BeerNinjaEsq
Garrison Brothers Single Barrel Bourbon, Barrel Proof
Bourbon — Texas, USA, USA
Reviewed
October 28, 2020 (edited October 29, 2020)
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.
110.0
USD
per
Bottle
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I've heard excellent things about Balmorhea @WhiskeyLonghorn , but I don't think I've ever seen it for less than $180 and I think it's usually more like $210 or more. I'd love to sample it, but I'm not prepared to drop that on a bottle unfortunately :(
No, it's a different barrel @BeerNinjaEsq but port just seems like such a characteristic flavor that I'm surprised yours has it while mine has no fruit at all.
@BeerNinjaEsq the Cowboy is good no doubt, but I think their hitter is the Balmorea. It’s released in batches every year and it’s their most complex bourbon but the price is less of a sting at $150. GB has a great ranch out in the Texas hill country right down the road from some fantastic wineries. The distillery tour is literally a tractor ride around the ranch to the different production facilities!
@Ctrexman I haven't tried Cowboy, but I've tried the small batch. Small batch definitely isn't worth it at $80. It's a good $40-50 bourbon
@ContemplativeFox - Just checking: are you from my area and have access to the same bottle I'm drinking? Otherwise, I'd just chalk it up to single barrel variance
Is be sorely tempted to get the cowboy bourbon at that price @Ctrexman. I've been seeing it at $300 now :( I don't know how Garrison Brothers is able to get away with charging so much for such young whiskey (well, probably because it's really good).
Interesting that you're getting port in this. I'm getting none of that but I definitely get a chocolatey dustiness
Great review. I have been very close to pulling trigger on some Garrison but always back away as it just seems overpriced. I am now seeing Cowboy for $220 and want to get it but cant seem to follow through for a 5yr bourbon. I will probably cave next month after I pay off my Discover card bill and reset