Garrison Brothers Small Batch 3 Years 2022 | Whiskey Review
Physical Whisky Characteristics
- Origin: Texas, USA
- Type: Texas Straight Bourbon Whiskey
- Distillation and Maturation Process: Aged for three years in oak barrels, with custom-made casks featuring thicker staves to combat the high evaporation rates due to Texas' extreme heat. This adaptation is aimed at providing more resistance to evaporation and better suits the hot climate.
- Age Statement: 3 years
- Color and Clarity: Not explicitly described, but the whiskey is implied to have a rich color due to its maturation process.
- Bottle Design: The bottle features a large star molded into the wax at the top, symbolizing Texas, the Lone Star State. It also includes details such as corn variety, bottle number, and release date, emphasizing its small-batch and premium nature.
Whisky Flavor Profile
- The Garrison Brothers Small Batch Bourbon presents a unique and complex flavor profile, characterized by a strong oak presence and a distinctive sweetness. Unlike typical bourbons, it doesn't heavily lean on vanilla or caramel notes but instead offers a fruity and sweet taste with hints of apples and a notable oaky sweetness. The whiskey also exhibits a creamy texture with a slightly dry and crunchy finish, maintaining a robust oak flavor throughout.
Whisky Storytelling
- The Garrison Brothers are proud of their local production, emphasizing a "from corn to cork" philosophy that highlights the use of local ingredients. The distillery's adaptation to Texas' challenging climate, including the use of thicker staves in their barrels, showcases their innovative approach to whiskey-making.
Cultural or Geographical Significance
- The whiskey embodies the spirit of Texas, not only through its packaging, which features the iconic Lone Star, but also through its production process that takes into account the state's extreme temperatures. The use of local ingredients and the adaptation to the climate underscore the whiskey's deep roots in its Texan identity.
Expert Opinions and Noteworthy Quotes
- "The Texas climate is really something... it has a strong oak in it. I love it."
- "This is something different... when I had it on my lips, it was just like sugary... When you have it in your mouth, it's just so much oak."
- "Really three years how much oak you put in there."
- The whiskey is described as "very well made," despite its relatively young age and the challenges posed by the Texas climate.
Summary
- Garrison Brothers Small Batch 2022 is a Texas Straight Bourbon Whiskey aged for three years.
- It features a unique flavor profile with a strong oak presence and a distinctive, non-traditional sweetness.
- The whiskey is produced with local ingredients and custom-made casks to adapt to Texas' extreme climate.
- It embodies Texan pride and innovation in whiskey-making.
- Priced at 130 euros in Germany, it's considered a premium whiskey, potentially more affordable in the US, especially Texas.
Recommendations for Different User Profiles
- Whiskey Enthusiasts: Those interested in exploring bourbons with unique flavor profiles and production stories.
- Collectors: Individuals looking for small-batch, region-specific whiskeys with distinctive packaging.
- Adventurous Drinkers: Those keen on trying whiskeys from different climates and geographical regions, especially ones that challenge traditional maturation processes.