Here are five things you probably didn’t know about one of Texas’s most exciting whiskey makers.
1. Still Austin Makes Every Drop Themselves
Many whiskey brands in the United States source spirit from other distilleries rather than produce their own spirit. Still Austin, however, makes every drop.
It is one of the only true grain-to-glass distilleries in Texas, meaning they handle every step of production in-house, from milling locally grown grain to mashing, fermenting, distilling, barreling, and bottling.
Their 42-foot copper column still, built by Forsyths in Scotland and named “Nancy,” is a fixture in their South Austin distillery. The result is total control over quality and flavor.
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2. Texas Heat Supercharges the Aging Process
In Kentucky, whiskey might sit in a barrel for six or eight years before it reaches peak flavor. In Texas, things move faster. Still Austin’s core bourbon, “The Musician,” is typically aged at least two years, but thanks to the intense summer heat and wide temperature swings in the Lone Star State, the whiskey extracts flavor from the oak more quickly. Their Bottled-in-Bond series takes things further, aging for a minimum of four years and undergoing a slow water reduction process that mellows and deepens the flavor.
How long is Still Austin aged?
Most expressions age for 2 to 4 years, with the Texas climate accelerating maturation.
3. They Make Bourbon with Blue Corn
One of Still Austin’s most distinctive releases is its Blue Corn Bourbon, part of their seasonal Bottled-in-Bond series. Made with 26% blue corn in the mashbill, this whiskey showcases how heritage grains can impact flavor.
Blue corn adds a nutty richness and subtle fruitiness to the final spirit. Expect notes of fig jam, black cherry pie, allspice, hazelnut butter, caramel, marshmallows, and oak.
Still Austin also produces a Bottled-in-Bond bourbon made with red corn which, with to an additional year of aging, brings out nutty notes, fruit jam, and red velvet cake.
Still Austin, then, is no stranger to experimental mash bills. In fact, the distillery is known for it, along with its steadfast grain-to-glass approach.
4. The Labels Are as Austin as the Whiskey
The distillery also collaborates with local musicians and recently partnered with Antone’s, the city’s legendary blues venue, to host live shows at the distillery.
5. It’s Independently Owned by Three Austin Families
In a landscape increasingly dominated by conglomerates, Still Austin stands out for staying independent. The company was founded by three Austin families, including CEO Chris Seals and his father, Cleveland.
They built the distillery from the ground up with a clear mission: to make world-class whiskey that reflects the people and terroir of Central Texas. That local-first mentality drives everything from their sourcing to their community involvement.
Still Austin Whiskey Co. is a testament to what happens when you combine bold vision, serious craftsmanship, and a deep love of place. Whether you’re drawn in by the art, the grain, or the glass, this is one whiskey worth getting to know.
