Garrison Brothers Distillery

Garrison Brothers Distillery stands as a landmark in American whiskey, having pioneered the legal production of authentic, handcrafted, corn-to-cork bourbon in Texas. Established in the heart of the Hill Country, this distillery has meticulously cultivated a reputation for distilling exceptional bourbon, entirely from Texas-grown grains, under the challenging and unique climatic conditions of Hye, Texas. Their commitment to regional provenance and traditional methods, combined with the intense Texas heat, yields a distinctive flavor profile that has garnered significant international acclaim and positioned them as a formidable force in the premium bourbon landscape.

History & Heritage

The journey of Garrison Brothers Distillery began in 2006, when founders Dan and Nancy Garrison embarked on an ambitious endeavor to create the first legal whiskey distillery in the Lone Star State. Their vision was not merely to produce whiskey, but to craft a genuine Texas bourbon, from the ground up, utilizing only local resources. This meant sourcing food-grade white corn from Texas farms, growing red winter wheat on their own land, and capturing pure Hill Country rainwater for proofing. The initial years were marked by relentless dedication, transforming a ranch in Hye into a fully operational distillery. This pioneering spirit established Garrison Brothers as the trailblazer of Texas bourbon. The distillery remains proudly family-owned, as of August 2026, with Dan and Nancy Garrison continuing to steer its course, ensuring their original ethos of quality and regional authenticity persists through every expression produced. Their commitment extends to every stage of the process; the entire production, from milling and cooking to distillation, barreling, and aging, is meticulously performed on their Hye property. This dedication to a truly corn-to-cork operation underscores their profound connection to Texas and its agricultural bounty.

The Whiskey

At the core of Garrison Brothers' bourbon lies a sweet mash bill, carefully composed of 74% food-grade white corn, 15% red winter wheat, and 11% malted barley. This selection of locally sourced grains contributes significantly to the unique character of their spirits. Following fermentation, which typically spans four to five days using Garrison Brothers' proprietary yeast strain and can achieve a distillers' beer reaching 17-18% alcohol by volume, the liquid undergoes distillation in distinct copper pot stills. These include the substantial 2000-gallon "Big Johnson" and the venerable antique stills, "Copper Cowgirl" (100-gallon) and "Fat Man" (500-gallon), each playing a role in shaping the spirit's profile.

The nascent bourbon is then transferred to new, charred American white oak barrels, where it rests for a minimum of two years. It is during this crucial aging period that the intense Texas climate truly distinguishes Garrison Brothers' offerings. The scorching summers and dramatic temperature fluctuations accelerate the interaction between the spirit and the wood, leading to a profound extraction of color and flavor. This aggressive aging environment results in deeper hues, richer and more complex flavor development, and, notably, a higher rate of evaporation; the renowned "angel's share" is considerably more generous in Texas. The final proofing of the bourbon is achieved using pure Hill Country rainwater, captured directly at the ranch, further cementing its Texas identity. Each bottle then undergoes a meticulous hand-dipping in wax, performed by a dedicated assembly of volunteers, a testament to the distillery's commitment to artisanal detail.

The Reserve Whiskey Library of Garrison Brothers features a diverse range of acclaimed expressions. The Garrison Brothers Cowboy Bourbon, their flagship offering, stands as an uncut, unfiltered, hand-selected, limited-edition, cask-strength bourbon, often lauded with significant awards, including Best in Show at the American Craft Spirits Association awards in 2023. The Garrison Brothers Small Batch Bourbon represents their standard offering, meticulously crafted with a vintage strategy. For those seeking individuality, the Garrison Brothers Single Barrel Bourbon is hand-picked by Master Distiller Donnis Todd for its distinct personality; a specific barrel (Barrel #14242) was recognized as the World's Best Bourbon at the Las Vegas Global Spirit Awards in 2025. Unique finishing techniques are explored through expressions such as the Garrison Brothers Balmorhea Bourbon, twice-barreled in new American white oak, and the Garrison Brothers HoneyDew Bourbon, infused with Texas-grown Burleson's wildflower honey. Further innovation is evident in the Garrison Brothers Guadalupe Bourbon, a port-finished straight bourbon whiskey, and the Garrison Brothers Lady Bird Bourbon, which is infused with wildflower honey and finished in French Cognac casks. The Garrison Brothers Laguna Madre Bourbon benefits from aging in both American and French Limousin oak, while the Garrison Brothers Sonora Bourbon concludes its journey in rye whiskey barrels, adding a distinct layer of complexity. Finally, adhering to rigorous standards, the Garrison Brothers Bottled in Bond Bourbon is a six-year-old, 100-proof Texas bourbon. These diverse expressions collectively showcase the breadth and depth of the distillery's craft, earning numerous accolades, including Platinum Medals at The Chilled 100 Spirits Awards and TAG Global Spirits Awards, and Double Gold at the San Francisco World Spirits Awards.

Why It Matters

Garrison Brothers Distillery holds a pivotal place in the modern American whiskey narrative. As the inaugural legal whiskey distillery in Texas, it not only broke new ground but also proved that world-class bourbon could be produced outside of traditional regions like Kentucky, provided there is an unwavering commitment to quality and a deep understanding of local terroir. Their insistence on a truly "corn-to-cork" operation, utilizing Texas-grown grains and Hill Country rainwater, ensures an authenticity rarely matched. The unique aging environment of the Texas Hill Country, with its dramatic temperature swings, is not merely a geographic detail; it is a fundamental component of their bourbon's character, actively shaping its bold, rich flavor profile and contributing to its accelerated maturation. This natural accelerator allows for a profound interaction with the oak, yielding a complexity that belies its relative youth compared to some older expressions from cooler climates. Beyond the technical aspects, Garrison Brothers has cultivated a strong sense of community, evident in their volunteer-driven bottling process, which imbues each bottle with a tangible human touch. Their consistent recognition through prestigious national and international awards, including being named "Distillery of the Year" by the American Distilling Institute in 2023, underscores their significant contribution to elevating the craft spirits movement and offering those who appreciate good whiskey a truly distinctive and compelling experience. The distillery's dedication to its craft, its locale, and its community has made it a celebrated icon of Texas distilling, influencing the broader landscape of American whiskey production.

Visiting the Distillery

Garrison Brothers Distillery warmly welcomes visitors to their ranch in Hye, Texas, offering comprehensive guided tours designed to immerse guests in the world of Texas bourbon. These tours typically span 75 to 90 minutes, providing an insightful exploration of the property.