Garrison Brothers Cowboy Bourbon Barrel Proof
Overview
Garrison Brothers Cowboy Bourbon Barrel Proof is the distillery's flagship Texas straight bourbon, crafted by selecting exceptional barrels early in maturation and batching them at full barrel strength after six years of aging. Annual releases since the 2013 inaugural edition highlight the bold impact of Texas's hot climate on rapid maturation and intense flavor development.
Specs at a glance
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Style | Texas Straight Bourbon |
| ABV | 70.5% (140.9 proof) |
| Mashbill | 74% Texas white corn, 15% red soft wheat, 11% malted barley |
| Release Info | 2023 edition from over 115 barrels yielding 9,600 bottles; MSRP $250 |
| Age | 6 years |
Good to know
Garrison Brothers Distillery, founded around 2006, set aside superior barrels for Cowboy from the outset, batching them into this high-proof expression. Texas's extreme heat accelerates evaporation—often limiting aging to two years—necessitating careful barrel selection and possibly smaller 30-, 53-, or custom 59-gallon sizes to preserve volume. The 2023 release allocated 1,000 bottles exclusively to the distillery gift shop.
Tasting notes
- Nose: Intense high-proof aromas shaped by Texas heat, delivering bold, unrefined notes from rapid oak interaction.
- Palate: Memorable waves of flavor marked by the mashbill's corn sweetness and wheat softness, though lacking full cohesion amid the 140.9 proof punch.
- Finish: Lingering heat underscores the barrel strength, with oak spice persisting from six years in new charred barrels.
Notable details
- Production: Barrel entry proof of 114, non-chill filtered, aged in new oak; Texas climate yields rapid maturation but challenges balance.
- Lineage: Garrison Brothers flagship since 2013, showcasing the distillery's craft approach in the challenging Texas terroir.
- Comparison: Stands apart from refined craft bourbons due to its bold, climate-driven profile, though value questioned at premium pricing.
- Availability: Strictly limited annual batches; 2023 production emphasized selectivity from peak-maturity barrels.
"Cowboy Bourbon 2023 is an exciting and unique high-proof Texas bourbon but falls short in refinement and value, making it hard to recommend at its price point." – The Bourbon Culture
Closing
A bold testament to Texas bourbon's potential, best for enthusiasts seeking unfiltered intensity over seamless polish.
Sources
[1] Thebourbonculture – "Garrison Brothers Cowboy Bourbon (2023) Review"
[2] Garrisonbros – "Cowboy Bourbon® - Garrison Brothers Distillery"
[3] Whiskeyreviewer – "Garrison Brothers Cowboy Bourbon Review (2017)"
[4] Whiskeyreviewer – "Garrison Brothers Cowboy Bourbon Review (2015)"
[5] Drinkhacker – "Review: Garrison Brothers Cowboy Bourbon (2024)"
[6] Drinkhacker – "Review: Garrison Brothers Cowboy Bourbon (2022)"
[7] Whiskeyreviewer – "Garrison Brothers Cowboy Bourbon Review (2025)"
[9] Bourbonguy – "Garrison Brothers Cowboy Bourbon 2023 — BOURBON GUY"
[10] Garrisonbros – "Cowboy Bourbon Round-Up - Garrison Brothers Distillery"
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