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Garrison Brothers Cowboy Bourbon Review

Can a 141-proof Texas bourbon be bold and balanced? We taste Garrison Brothers' 12th Cowboy Bourbon release to find out if this uncut beast is worth the hunt.

OVERALL RATING

9
$249.99
  • Charles Steele is an attorney and whiskey enthusiast with a penchant for the peculiar.
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Tasting Notes

About:

Garrison Brothers has announced that its 2026 Cowboy Bourbon was released at its distillery in Hye, Texas, on Saturday, September 12, 2026. The first 1,000 bottles of the cask-strength, uncut, and unfiltered Texas Straight Bourbon Whiskey went on sale at 8 a.m. that day.

The 2026 edition marks the 12th release of Cowboy Bourbon. It was bottled at 141 proof, with 16,000 bottles produced.

Each barrel was hand-selected by Master Distiller Donnis Todd and aged for at least eight years. The marked barrels are set aside for additional maturation in the Texas climate. “It comes on strong at first, but the depth of flavor quickly draws you in,” said Donnis Todd, Master Distiller at Garrison Brothers Distillery. “A lasting flood of warmth gives way to layers of dried fruit and toasted marshmallows, creating a bold Texas finish that keeps you coming back for another sip.”

First released in 2013, Cowboy Bourbon helped put Garrison Brothers and Texas on the national bourbon map.
Appearance:
Deep clear old oak in color, with thick, slow legs that hold onto the glass. Tasted neat, after resting, in a Glencairn.
Nose:
This is a boquet! We start with dark cigar wrapper, cactus, and cowboy leather. It evolves into sweeter aromas of complex sugars, hints of drying figs and apricots. The nose is complimentary but darkly sweet.
Palate:
Oily mouthfeel and a cinnamon bomb. Dried dark cherries give way to african vanilla and grain leather. Buttery richness about the midpalate with lovely fruits. The end is complex with showy hot spots of lightness like eucalyptus as you drink.
Finish:
Bitter dark choclate with a surprising quick finish. Lingering notes of mature but not overly aged oak. Maintain the sweetness without overtones.
Comments:
This takes a minute to mature in the glass given the high ABV, but once it opens up, it opens! The notes are mature and sweet, with a tender balance with the earth tones.

There is a richness to the warmth here and moments of explosivity which keep you on your toes as a consumer. This is meant ot be shared, and with just a hint of water, it opens even more of the softer notes. While I wouldn’t recommend more than one glass of this at a time given the ABV, I would strongly recommend a glass!

Editor’s Note: This whiskey was either bought as a sample by The Whiskey Wash or provided to us as a review sample by the party behind it. Per our editorial policies, this in no way influenced the outcome of this review.

Charles Steele

Charles Steele, a Portland-based attorney, is a native of the Pacific Northwest. His legal background provides him with an analytical approach to understanding whiskey and other aged spirits. Primarily a legal writer, freelancing for The Whiskey Wash offers Charles a unique opportunity to showcase his versatility as a writer. Although his preference lies with whiskey and whiskey-based cocktails, he has a profound appreciation for all unique and unconventional liquors, from Malört to Ojen - if it's peculiar, he's intrigued.

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Garrison Brothers Cowboy Bourbon Review

November 12, 2026

Can a 141-proof Texas bourbon be bold and balanced? We taste Garrison Brothers’ 12th Cowboy Bourbon release to find out if this uncut beast is worth the hunt.

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