Info Shots

• Price: ~$189.99 (2023)
• Spirit: Whiskey (Texas Whiskey/Bourbon)
• Proof: 114 Proof (57% alcohol)
• Noses (smell): Dusty, Honey, Vanilla (But very little of it)
• Palate (taste): Dried Red fruits, Honey, Sweetness of cognac, Cherry wood flavor (almost like a sherry finish)

Distiller information

Background

Garrison Brother is one of those unique distilleries that is still privately owned and making some of the top bourbons in the whiskey industry. They were founded in 2005 with the goal to make some of the best bourbon in the world. Their first year didn’t go to plan when the entire lot of whiskey exploded from the intense Texas summer that can hit as high as 130 degrees Fahrenheit. That didn’t deter them in the least as the went back the next batch with stronger barrels and ended up making some whiskey that in there own world “Good Bourbon can change the world”.

Their biggest claim to their brand is that they are making whiskey with the highest grade corn that they can obtain in Texas which is Food Grade #1 White Corn. The intense heat from summers also provide the other unique characteristic that is known for this brand. The heat causes the liquid that is aging to age at a rate that is estimated to be three(3) times faster than Tennessee and Kentucky whiskies. Thus an 8 year old whiskey from here is the equivalent to an 18 year bourbon from someone like Elijah Craig.

Lady Bird is the step up for Honey Dew in the line of products that they . Its known for its rich flavors that are long and complex. Garrison brothers describes the product as the following:

Inspired by the legacy of its namesake, Lady Bird Johnson, this exceptional bourbon honors her commitment to the environment and native wildflowers. To craft this masterpiece, Donnis begins with our Texas Straight Bourbon Whiskey aged 4-5 years in new white American oak barrels, then infuses it with Burleson’s Wildflower Honey for 8-9 months, creating the exquisite Cask Strength HoneyDew. The honey-infused bourbon is further aged in exceptional French Cognac XO casks for an additional 3 years, resulting in a harmonious blend of unparalleled flavor and elegance.

Our Lady Bird Bourbon greets you with the inviting aroma of freshly cut grass and sweet honey accompanied by subtle notes of black cocoa waffle cone and honey wafers, creating a warm and enticing experience. As you take your first sip, true decadence unfolds on the palate: the rich taste of warm buckwheat pancakes, dark chocolate-covered cherries and malted milk balls. The complex profile also includes the indulgent essence of cognac cherries, dried figs and plums, offering a luxuriously unique tasting experience. The finish is long and satisfying; lingering on the tongue, leaving a lasting impression of the succulence derived from the harmonious marriage of honey and cognac flavors.

-Tasting Notes

Like all of our bourbons, Lady Bird begins its life as our distinguished Small Batch Bourbon Whiskey. Master Distiller Donnis Todd selects barrels of this nectar that already display notes of honey, and delicately infuses them with Burleson’s Texas Wildflower Honey for an additional 8-9 months. The liquid then ages in exquisite French Cognac XO casks for an additional 3 years, resulting in a harmonious blend of unparalleled flavor and elegance. This double-finished masterpiece reflects the perfect balance between sweet honey notes and the rich complexity of cognac.

Garrison Brothers Distillery. (2023, September 27). https://www.garrisonbros.com

Onto the Review

Temperature

The dryness similar to Guadalupe is there with the mild undertone of honey to come in. The sweetness of the cognac finish is ever present as always making this a delectable treat to sip and chew. This strong dried fruit flavor comes on strong in the initial tasting that is then proceeded by that dryness almost every time. With each sip, as the flavors dance and linger on the palate, you find yourself irresistibly drawn to take another, each one a tantalizing invitation for more.

At first, pinpointing the wood flavor proved elusive, wavering between the familiar notes of sherry and an intriguing hint of something else. Yet, with each thoughtful sip and contemplation, the essence began to reveal itself. Gradually, the initial impression of sherry evolved into a nuanced symphony of cherry wood, its distinctive flavor unfolding with each successive taste, leaving us convinced of its delightful presence.

That right I said chew, and what I mean is to take it from front to just about the middle of your tongue until you salivate. When that occurs, you can proceed to swallow and enjoy the flavors of a chewed bourbon.

Conclusion

This is a unique and honestly one of the few bourbons I wish they made more of. This in one of the most unique bourbons that I think everyone should try at least once in their life. If you only needed one of the Garrison Brothers to own as well, it would be this one. But I don’t do that as I collect them all.

The unique characteristics that this bourbon picks up on is hands down one of the pleasures of drinking this spirit. The base of honeydew and the cognac play together in this symphony of flavors that one can only describe as heaven.

If your a fan of following, I’d say buy this every day of the week. It really encompasses these three very well on all accounts

• Cowboy
• Guadalupe
• Honey Dew

It is hands down one of the best bottles produced from this brand and we here at WhiskeyDR are looking forward to the next release. We highly recommend this bottle to anyone who enjoys Garrison Brothers and hope you can grab one as soon as you can

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