ctbeck11
Garrison Brothers Cowboy Bourbon (2019 Release)
Bourbon — Texas, USA
Reviewed
March 1, 2021 (edited November 8, 2021)
Nose - salted caramel, toffee, vanilla, peanut brittle, sweet creamed corn, chocolate nougat, brown sugar, marshmallow, leather, black pepper, tobacco, cherry, raisin, cinnamon, rich oak, moderate to high ethanol burn.
Taste - salted caramel, toffee, rich oak, marshmallow, candied peanut, cinnamon, allspice, dusty corn, black cherry, raisin, vanilla, mint, tobacco, leather, brown sugar, black pepper, moderate to high alcohol bite, finishing long with rich caramel, black cherry, dark chocolate, and musty, candied peanut flavors.
Wow! Just wow. What a treat after spending the past month reviewing vodka. This is a masterpiece. It’s simply the best nose I’ve ever encountered on a bourbon. And it’s really not even close. I poured my favorite bourbon I own, Elijah Craig B520, to confirm this. In comparison, the EC seems guarded, austere, and overly hot. The palate is equally stunning. Every flavor is fully formed and robust. There’s a sweaty, musty, oaky, peanuty vibe that resembles the Beam funk, but it’s so much more well executed here.
As others have mentioned, it’s ludicrous that this is almost 140 proof and only five years old. I have no idea what kind of black magic is being conjured in Texas, but Garrison Brothers has thrown down the gauntlet. This drinks like it’s 100 proof and at least double its age. I do suspect that the flavor profile may be somewhat of an acquired taste. That sweaty, funky, nutty profile may be not suit some palates. But I love it.
This is the first perfect review I’ve given. In my mind, this absolutely deserves it. This is bourbon elevated to an art form. Regarding the price, I can’t responsibly claim that this is worth four bottles of ECBP. However, I can say that this is the best bourbon I’ve ever experienced. Before this, I didn’t think a bourbon would be able to rate above 4.5 on my scale. I assumed a perfect score would be reserved for some ridiculously old and expensive single malt. I’m elated to be proven wrong on this point. A hearty thank you to my new buddy @pkingmartin for generously providing the sample for me to review. Here’s to many more encounters with whiskey perfection.
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@Ctrexman Ha! You definitely called it. Agree it’s significantly better than much of the allocated stuff with prices in the same range.
@Ctrexman if their prices go any higher may Yosemite Sam piss in their beds
"Ugh! Am I really going to buy a $200 bottle of bourbon after reading this review? Probably. Forevermore, my credit card (and wife) will curse the name CTREXMAN."..........I hate to say I told you so. ...Seriously though for anyone wondering about the price on this. Think of the ridiculous gouging going on with BT /Weller/Pappy, etc. Let me tell you this shit obliterates Weller 12. I mean its a joke. Lets hope Garrison doesnt fall into the same cycle of inflated pricing. All the the more reason to buy it NOW!!!
@Ctrexman Absolutely. And I’ve been reading some pretty stellar reviews on that one as well. Along with Cowboy, it’s on my immediate buy list if I stumble upon them again.
Wow quite a step up from the vodka parade. Glad you finally gave this a go its rather amazing what that tiny little town in Hill country Texas has achieved. I think the Balmo is in the same league as well
@jonwilkinson7309 The price is definitely steep, especially to take a flyer on without trying it first. I mentioned the same in my review, but I think the profile may not be universally loved. If you’re down for musty, funky, nutty whiskey, it’s a buy all day. Otherwise, the money would likely be better spent elsewhere.
Well deserved after all of your vodka trials and tribulations. I've always wondered if the Cowboy bourbon could possibly merit it's price. I guess I have my answer!
@dubz480 My eyes are wide open now. Here’s to hoping prices descend from the stratosphere in the coming years.
@PBMichiganWolverine Seriously. Let’s go into business together. We can pick out a nice piece of land in Death Valley and change the game. I bet we could get Cowboy quality bourbon with a 2 Year age statement.
You are now forever changed! Welcome to the world of Garrison Brother's! This was a great Bourbon!
@ctbeck11 which makes me wonder...why isn’t a craft distiller buying land in the nevada desert and aging there ? I would think that temperature swing from day to night would add some drastic wood impact. I’m sure someone is...if I thought of it, the professionals already have
@PBMichiganWolverine I hesitated for the same reason. Texas aging seems to transcend the standard laws of nature.
I’ve always hesitated because of that price / age ratio. But seems like worth pulling the trigger
@pkingmartin Thanks! And absolutely. Wish I had bought one when I had the chance. Next time I see it, I think I’ll pull the trigger.
Great review!!! Garrison brothers Cowboy is Texas magic.