Episode 115: Garrison Brothers - Balmorhea
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- čas přidán 20. 08. 2024
- Today we’re diving into some Texas Bourbon!! While there are tons of various Texas based distilleries, none are more prevalent than Garrison Brothers. This craft distillery that started in 2008 is based out of Hye Texas. They make a small batch, Honey infused bourbon, The Cowboy, their uncut unfiltered, a few others and most important they make the Balmorhea. This is a 5 year aged, double barreled bourbon coming in at 115 proof. The MSRP is $165 and is quite hard to find.
With that, I hope you enjoy today’s review and more important, if you get your hands on this Whiskey - I hope you enjoy it Cheers!!
All claims made here about alcohol, whether in this video, in this description, or on our channel, are intending only for those of legal drinking age. All links provided here should only be accessed by those of legal drinking age. Please enjoy your Bourbon responsibly.
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Bourbon Judge,
Thanks for the shout-out!
Texas Terrence is what they call me. 😀😃😀😃😀
In all seriousness, this review represents why I tune into your channel. No scrapple, just honest opinions.
Keep up the good work...
Terrence - have you ever samples a Balconies True Blue Cask Strength Store Pick? Came across a particular bottling in El Paso that was almost life changing.....lol!
@@kerino1 ,
I haven’t tried that bottle yet!
I’ll be stopping by Spec’s after work!
Thanks for the recommendation.
@@terrencelewis2081 Mine was intense butterscotch. Please let me know how yours turns out.
Thanks Terrence for the idea. It was a blast and glad I had a chance to bring Texas bourbon to the channel. Cheers to you sir....
@@kerino1 ,
Thanks for the Balconies recommendation!!!
I finally cracked it open with a few friends yesterday evening.
Delicious!!!
Loved touring Garrison Bros Distillery, so nice and nice people. It is great Bourbon but they are pricey
This is why I love your channel. I have had a couple of Garrison Brothers bottles of bourbon. The whiskey is good but so overpriced. Give me Wild Turkey Rare Breed or Old Forester 1920/1910 all day over Garrison Brothers.
Appreciate the kind words Rick. Definitely always try to keep it real and honest sir. Salute to you my friend.
I got to try this recently and I thought it was phenomenal - easily one of the best bourbons I've had. Interestingly, on the palate I got a ton of candied pecans and less bitter flavors, e.g. coffee like you got. It started out hot - I didn't realize it was *only* 115 proof - but it wasn't off-putting. The mouthfeel was like silk and the finish went on forever. All in all it checked all the boxes for me. At $165 it's definitely pricey, but at least for me, I'll throw it down if I see a bottle on the shelf. Cheers!
Well said! 🥃
Bourbon Judge, you should have worn a Cowboy hat 🤠. While getting your Texas Drink On.As always Thanks for your Honest Advice. You just saved me some money 💰
I tried hard to make the cowboy hat happen! 😉
Salvador that is hilarious. Yeah Mrs Judge tried convincing me, I held back on the Cowboy hat. Maybe next time tho lol. Cheers sir..
Save that for the Cowboy bourbon review
Like you said, it's so unique. When I first had it as a neck pour, there was such a punch of flavor and heat on the initial palate that I freaking LOVED. Then it faded to that Texas earthy sage taste that, depending on my mood, I like it or maybe not so much. And the finish drifted away pretty quick. So I was really torn.
Fast forward 5 or 6 months. Wow, what a difference. The earthy sage type spice note has taken a back seat, it's not so powerful up front (I wish that hadn't mellowed so much), and is a more balanced sip from start to finish. Time has served it well.
Only thing is that I wish it would've retained that powerful start.
I'd say it's a solid buy to try the style once, if you can afford it.
The Ironroot Harbinger is a very solid budget friendly option if your pockets aren't as deep and want to see what TX can deliver.
As always, well done your honor!
Jim you hit the nail on the head. Totally agree. Its a solid buy to try because its so different. However, yeah that version of the Ironroot is the more economically friendly version. Cheers sir and thanks for the comment.
Still one of my favorite whiskey channels ima big supporter
The mistrial what the heck lol which article is this court. What are your precedence pertaining to this case matter
Mojo my man.. yeah I land at a mistrial. The court room was all jammed up and couldn’t land on one easy decision lol.
I haven’t pulled the trigger on anything Garrison Brothers yet. Mainly bc of its prices. Like Ironroots tho. Cheers Bourbon Judge!
Adam.. good to hear from you. Yeah the price makes it a tough buy.
Yep expensive! Unless you go down and pick one up at the distillery. Couple of bucks off. TX Bourbon (not the blended version) is a good texas Bourbon.
Good stuff Russ. Don’t think I’ve tried that TX bourbon, seen it in the wild tho. Cheers sir
I actually just toured the distillery a few days ago and it was 179 in the gift shop. I tried a pour of it for $15 and it was fantastic!! Loved it
I did get to taste the honey barrel, damn delicious. But their prices, come on it's like buying electricity in Texas.
Electricity during a 100-year snow storm!
@@rayk1411 had one in 2007 too.
Lol like buying electricity in Texas...
Another great review for The Judge
Thanks Thomas... appreciate you
Got a bottle last year for Father's Day and I love it. Ironroot Harbinger or Balcones Blue Corn Bourbon are great, more affordable option.
Nice..... I gotta try that Balcones Blue Corn...had a different Balcones but not the blue. Thanks Lawrence
I’ve had the best whiskey that Kentucky has to offer and I would take Garrison Brothers Cowboy and Balmorhea over all of it. Their Cowboy is the best I’ve ever had and is worth the $200 price tag.
Wow- strong statement. I hear you though!!!!
Had a sample of this from a friend and it was great. Very unique but rewarding. It’s just so pricey. Same with other GB like small batch. Good stuff but the price tag hurts.
Yeah the price tag of all their stuff is a bit much. No doubt... salute
Had us sitting on the edge of seat there, Bourbon Judge! I actually saw the Cowboy Bourbon on the shelf yesterday in Dallas at a store that does not mark up for secondary but I didn't pull the trigger as I can buy so many great bottles for $300 rather than just that one bottle. The most I've spent so far on one bottle of bourbon has been ~$175 for WT Master's Keep 17-yr BiB. I just can't drop way more than that for craft. Now, if I had millions in discretionary income like you, then maybe. BTW, you gotta try Ironroot Harbinger.
Lol RayK you have me cracking up laughing... omg Too funny. Man I wish I had 1 million, yet alone millions... haha yeah its alot of $$ for one bottle. I hear ya... cheers sir
Hey bourbon judge. Glad you decided to review this particular bottle because i have been on the fence about whether or not to pickup 1 of these .have tried a couple of other texas bourbons and thought they were just okay but nothing special so i was reluctant to spend $165.00 on a bottle i wasn't sure i would like.
Great review as usual.
Thanks
Thanks Greg... yeah it’s definitely tough to spend $165 on a bottle. I’d totally recommend seeing if you can find it at a bourbon bar first. Cheers sir
Great review, with a surprise ending!! Here’s my new deal, I have to stop myself from spending over $100 for a bottle, when there are so many great ones under $80. There may be an occasional exception, but that is going to be my new rule...right after my Alberta Premium Cask Strength Rye gets here on Wednesday
Lol Tony you have me cracking up. Right after my Alberta CS arrives! I hear you.. lol too funny
@@BourbonJudge And, dammit, I’m in TN visiting my grandkids and just spent $130 on a Bardstown Discovery 3, and I’m going over to KY tomorrow to a store called the Bourbon Barn...I’m so screwed!
@@tonylema5334 lol. That’s awesome Tony. Enjoy the time with your family. That’s excellent. And definitely enjoy the bourbon hunting in KY. As they say, when in Rome :). Lol cheers
Just got a bottle this weekend!! Wow, really good!! It is so different from anything I’ve had before!!
Yes sir pops. It’s completely different! Glad you enjoyed it sir. Cheers
Great Job .... Enjoyable
Thanks Steven
I cant wait to get a pour. Even in Texas finding just a pour isn't easy unless you're in a big city. Hope you didn't regret what you traded for it.
Would love this brand if their price point wasn't so high honestly. I know as a newer distillery its difficult, but so hard to reach for this bottle at $100+ when so many sub-$100 bottles are starring me down. Sorry, not sorry Texas
Lol Djonesy.. too funny!
Bourbon Judge - I've been to a couple of Harrison Bros tastings/presentations, and they claim their price is reflective of their high input costs, re barrels and organic corn. I believe them, but it does cause a slight aversion. Some of the Total Wine store picks I've tried have been near magical. Only pulled the trigger on one, though. Looking forward to see what you pull out of your (cowboy) hat next!! Cheers Your Honour!
Makes total sense Kerino. Thanks for the insight and gosh I bet those store picks were amazing! This Sunday’s review is going to be another fun episode. Cheers sir!!!
I live in Texas and met the owner of Garrison Bros at my local Total wine. Nice guy but it doesn't change the fact that they are overpriced and overhyped. Just not impressed.
Oh wow that’s cool you met him. They seem like great people but agree, overpriced.
Hope you been good brother been seeing these and Smoke Wagon UCUF alot lately grabbed one of the latter earlier this week Cheers bro
PS that JD 2020 lookin empty as my first bottle hopin u have a backup!!!
Lol you have a good eye Mojo... yeah I found a back up..thank goodness lol
Cheers my man. Good to hear from you brother. That UCUF is so damn good. Cheers
You know I can send my boy another sample of the Cowboy for a review!!!
You’re a good man Brian. Thanks brother but I can’t ask for that, you’re too kind. I appreciate you my friend! Cheers
I think I was spoiled. The first bottle I purchased was the cowboy LE. Then I tried the one you’re reviewing now. This one left me totally confused. I am allowing it to breath so I can revisit it. Everything about it was dark.
Nice... the LE. I bet that was amazing!
@@BourbonJudge oh man it’s incredible! Definitely a buy!
Shame you didn’t at least try the Honeydew (the 80 proof honey “infused”) you missed out possibly one of, if not the best, honey infused bourbons. It’s no wears near as sweet as every other honey infused bourbon. Even thought it’s “only” 80 proof it still has that Texas bourbon bite that makes it feel a little more than what it is. The only knock I can give it is its price. $85-$90 for an infused bourbon is a bit steep in my opinion but when you’re getting the best it might be worth it. Definitely think you should try it before knocking it just because it’s low proof.
Keep the videos coming man I enjoyed it!
Absolutely Jay. Thanks for the comment.
Unable to get these in my area bucket
List bourbon for sure maybe need to vacation in TX and stop by the distillery cheers your honor be well
Absolutely Donn. If you get there... enjoy yourself my friend. Cheers
You sir know more about Texas pronunciation than the employees in the local liquor stores. It's rare to find someone who knows how to pronounce Balmorhea. I have two of them and three Cowboy bottles. I think they are fine drinking.
Thanks the X of Texas. Wow 3 Cowboy bottles, now Im jealous. That is damn good!!
@@BourbonJudge Now I have to figure out what to do with three medals. Oh, the problems. Good review, good channel. Wish you much success.
@@thexoftexas4267 ; those medals are pretty darn cool! Lol cheers
Just acquired the small batch variant and I dig it. ill but another bottle, for sure.
Good stuff
Mistrial!!! lol nice ! I don't think i could spend $165 for this. That's more than my 2020 George T Stagg. The only time I spent that kind of money is when I bought my 2020 Four Roses LE, which I REALLY wanted ...
I hear ya Blake....
Great review! Cheers 🥃
Thanks Richard.. much appreciated. Cheers sir
Just saw this year's. Looks like Texas desert lightning in a bottle.... or barrel if you got the pony.
Lol
Nice review, sir!
Gracias Coby
Another day in court.
Cheers my friend
Great review, I passed on one of these last week in Kansas City. Store owner said it was good but possible not $165 good. I bought jack single barrel barrel proof, WT rare breed, and eagle rare for my $165ish price. What would you recommend spending your $165 on. Thanks, Chris
Great options... fantastic choices. Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend is $155-165 ish. I’d buy that all day long. Cheers Chris
Have not had any Harrison Brothers bourbon or actually any Texas whiskey. Out of curiosity what glass do you prefer, the Norlan or the Glencarin?
Hmm great question. I like them both but I prefer the Norlan for bourbons 120 proof or less. And I like the Glencairn for those super bold Barrel Proof 130 proof bad boys. They allow me to nose it better...
Now that you mention it I didn't realize but I kinda use the same method. Thank you.
Great review thank you. Yeah at $165 you’re talking waaay north of Elijah Craig Barrel Proof price and a bit higher than Stagg Jr. price, it better taste better than both at such a high price and I know it does not.
Lol I hear ya Bob… cheers
I quessed you’re verdict! GB is great whiskey but way overpriced! It’s good to have in your collection though
Absolutely agree Hollis. Cheers sir
It’s $229 in Florida……
I live in TX and don’t drink GB due to the price tag 😂
I feel ya!!!
First!
That’s awesome! Thanks Septian
Drain pour completely disgusting
Love Garrison Bros but yes a bit overpriced