Garrison Brothers Balmorhea Texas Straight Bourbon (750mL)

Balmorhea is a combination of three surnames: Balcom, Morrow, Rhea. These three were an irrigation collective in the area of the distillery in the early 20th century. Garrison’s family first enjoyed the place as a state park swimming spot: a giant freshwater pool built around the San Solomon springs.

The 1.3 acre pool was a New Deal project completed just after the Great Depression. After over fifty years, the wall enclosing the pool began to collapse.

Garrison Brothers began fundraising in 2018 to sponsor the repair, and Balmorhea Texas Straight Bourbon Whiskey was born. Their efforts, combined with those of other Texas companies and thousands of individual donors, made reopening the pool possible in 2019.

This magnificent Texas Straight Bourbon Whiskey is bold but majestically-crafted, having been aged four years in new American white oak barrels, then transferred to a second new American white oak barrel, and aged for one year.

This bourbon is lauded for a reason. It's rich and special, the kind of stuff you want to sit with and think about...it's just gorgeous. Certainly worth your time if bourbon is one of your loves.

Simply put, this 2-time US Micro Whisky of the Year (winning Jim Murray’s American Micro Whiskey of the year not once, but for two years running) and San Francisco Double Gold winner is bourbon candy in a bottle.

Balmorhea Texas Straight Bourbon Tasting Notes:

Color: Balmorhea is a very clear deep mahogany, like strong sweet tea. It coats the glass and quickly forms thick tears. This bottle came in a fancy black box and included a medal proclaiming Murray’s accolades.

Aroma: The nose is sweet cedar and brown sugar mingled with dark cherry and pipe tobacco.

Palate: Nutmeg on the approach, followed by straight sweet shop: milk chocolate and candied walnuts, caramel sauce. It’s pleasantly syrupy in mouthfeel. Cherry cola works into the mid palate, with a tiny bit of black tea tannin on the back.

Finish: medium-long finish has a saline, savory note.