Get To Know These 8 Texas Made Whiskeys

Here are some of the biggest players in the ever-expanding Texas whiskey landscape

Merely a decade ago, Texas only had two whiskey distilleries: Garrison Brothers Distillery and Balcones Distilling. Since then, in 2018, twelve Texas-based distilleries formed the Texas Whiskey Association, to bring about awareness to consumers about whiskey brands deemed as “certified Texas made,” plus support whiskey distilleries within the state. Furthermore, there are officially 15 distilleries highlighted on the official tasting route of the Texas Whiskey Trail. Even now, Austin is home to the premiere Texas Whiskey Festival, taking place this weekend.

Unlike most whiskey producing states which experience four complete seasons, Texas can experience four seasons in one week—sometimes in one day! These extreme climate changes cause expansion and contraction to the wood in the barrels, and other conditions that impact the outcome of the whiskey. Thus, Texas whiskey is a truly unique product.

Here are eight Texas-made whiskies to try:

Balcones Distilling

Balcones Distilling creates multiple award-winning expressions; however, Balcones Baby Blue Corn Whiskey is the one with quite a rich history. Baby Blue is Texas’ first legally produced and sold whiskey post-Prohibition. Made from roasted New Mexican blue corn, this whiskey has garnered hundreds of national and international awards, including Double Gold at the 2019 NY International Spirits Competition.

Garrison Brothers Distillery

Dan Garrison, founder of Garrison Brothers Distillery, is the poster child of resilience. It took Dan over 60 tries to perfect the recipes that we can now enjoy with juicy steaks or as a standalone treat after a long day. Founded in 2006, the Garrison Brothers Distillery is the first legal bourbon distillery in Texas history and is one of the first distilleries in the States to produce authentic, bourbon (the main focus of their production). One to try is the signature Single Barrel Bourbon, which smells as alluring as it tastes. Notes of cinnamon, honey, and apple tantalize the taste buds without an overwhelming oak flavor. If you’re fortunate enough to lasso onto a bottle of their rare, cask-strength Cowboy Bourbon, then pair it with your favorite chocolatey treat, which is a chocolate pairing combo that is hard not to love.

Lone Elm

Operating as grain-to-glass, Lone Elm Whiskey, a founding member of the Texas Whiskey Association and the Texas Whiskey Trail, creates a distinctive whiskey homegrown in Forney, Texas. The distillery uses red winter wheat grown by local farmers as its key ingredient, and spent mash is sent back to local farmers to re-fertilize their crops. Since water is the essence of any quality cup of joe or glass of whiskey, it’s important to note their usage of purified UV protected water that is treated through reverse osmosis for all their products, including the Small Batch Texas Whiskey and Single Barrel Texas Whiskey.

Treaty Oak Distilling

Founder and CEO Daniel Barnes grew up in West Texas with parents who owned a restaurant and motel, subsequently inspiring him to follow in their entrepreneurial footsteps. In 2006, Barnes founded Treaty Oak Distilling. At the time, it was only the fourth distillery operating in Texas. Treaty Oak is home to Ghost Hill Bourbon (named after Treaty Oak Distilling’s 28-acre ranch home in Dripping Springs, Texas) and Red-Handed Rye Whiskey. The grain used in the whiskeys is from local farmers, and non-GMO certified.

Ranger Creek

Ranger Creek’s .36 Texas Bourbon is made using Texas corn. The flavor profile consists of vanilla, brown sugar, and tastes of cinnamon through the finish. If you’re looking for a more Scotch-like sip, try Rimfire. This single malt is smoked with Texas mesquite, setting it apart from its peat-flavored peers. Each batch uses roughly 500 pounds of malted barley that is hand-smoked in-house, using their own distinctive cold-smoking technique. Adding a few drops of water enhances the mesquite flavor and smoky notes.

Ironroot Republic

Located in Denison, Texas, Ironroot Republic id family-owned and by the Likarish Brothers, Jonathan and Robert, and their mother, Marcia. The production is heavily influenced by the history of the town. In the late 1800s, T.V. Munson, a Denison resident who was a grape breeder and horticulturist became known for saving the wine industry from the phylloxera outbreak with the “iron” grape roots of Texas. This forever linked the cities of Cognac, France and Denison, Texas.

Using a variety of local and heirloom corns, Ironroot whiskies are crafted by traditional French brandy techniques, particularly the process of elévage (French for “rearing” or “raising”), whereby close attention is paid during the aging process. This ensures that the extreme climate has positive influences on the whiskey. Their Esoteric whiskey is a blend of half bourbon and half corn whiskey that changes every year.

Milam & Greene

Milam & Greene is named for the collaboration between Texan entrepreneur Marsha Milam and whiskey expert and writer Heather Greene. The team also includes expert master distiller Marlene Holmes and chief brewer Jordan Osborne. As one of the brands falling under the Provision Spirits umbrella, Milam & Greene creates two unique whiskies: Milam & Greene Triple Cask Straight Bourbon Whiskey, and Milam & Greene Straight Rye Whiskey Finished In Port Wine Casks.

Each bottle of Milam & Greene Triple Cask is a batch of three straight bourbon whiskies selected by Greene: a 2-year-old premium Texas bourbon alongside 3 to 4-year-old Tennessee whiskey (this contributes flavors of vanillas and fruits), and a 10 to 11-year-old Tennessee whiskey to add more structure. Milam & Greene Port Finished Rye Whiskey is starts with Indiana whiskey brought to Texas, where it is batched in the Blanco rickhouse and finished in old Port wine casks from Portugal. For more information on Milam & Greene, please read our article here.

Saint Liberty Whiskey

Saint Liberty Whiskey pays homage to whiskey heroines by showcasing a real bootlegger and her story on each bottle of whiskey. The company launched its Bertie’s Bear Gulch Straight Bourbon Whiskey in Texas late last year. Bertie’s Bear Gulch Bourbon Whiskey, the first in the series, is crafted in the Lone Star State. However it is proofed and finished in Montana using what the company claims to be the same Rocky Mountain water Bertie used to proof her whiskey nearly 100 years ago.

The bourbon consists of 70% Texas corn, 27.5% Saskatchewan rye, and 2.5% malted barley from North Dakota. Sure, the vintage-inspired bottle is beautiful, but the flavor notes leave an equally exquisite impression – caramelized vanilla, apricots, and a hint of brown sugar. *chef’s kiss*

Featured, SpiritsGabrielle PharmsMarch 11, 2020whiskey, bourbon, ryeComment