Garrison Brothers Single Barrel Bourbon, Barrel Proof

Rating: 15/23 This is getting close to empty and I'm realizing that I only rated it the one time shortly after I first got it. I think I like it better than I did then, but how much more do I like it? I'll see. N: Sawdusty wood with some mineral that I never noticed before trying Garrison Brothers Balmorhea. A bit of orange zest leading into some tartness that is more of what I'd expect from a sour mash bourbon. There's some chocolate as well, adding just a touch of sweetness and keeping this from smelling overly tannic. P: Rich and fairly full, though I am getting some minerals. Sawdust with cinnamon and more creamy chocolate than I expected. I'm actually getting quite a bit of creamy milk chocolate. There's a bit of vanilla as well. There's some interesting nuance in how the vanilla and chocolate interact. Sort of like Godiva Chocolate Liqueur. That part is pretty tasty. The wood tannins are present, but quite mellow. They really don't get in the way. The sawdust flavor isn't ideal, but it certainly doesn't taste over-oaked. The burn is a bit much, though this is 59.55% ABV. Still, its a bit of a sharp young spirits bite that's just a little harsh. F: A lot of vanilla and chocolate with a faint tartness and faint sawdust. It certainly isn't the fullest finish, but this is actually a darned tasty one. It's surprisingly rare that the two best notes from the palate are the dominant ones on the finish. A bit of minerality as well, but it isn't too bad. It's a fairly short finish though. And now I'm starting to get a bit more tannins and a touch of orange peel. - Conclusion - I'm enjoying this enough that I think it has to be at least a 15. I'm not wowed by it though, so I'm unlikely to rate it super high. On to side-by-sides, Early Times Bottled In Bond (15/23) competes well with this in richness and fullness, also having a hedonistic flavor. I'm getting a touch of chocolate out of the Early Times that I don't remember from past tastings, so I'm inclined to think that I've overstated the chocolate decadence of this dram. The only thing that made this possibly excellent was the chocolate, so I don't think that this is likely to be better than a 16 at this point. I definitely taste the greater maturity of the Early Times. Russell's Reserve 10 (15-16/23) definitely has more minerality than this does and it tastes flatter. I'm kind of preferring this side by side. George Dickel Bottled In Bond (the first release) (16/23) seems just as rich and full as this though and it lacks that youthful bite. Between the two, I'm inclined to label the Dickel the winner. I kind of appreciate the relaxed age of my bottle of George Dickel Single Barrel 15 (15/23) side by side with this. The Dickel is actually reveals some complexity that I didn't notice before and the excessive oak bothers me a little bit less. This is a tough call to make, but it's either a 15 or a 16. Not a good value in either case. Seeing as the only actual 16 I have here soundly beats this and the 15s aren't definitely inferior, I'm going to give this a high 15. Even for Garrison Brothers aged in a barn in the Texas heat, 3 years is not long enough. And now I'm starting to find Russell's Reserve 10 to be on the same level as (or perhaps slightly better than) this. I think a 15 is definitely warranted. In the end, it's that youthful harshness and slightly weak flavor that holds this back. Yep, a 15.

Nose: heavy caramel. Very sweet too. Rich syrupy Palate: lots and lots of cinnamon. Not super sweet. Rich in flavor but almost like a rye, except you get corn. You can tell how young it is. Finish: spicy finish and hot. Overall: young and high proof. Could be better if aged I think. I love the color though, Super super dark (due to Texas). 123.2 proof and 3 years old at $150. It was a gift to me but honestly I wouldn’t pay a dime over $30 for this. It’s just way too young and no depth. Rating this on price btw

High menthol nose, very, very smooth, slight brown sugar and vanilla, little coriander/ nutmeg spice but had a "off" nutty yet medicinal finish

I have heard high praise on Garrison bottles so when a friend was heading to Florida on vacation I asked him to check out the local Total Wine. He returned with a store pick BP for me which wasn't ideal since it was pricey without much info, but I'm glad to have one to taste and share. Nose is... well first let's talk about this color... this dram just looks sexy with its dark amber tone. Not sure if it is the mash, the barrel, or some black magic, but it's damn pretty. Now back to the nose... vanilla and caramel tend to pop out here for me. Honestly it's almost like a vanilla Coke. Surprisingly there is not a heavy ethanol presence despite the 120 proof point. First sip is pretty hot from the start and that corn comes through off the bat. There is a sudden rush of flavor after that initial habanero heat that floods you with caramel, brown sugar, and cinnamon warmth. As the sun sets the barrel char starts to take the stage and you get some real toasting (maybe this should be a breakfast pour with it's maple syrup French toast notes). The closing just lingers a bit with that soft cinnamon heat before finally fading away. So I have heard the debates out of Kentucky and Tennessee that no one else can make great whiskey. It's too hot in Texas, there's not enough fluctuations in climate and temp, etc. Fortunately I don't buy it after trying whiskeys from a number of places that have been excellent. This is a really good bottle. At $150 it needs to be better for me though. The burn on the front end might send many drinkers to find some ice (which is great if that's how you like to sip). The middle and finish save this dram for me. I definitely want to grab the double barrel version and maybe a bottle of Cowboy, but at this price the value isn't there for me to be seeking out another of the single barrels.

Garrison Brothers "Giddy Up" Single Barrel Cask Strength - Canals Mt Ephraim Store Pick, 4.5 year, 125.1 Proof Bottom line: I loved this from the neck pour; squarely in the full-powered, flavor-bomb camp of whiskeys. Don't let price be the reason you miss out on this fantastic bottle. Review based on the second pour from my bottle a day after opening. Nose: Honey and Port! Despite being unfinished, it carries more of those notes than many finished whiskeys I've had. I want this in a candle. Also, subtly, dark chocolate, raisin, burnt orange, and pine. Taste: Sampled after sitting in the glass for 2-3 minutes. Medium bodied bourbon with notes of fruity port wine and rich butterscotch with low-burning spices and char. The wheat lends it a characteristic soft, creaminess. I remember getting more caramel and yellow cake from the neck pour. Today, the vanilla has subsided a good deal. I also get chocolate and licorice in the finish that lingers medium long. It drinks below proof, dangerously so. I keep reaching for more. Everyone has different preferences, but this is right up my alley.

My first 5. I found my soulwhiskey. Very corn forward, brown sugar, powerful oak barrel flavor, notable heat but doesn’t linger at 120 proof. Huge body. This old girl is THICK. I bought 3 bottles without question. It’s like nothing you’ve tasted before.

Strong cinnamon with some vanilla finish. Heavy start but smooth. Needs to breath