As the nation’s biggest state, Texas has many unique landmarks and attractions. It boasts seven different climes of rolling hills, forests, and oceans. It has one of the best public university programs in the nation and an excellent public transportation system. But most importantly, Texas has one of the nation’s highest and fastest-growing concentrations of whiskey distilleries.
Over the last 15 years, the Texan whiskey industry has skyrocketed, contributing to the rise of brands such as Ironroot and Garrison Brothers. This guide contains everything you need to know about the best Texas whiskey brands, so you can find the Lone Star liquor that suits your palette.
Texas Whiskey vs Regular Whiskey
The difference between Texan whiskeys and other types of whiskey is that Texas has unique weather patterns that contribute to the distinctive grain taste—from which whiskey is made.
Texas has a highly variable climate—it often feels like multiple seasons in one day—and it tends to exhibit a unique flavor when the grain is grown in those conditions. Additionally, most Texan whiskeys are made with hothouse aging, consisting of aging barrels of whiskey in the heat and sun to produce a distinctive taste.
Lastly, Texas whiskeys are highly variable. Because Texas is a large state, many different distilleries create their singular products.
Texas Whiskey Brands
- Blanco’s Andalusia Whiskey Co.
- Balcones Distilling
- Denison’s Ironroot Republic
- Garrison Brothers
- Firestone & Robertson
- Grayson Whiskey
- Milam & Greene
- Whitmeyer’s Distilling Co.
- Yellow Rose
- Treaty Oak Distilling
- Still, Austin
- Herman Marshall
1. Blanco’s Andalusia Whiskey Co.
Andalusia Whiskey Company produces handcrafted whiskeys in the Texas Hill Country. Each whiskey is made from grain to glass, meaning the grain is grown on the property. This company creates triple-distilled whiskeys in the traditional Irish pot style, creating a slightly sweet and honeyed end product.
Best Products
Andalusia Whiskey Co. offers several top-notch liquors that are as delicious as they are aesthetically pleasing. The best products include:
- Triple Distilled: This whiskey is 100 proof and triple distilled for a smoother, lighter taste.
- Revenant Oak: This whiskey is also 100 proof, made from malted barley, and steeped in bourbon barrels. It is infused with peat smoke for an exceptionally smooth taste.
Why We Like It
Two good friends run this small distillery with a dedicated passion for whiskey—and it shows.
Their products are exceptionally smooth and are a great introduction to Texan whiskeys. It’s great for beginners and those new to the unique flavor of Texan grain.
2. Balcones Distilling
Balcones is a renowned, award-winning distillery located in historic Waco, Texas. Founded in 2008, this distillery is under a bridge in a refurbished welding shop.
Best Products
- Texas Blue Corn Bourbon: This whiskey contains 64.5% alcohol and is a delicious blended whiskey with a rich custard flavor.
- Texas Single Malt Whiskey: Their most essential product is anything but. With notes of banana, pear, and stone fruit, it’s silky and sweet with a rich woody flavor.
Why We Like It
Balcones whiskeys are pretty strong, but you wouldn’t know it by their products’ smooth, creamy taste. The company has been around for as long as the Texan whiskey industry has boomed, so it’s among the movement’s founders.
They use only the freshest ingredients, including Texas-grown malt and barley.
3. Denison’s Ironroot Republic
This family-owned distillery offers high-quality products from heirloom, non-GMO corn—a rarity nowadays. Denison’s Ironroot Republic spirits capture the flavor of northern Texas with authenticity and passion.
Best Products
- Icarus Straight Corn Whiskey: This whiskey contains 58.9% alcohol and offers a fruity, smoky, sweet taste.
- Harbinger Bourbon Whiskey: This product contains 57.5% alcohol and is made from iron grapes, maple syrup, and fruity flavors.
Why We Like It
With such a wide variety of products available from Ironroot, there’s something for everyone. Their whiskeys are entirely made from non-GMO corn, which is unique among distilleries—particularly in Texas.
4. Garrison Brothers
Garrison Brothers is an award-winning distillery located in Hye, Texas. It is operated by a family of bourbon lovers dedicated to improving outcomes for Texans and creating jobs in the region.
Best Products
- Balmorhea Bourbon Single Barrel: This product contains 47% alcohol and offers a charred oak flavor straight from the barrel.
- Cowboy Bourbon: The Cowboy Bourbon set out to imitate the character of Texas, and it has since become one of the most renowned Texas whiskeys. It is 67.4% alcohol.
Why We Like It
Garrison Brothers are among the most famous Texas distilleries. The company uses food-grade corn and barley and prides itself on creating various products that appeal to all types of drinkers.
5. Firestone & Robertson
Firestone & Robertson is a gorgeous distillery on a sprawling ranch in Northern Texas. The company prides itself on its whiskey maker’s solid lineage and its many products’ unique tastes.
Best Products
- Texas Straight Bourbon: This 45% alcohol whiskey is made from corn, barley, wheat—and pecan, and vanilla cream.
- Rye Bottled Bond: This product is experimental, so it’s available for a limited time only, but it boasts incredible fruity flavors that are impossible to replicate—and delicious.
Why We Like It
This company keeps its recipes secret for a reason. The taste is impossible to capture but wholly unique. Their products embrace the versatility of Texas as a whole.
6. Grayson Whiskey
This upscale bourbon distillery aims to capture the essence of Texas in a bottle—and has succeeded in doing so. Their products are as versatile as they are delicious, and there’s something for every drinker.
Best Products
- Batch 1: Batch 1 is 119.4 proof and offers notes of maple syrup, beignet, jalapeno jelly, and raisins.
- Blended Bourbon Whiskey: Blended bourbon whiskey is 59.7% alcohol and contains coffee, dark chocolate, and maple syrup aromas.
Why We Like It
This is Texas’ first Black-owned distillery, so your purchases go toward a good cause. Their products contain unique flavors like nutmeg, cloves, and burnt pecans, making them perfect for anyone with a sweet tooth.
7. Milam & Greene
Milam & Greene is another distillery in Blanco, Texas, that makes delicious whiskeys and blended bourbons aged in charred American oak casks.
Best Products
- Triple Cask Bourbon: This bourbon contains 47% alcohol and blends three hand-selected whiskies made in Milam.
- Port Cask Finished Rye: This rye whiskey is made in aged port wine casks, containing fruity flavors and a smooth finish.
Why We Like It
This award-winning whiskey ranch is made by veteran experts with over 60 years of collective experience. All whiskeys are distilled in a 300-gallon copper pot still that produces a taste entirely its own.
8. Whitmeyer’s Distilling Co.
Whitmeye’s Distilling Company is a veteran-owned business founded in 2005 by two brothers. The company prides itself on using all-natural ingredients and locally sourced products.
Best Products
- Texas Peach Whiskey: This product contains peach extract with absolutely no additives.
- Bourbon & Rye Whiskey: This organic, all-natural blended whiskey is made in charred oak barrels.
Why We Like It
Each product has organic and all-natural ingredients, leading to an incredibly high purity level. It’s an excellent choice for those who take pride in their taste and prefer locally sourced ingredients.
9. Yellow Rose
Yellow Rose is the distillery that put Houston on the global whiskey map. The company is owned by a small group of friends who prioritize using locally sourced ingredients, reflecting the diversity of Texas in their products.
Best Products
- Outlaw Bourbon Whiskey: This 46% alcohol whiskey is aged in oak casks and contains hints of vanilla and smooth caramel.
- Rye Whiskey: This whiskey is made from 95% rye and made from grain to glass in the heart of Houston
Why We Like It
Yellow Rose is a small company that makes whiskey in small batches—so each bottle is precious. Their products are as smooth as they are strong—the perfect introduction to Texas whiskey.
10. Treaty Oak Distilling
Treaty Oak Distilling is a small, experimental whiskey maker in Dripping Springs. They perfectly balance tradition and innovation, creating unique products that stand out.
Best Products
- Ghost Hill Texas Bourbon: This bourbon is mashed, fermented, and barreled on-site and contains 57% corn, 32% wheat, and 11% barley.
Why We Like It
This company pairs heritage with modernity to create products that have a taste all their own. They have won numerous awards for their products, aged at least two years in the hot Texas sun.
11. Still, Austin
Still, Austin is a world-class distillery in the heart of Austin, Texas. The distillery aims to capture the diverse flavor of the town and does so effectively.
Best Products
- The Musician Straight Bourbon: This 49.2% alcohol whiskey is made from 70% white corn, 25% rye, and 5% malted barley. It contains notes of pineapple and smores.
Why We Like It
This company is among the most experimental, with unique flavor profiles and modern ingredients. Their products are affordable, making them great for those on a budget.
12. Herman Marshall
Herman Marshall is an award-winning distillery located in downtown Wylie, Texas. They offer Texas Rye, Bourbon, Single Malt, and Dry Country Blended Bourbon.
Best Products
- Texas Bourbon Whiskey: This whiskey is made from 77% Texas corn and 23% malted barley. It contains sweet notes of fruit and an aroma of caramel and ginger.
Why We Like It
This small distillery makes hand-made, batched products that reflect the care and attention put into them. Each bottle is unique, which makes the experience of drinking special.
Conclusion
Texas is a burgeoning market for whiskey—and the products on this list represent the best of what the Lone Star state offers. Try them all to find your favorite, and share them with your friends.
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