Distillery: Garrison Brothers Distillery – Hye, Texas
Proof: 146.4 (73.2% ABV)
Age: At least six years
Mashbill: 74% Corn, 15% Red Winter Wheat, 11% Malted Barley
MSRP: $250
Uncut, Unfiltered, Unmistakably Texas — Limited Release | December 6, 2025
Garrison Brothers’ Cowboy Bourbon returns for its 2025 release as a forceful annual expression—an uncut, unfiltered, high-impact bourbon built from barrels that endure the extreme temperature swings seen in the Texas Hill Country. The climate in Hye pushes rapid evaporation and deep wood extraction, meaning a six-year-old Texas bourbon often rivals much older whiskey aged in “traditional” whiskey climates.
At 146.4 proof, the 2025 10,000 bottle edition continues the core elements of the Garrison Brothers’ Cowboy profile—intense barrel influence, high-level extraction, and amplified sweetness and spice. Each barrel is chosen for a whiskey that is thick, flavorful, and unmistakably shaped by Texas heat.
With the bottle open, the goal is to see how this year’s release balances power, sweetness, and maturity….
Garrison Brothers Cowboy Bourbon (2025 Release) Review: Tasting Notes
Nose – 4.6/5
Toasted vanilla. Campfire smoke. Strong caramel. Black pepper. Dried peaches.
Strengths: The Nose immediately delivers a smoky sweetness and warm mellow spice. There is a honeyed sweetness and dried peach notes that balance against the stronger char notes.
Why It’s Not Higher: The proof rises quickly and blunts some finer details.
Rating Justification: Big, bold aromas with excellent depth.
Palate – 4.7/5
Black pepper. Cinnamon. Heavy oak. Caramel. Brown sugar.
Strengths: The Palate is the highlight. Dense, sweet and spicy. Pepper and cinnamon create an immediate impact on the Palate. The texture is thick and coating, just what you’d expect from Texas aging.
Why It’s Not Higher: The intensity is thrilling but not subtle. Any mid-Palate finesse gets lost underneath the power.
Rating Justification: Deep layers. The concentration and richness are exceptional.
Finish – 4.6/5
Smoked oak. Caramelized sugar. Dried fruit. Lingering heat.
Strengths: The Finish stretches out with oak, spice, and caramelized sugars. The warmth lingers in a flavorful way that feels true to the Cowboy style.
Why It’s Not Higher: The sustained heat trims any nuance that might exist on the tail end.
Rating Justification: A long, robust finish that matches up with the whiskey’s overall power and style.
Value – 4.3/5
At $250, Cowboy Bourbon sits firmly at the upper end of the cask-strength bourbon market. The price reflects heavy evaporation loss, intense Texas aging conditions, and the rigorous barrel selection process that Garrison Brothers uses to create the Cowboy expression. For enthusiasts who appreciate high-proof—and especially those who already enjoy the Garrison Brothers style—the value is strong. For casual drinkers, both the proof and the price may well be beyond your comfort level.
Garrison Brothers Cowboy Bourbon (2025 Release) Review: The Verdict
The 2025 Cowboy Bourbon is a powerful, deeply concentrated expression that captures the signature character of Garrison Brothers. The Nose is bold, the Palate is dense and flavorful, and the Finish leaves a lasting impression. While the proof can limit some nuance, the whiskey is don’t miss.
Verdict – 4.6/5
We score each bourbon based on nose, palate, finish, and value.
Scoring System:
- Platinum – 4.5 – 5
- Gold – 4 – 4.5
- Silver – 3 – 4
- Bronze – <3
Mike Long is a staff writer at Bourbon Inspector and has an Executive Bourbon Steward designation from the Stave and Thief Society. He’s a former “wine guy” who discovered his love for bourbon years back at a spur-of-the-moment bourbon tasting he attended. He also loves traveling throughout America with his wife of over 37 years, Debby.