safe and the wife still wont give me the combo. CRS is good for something. I cant remember if I signed up for the news letter . Guess I better sign up just in case.
Dan, I guess the pre-release went great. You never sent me any more info to put in my newspaper (Coleman, TX)…..
If I can be of any more help, let me know…I had lots of comments on our story about y’all.
Hey Dan… You’ve gotta have a stray bottle somewhere for a Garrison Gal…. lol
Debbie,
We drink the spare bottles.
Kind regards,
Dan
Took a wine tour group by on a recommendation. Everyone loved the facility – great educational experience for us all. And what a way to end the visit – with a tasting. The bourbon exceeded my expectations & will replace my top shelf selection. Looking forward to the Nov release!
Thanks for bring your crew out Mike. Tons of construction now and a little cramped. By March 1, we’ll be ready to do large group tours and tastings.
As I’m sure you already Know Burbon can only Be made in the Great State of Kentucky!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Every thing else is just Whiskey…..It might be the best whiskey ever made but its still whiskey!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Wayne,
I deeply admire the great people in Kentucky who make bourbon. They taught me how to make mine. Could not have done it without their help. Try some; you might feel differently.
Kind regards,
Dan
Well, so much for the announcement in the DECEMBER Hill Country Sun, which I just got, about the 1800 bottles just released! Got all excited about getting a bottle as a gift for a friend. Very dissappointed. Sure hope I’ll be able to get at least one bottle next year to give as a Christmas gift. Would love to have one for myself, too, but the gift is a MUST HAVE. Will be watching my email for future announcements!