Distillery: Garrison Brothers
Mash Bill: 74% White Corn, 15% Wheat, 11% Barley
Age: NAS (four years in the first barrel, and another year in a custom finishing barrel)
Style: Straight Bourbon
ABV: 57.5% (115 Proof)
Price: $179.99
Overall: Balmorhea’s succulent, sweet profile is complex and memorable; and the company’s description of this whiskey as “Bourbon Candy” is on the mark — its both sweet and definitely tough to put down once you’ve started drinking. Everything is here for a great whiskey, but the price tag feels a bit steep at $179.
Background: Garrison Brothers, located in Hye, Texas, in Hill country, is the first legal distillery in Texas, which also makes it the oldest distillery in Texas. Everything about Garrison Brother’s is Texas, and their commitment to sourcing ingredients form local producers is evidence of that Texas pride. In addition to a Small Batch Bourbon, Single Barrel, and Cowboy whiskies, Garrison Brothers produces a variety very popular limited bottling, such as the the Laguna Madre, Guadalupe, and Lady Bird.
Balmorhea is named after Balmorhea State Park, which is itself named for three notable irrigation company owners in the area from the early 20th century. It is aged four years in new White American Oak, and then transferred to another new American Oak barrel customized by Master Distiller Donnis Todd, and aged for another year. The result is a unique, sweet whiskey that the company described as “Bourbon Candy.”
Nose: The medium nose is warm and inviting with caramel, leather, wood, and cinnamon rolls, and nicely sets the stage for the wash of balanced sweetness on the palate.
Palate: The palate is rich with raisins and dates, fresh baked cinnamon rolls, and root beer. Oak is definitely present, but it is not overwhelming and balances out the pastry notes. Very smooth for the high proof point. Easily drinkable at 115 proof.
Finish: Full oak tapering finish that retains all of the delicious sweetness, with some hints of dark chocolate to round out the medley.
Conclusion: No question this one is sweet, but all of the flavors come together to create a delicious bourbon begging for another neat pour. This is an excellent, well-made whiskey. The issue with Balmorhea is popularity and price; or, more accurately, how the popularity of Garrison Brothers limited release whiskey has recently driven up demand (and prices). Balmorhea would feel a little more reasonably priced at around $140, but this is a great whiskey and absolutely worth trying.
