Food & Drink

Review: Garrison Brothers Laguna Madre Bourbon (2022)

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Garrison Bros. Laguna Madre Package

Noting, as others so typically do, that “all the things is larger in Texas” speaks on to the flavour profile of most whiskeys popping out of the Lone Star State. Due to Texas’ intense warmth, the affect that oak has on these whiskeys tends to be way more pronounced at a youthful age than comparable merchandise from, say, Kentucky or Indiana. All too conscious of this, Texas whiskey producers are sometimes inclined to lean into that quirk of the local weather and create spirits which are extra brash and off-the-beaten-path than their northern counterparts. For Garrison Brothers, the expression that greatest exemplifies that ethos is their ultra-premium Cowboy Bourbon – which is bottled at cask power and goals to seize the boldness that Texas bourbon has turn out to be identified for. On the opposite finish of the spectrum, nonetheless, is their extra restricted distillery-only providing and the topic of in the present day’s overview: Garrison Brothers Laguna Madre Bourbon.

After spending 4 years getting old in American oak, the whiskey that makes up Laguna Madre is then transferred to Limousin oak barrels for a further 4 years – making it the oldest launch within the Garrison Brothers lineup. On their web site Garrison Brothers notes, “the challenge obtained underway once more in earnest in 2014. Todd Donnis chosen 16 Kelvin Cooperage 25-gallon barrels from our barns that had been initially crammed with 114 proof White Canine.” The positioning goes on to say, “The barrels have been 2 years and 226 days previous once they have been chosen for the challenge. On October 26, 2016 the liquid was entered into Limousin oak barrels…The eight barrels that have been custom-coopered for Operation Cadillac have been Radoux 225 Liter French oak barrels with a particular “vanilla” toast, referred to by Radoux as a medium plus toast, with toasted heads.” They conclude by making point out of the truth that the Limousin oak used for these barrels comes from bushes which are solely felled once they attain 120 years of age or older.

I give pause right here to contemplate simply how a lot time went into the manufacturing of this whiskey. Eight years is a prolonged spell spent getting old distillate for a model that has solely existed for about twice that point span; however to contemplate the 120+ years that went into the expansion of the Limousin oak that created the ending barrels for this product actually offers one a lot to consider whereas having fun with this expression. How completely different the world was – it may be stated that this challenge started almost 20 years earlier than Prohibition!

As a result of rarity and price of those Limousin casks, as aforementioned that is Garrison Brothers’ most restricted launch and for this 2022 model, like the 2021 version, lower than 2,000 bottles have been produced. The mashbill is made up of undisclosed percentages of #1 white corn, native mushy crimson winter wheat, and two-row barley, and it carries a hefty asking value of $300.

Within the glass, the whiskey opens with vigorous recent apple, white chocolate, and freshly sanded oak on the nostril whereas toasted wheat bread and the slight chalkiness of chocolate sugar wafer cookies discover their manner ahead, after permitting this pour to relaxation some time.

Subsequent up, espresso beans and cocoa powder meet the lips earlier than dissipating rapidly and permitting house for baking spice and stewed apple ensconced in milk chocolate to pool in the midst of the palate. This whiskey has a pleasurable mouthfeel and a reasonable albeit fulfilling end to accompany these hearty flavors. It does turn out to be a contact drying, although that’s a welcome counterweight to the candy taste that lingers which is paying homage to a chocolate mocha latte with white chocolate flakes.

Total this appears like a luxurious expertise, even on the comparatively restrained 101 proof level. Chewing the whiskey a bit coaxes ahead some bitter oak indicating that there’s nonetheless a little bit of these harsher facets prevalent in Texas whiskey buried underneath the floor however when loved in an easy method it is a pour that’s pleasing and even borders on being wealthy. With a style of flat Dr. Pepper and a contact of cinnamon raisin rounding out the end, there’s no scarcity of fascinating notes to reward repeat pours.

Concluding on a trifle of a matter, I detest the fanciful copy that accompanies this bottle – although the copy is to not be outdone by the lavish bundle this is available in. Encased in a thick plastic cylinder with faux-aquatic accents beneath and a seaside within the background, you’ll discover phrases like “lovingly caressed from {custom} Limousin oak casks” seem on the facet of the bottle as we’re advised this expression “shines like an aquamarine temptress beckoning us to return out and play.” Whereas my eyes threaten to roll proper out of my head, the aromas and flavors offered within the glass power me to miss such excessively ornate prospers. When permitting this whiskey to talk for itself, I imagine any fanatic can be inclined to hear.

101 proof.

A- / $300 / garrisonbros.com

Garrison Brothers Laguna Madre Bourbon (2022)

$300

Score


9.0/10

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