The First Legal Distillery in Texas

The first legal distillery in Texas was Garrison Brothers Distillery, founded in 2004 by Dan Garrison in Hye, Texas. Garrison had a passion for bourbon and wanted to create a whiskey that was true to the Texas spirit. He started small, with just a few barrels of whiskey, but his dream quickly grew.

Garrison Brothers Bourbon is made from a mash bill of 70% corn, 20% rye, and 10% malted barley. The corn gives the bourbon its sweetness, the rye adds spice, and the malted barley provides complexity. The bourbon is distilled in a copper pot still, which helps to preserve the flavor of the grain.

Garrison Brothers Distillery is located in the Texas Hill Country, a region known for its warm climate and rolling hills. The distillery uses this unique climate to its advantage, aging its whiskey in charred oak barrels for at least two years. The combination of the hot climate and the oak barrels gives Garrison Brothers Bourbon its distinctive flavor.

Garrison Brothers Bourbon is bottled at 100-proof, which is the highest proof for a legal bourbon in the United States. This high proof gives the bourbon its full flavor and character.

Garrison Brothers Bourbon has won numerous awards, including the Double Gold Medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition. It is considered to be one of the best bourbons in the world.

The success of Garrison Brothers Distillery has inspired other distilleries to open in Texas. There are now over 100 legal distilleries in the state, producing a wide variety of spirits, including bourbon, rye, vodka, and gin.

The Texas whiskey industry is growing rapidly, and it is expected to continue to grow in the years to come. Texas is now considered to be a leading producer of whiskey in the United States.

Here are some current comments about the Texas whiskey industry:

• The Texas whiskey industry is booming. There are now over 100 legal distilleries in the state, producing a wide variety of spirits.
• Texas whiskey is gaining national and international recognition. Garrison Brothers Bourbon has won numerous awards, including the Double Gold Medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition.
• The Texas climate is ideal for aging whiskey. The hot, dry climate helps to mellow the flavors and create a smooth, flavorful whiskey.
• Texas whiskey is a great way to experience the unique flavors of the Lone Star State.

I hope you enjoyed this story about the first distillery in Texas. If you are ever in the Hill Country, be sure to stop by Garrison Brothers Distillery and sample their award-winning bourbon.

About the Author

A native of Texas, Ken “Texan” Pierce is a renowned alcohol aficionado with over 15 years of experience in the Texas wine, whiskey, and beer industry. With a vast number of alcohol production resources right in his back yard in the Texas Hill Country, Ken has made it his mission to promote and advance the Texas winemaking, distilling, and brewing industry across the country.  His uncanny ability to identify tasting notes and pairings makes him a respected authority within alcohol enthusiast circles. When he’s not reviewing the latest craft spirits, you can find Ken playing his guitar, trying to sing, and sipping on a Texas libation.