Garrison Brothers 2021 Cowboy Bourbon Rides Off To Retail

Texas bourbon distillery Garrison Brothers is known out of the Lone Star State for having introduced the first bourbon whiskey legally made in Texas in 2010. They have a very loyal fan base that enjoys the different bottlings in their line up, and one of the top tier of these is the annual Cowboy Bourbon. The 2021 version of this high octane offering is now heading to retail.

The Garrison Brothers 2021 Cowboy Bourbon, according to those behind it, clocks in at 131.3 proof this time around, making it a monster of a drinker. It is uncut and unfiltered, drawn from barrels hand-selected by the distillery’s master distiller Donnis Todd. Those barrels are then set aside for several more years for further maturation and the liquid is bottled at cask-strength.

“The 2021 Cowboy Bourbon will make you reevaluate your circle of friends,” said Todd in a prepared statement.

Garrison Brothers 2021 Cowboy Bourbon (image Garrison Brothers)

One sign of the popularity of this expression is the annual release of it at the distillery in the tiny town of Hye, Texas. 1,000 bottles were offered up in late September to a drive-through event on a first come first serve basis to purchase only one bottle each. As with past years, the line this year for the Cowboy release event with Todd on hand signing bottles, began the day before. All the bottles sold out in less than two hours.

All total 5,440 bottles of Cowboy Bourbon will be distributed come mid-October to liquor stores, bars, and restaurants, as well as military bases across the 42 states where Garrison Brothers is sold. Each bottle comes packaged in a custom-built solid wood gift box lined with a satin pillow and weighty medallion emblazoned with the release year around the bottle’s neck. The price point is set at around $230.

Official tasting notes for this bourbon indicate it to be “an inviting expression with aromas of sweet pipe tobacco, full-grain leather and fresh-baked banana nut bread. Floral opening notes of wildflower honey and sparkling plum soda can be tasted. The tasting notes also include a warm raspberry chocolate pie drizzled with whipped ganache and chocolate covered Luxardo cherries paired with fine Armagnac for a dessert finish.”