Garrison Brothers Balmorhea Texas Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Maker Notes
It gives us great pleasure to introduce the beautiful Balmorhea. This magnificent Texas Straight Bourbon Whiskey is bold but majestically-crafted, having been aged four years in new American white oak barrels, then transferred to a second new American white oak barrel, and aged for one year. Simply put, this 2-time US Micro Whisky of the Year and San Francisco Double Gold winner is bourbon candy in a bottle.
In 2013, our Master Distiller Donnis Todd filled 22 new American white oak barrels from The Barrel Mill – a Minnesota cooperage – with freshly-distilled 114 proof white dog. The barrels were then aged in the relentless West Texas heat for two years. All the while, the liquid inside cycled through the wood’s pores and crevices, extracting every bit of flavor possible.
In 2015, Donnis lugged the barrels in from the barns and dumped the liquid into stainless steel tanks. He then rolled a few 27-gallon Kelvin Cooperage barrels from Louisville, Kentucky below the tank spigot and filled the barrels with the already two-year-old straight bourbon. This second round of barrels had far different lignin and chemical compositions than the original barrels because they had been scorched and toasted differently, caramelizing the sugars in a wonderful new way.
In 2017, the bourbon was dumped into a long, thin stainless steel trough we call The Whiskey Girl, and we all began nosing and tasting the results. After rounds of tear-filled high fives and brotherly hugs, we started talking about names – the easiest part of getting this sensational liquid to market.
TASTING NOTES
Bourbon candy: frozen fudgesicle bars, amaretto coffee, sticky buns, and pecan brittle. Thick, white chocolate syrup.
WHAT IS BALMORHEA?
About 40 miles south of Pecos, Texas, there’s a little swimming hole called Balmorhea where I took my kids when they were young. The park’s name comes from four men’s surnames: E.D. Balcom, H.R. Morrow, John, and Joe Rhea. These men formed an irrigation company in the area in the early 20th century.
It’s rumored that big game hunters may have gathered at the springs in the Balmorhea area 11,000 years ago. Native Americans also swam the springs before the sadistic Spanish explorers came to the area. In 1849, the springs were known as Mescalero Springs, after the Mescalero Apache who watered their horses here.
To see the water flowing up from the underground spring into the canals is mesmerizing, undeniable evidence that God exists. Today, many are concerned that fracking could hurt the water quality or otherwise damage this beautiful child of Mother Nature.
