Garrison Brothers Distillery
Quick Overview of the Distillery
Garrison Brothers sits on a hill in Hye, Texas, and presents itself as the home to the first legally registered whiskey distillery in the state. The distillery produces bourbon in a full 'grain-to-glass' workflow, where the grain is milled, cooked, distilled, barrel-aged and bottled on site. The combination of handcrafted process, premium ingredients, and the strong influence of Texas heat makes the place notable for both locals and collectors.
History
First legally registered whiskey distillery in Texas
Garrison Brothers is described as the first legally registered whiskey distillery in Texas. The story of 'The Garrison Story' describes a personal and challenging journey for the founder, which ended with the establishment of the distillery in Hye and the production of their bourbon. Since opening, the company has expanded its range and established a well-attended visitor program with concerts, release parties and other events.
Raw Materials and Production
All of the production chain takes place in Hye: the grain is milled, cooked, distilled, barreled and bottled on site, described as a true 'grain-to-glass' expression. There is emphasis on craftsmanship and small batches, and the heat of the Texas climate is mentioned as a factor influencing maturation. Packaging and bottling underline the craftsmanship; each bottle is sealed with a cork, tied with deerskin-lace and wax-dipped. Volunteers participate during special bottling sessions, where community, food and fellowship are part of the experience.
Maturation and Cask Types
The distillery uses traditional barrel aging and experiments with finishing finishes under its Ranch Reserve program. Ranch Reserve is highlighted as a forum to try different finishing casks and to release only the casks that deliver the desired quality. The warm local climate is emphasized as a significant factor in how the spirit develops in the wood during aging.
Whiskies
The range includes core releases such as Small Batch, Boot Flask, Single Barrel, Bottled in Bond and Cowboy Bourbon®, as well as named and limited releases such as Laguna Madre, Hye Rye and Sonora. Additionally there are series and collections such as Ranch Reserve and Texas Treasures, which house more exclusive and sought-after bottles. The products range in strength from about 80 to 140 proof, and the releases include both recurring core items and periodic limited releases.
| Whisky | Type / Series | Finish & Style | Flavor Profile | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small Batch | Current; Core lineup | |||
| Boot Flask | Current; Core lineup | |||
| HoneyDew | Current; Core lineup | |||
| Single Barrel | Current; Core lineup | |||
| Balmorhea | Current; Core lineup | |||
| Guadalupe® | Current; Core lineup | |||
| Lady Bird | Current; Core lineup | |||
| Cowboy Bourbon® | Bourbon | Current; Core lineup | ||
| Laguna Madre | Laguna Madre is released as a limited edition with a release party planned in 2026. | Limited | ||
| Sonora | Current; Core lineup | |||
| Bottled in Bond | Bourbon | Current; Core lineup | ||
| Hye Rye | Hye Rye is described as one of the company's most sought-after releases and is sold periodically as presale or limited release. | Limited | ||
| Ranch Reserve (Series) | Finishing casks (varied); finish: Ranch Reserve series focuses on finishing barrels and special selections of casks. | Ranch Reserve is a program where the distillery explores and releases selected casks with special finishing treatments. | Current | |
| Texas Treasures (Collection) | Texas Treasures is a collection of bourbons created to celebrate places, stories and the spirit of Texas; the collection is described as rare and sought-after. | Limited; Limited / collectible |
General Flavor Profile
Visiting the Distillery
The distillery is open to visitors and offers guided tours, tastings and educational sessions, as well as a physical shop. Hye also serves as an event venue with concerts under 'Hye Note', release parties and larger events such as Hye Steaks Cookout and Red, White & Bourbon. Visitors are encouraged to plan their trip via the 'Plan Your Visit' material, and the website contains a calendar and details of upcoming events.
Philosophy and Craft
Garrison Brothers builds its approach on a 'grain-to-glass' principle and a handcrafted workflow with a focus on quality in ingredients and process. The company chooses to release only the finishes that meet their quality standards, and underscores the craftsmanship through details such as cork closures, deerskin-lace and wax-dipped bottles.
Latest News
2026 Laguna Madre Release – 2026-08-08
Laguna Madre is released with a release party at the distillery on August 8, 2026, with the event scheduled to begin at 8:00 AM.