In the heart of Texas, where the sun beats down without mercy, Garrison Brothers Distillery has been turning out straight bourbon whiskey since 2006. That year marked a big moment—it was the first legal whiskey operation in the state since the days of Prohibition ended. The folks there stick to what they know best: bourbon made from grains grown right in Texas, using a sweet mash method that sets their stuff apart. Over the years, they've put together a solid lineup of bourbons, but the ones that really get people talking are the high-proof, cask-strength versions. These are the bottles that whiskey fans chase down, and now they've dropped their strongest one yet—the 11th edition of Cowboy Bourbon, coming in at a whopping 73.2 percent ABV, or 146.4 proof. It's unfiltered and straight from the cask, no watering down here.
Image credit: Garrison Brothers Distillery
This kind of power earns it the nickname "hazmat whiskey." It's not some official label, but it's caught on among drinkers because anything over 70 percent ABV can't go on commercial flights—federal rules treat it like hazardous materials, the stuff that could cause trouble in the air. So, if you're thinking about packing a bottle in your carry-on, forget it. But that high octane isn't just for show. Part of it comes from the way Garrison Brothers does things, and part from Mother Nature herself. Down in Hye, Texas, where the distillery sits, the heat cranks up for most of the year. Those barrels sit in warehouses soaking it all in, and the intense temperatures make water evaporate faster than alcohol does. That leaves behind a spirit that's stronger and packs more punch. On top of that, the heat pulls out deep flavors from the oak—tannins and other compounds that give the bourbon its bold character. The team at Garrison Brothers leans into this. They use smaller, custom-built barrels on purpose, which means more surface area touching the whiskey. It's all about ramping up that wood influence to create something that's not for the faint of heart.
The story of this particular release starts with the basics: the grains. Everything's local, from the corn to the wheat and barley. The mash bill breaks down to 74 percent corn for that classic sweetness, 15 percent wheat to smooth things out, and 11 percent malted barley to help with fermentation. Master distiller Donnis Todd personally picked the barrels for this 2025 Cowboy Bourbon, choosing ones that had aged at least six years in those hot warehouses. He blended them to capture the essence of what makes Texas bourbon stand out—raw power mixed with layers of taste that hit you in waves.
When you crack open a bottle, the first thing that grabs you is the smell. It's got this heavy hit of charred wood, like a campfire that's just died down, mixed with a smoky edge that reminds you of gunpowder, and then the sweetness of toasted marshmallows creeps in. Take a sip, and it's a ride. Up front, it's got a surprising burst of stone fruits—think ripe peaches or plums—that cuts through the heat. Then the spice kicks in, with black pepper leading the charge, backed by warm baking spices like cinnamon or clove. It's the kind of bourbon that demands respect; you don't gulp it, you savor it, maybe with a drop of water to open it up if the proof feels too intense straight away.
Donnis Todd sums it up best in his own words: “It’s strong and mean at first, but the all-encompassing flavor makes your mouth water, and you’ll begin to drool if you’re not careful,” Todd said in a statement. “The flood of warmth never ends. Layered dried fruits and toasted marshmallows — it’s a Texas chaser you can’t stop sipping.“
This isn't a whiskey for every day or every palate—it's for those times when you want something that stands up to a hearty meal, like a thick steak off the grill or some smoked brisket. Picture kicking back after a long day in the shop or out on the ranch, pouring a measure into a heavy glass and letting that warmth spread. The Texas roots shine through, from the local grains to the way the climate shapes the final product. It's a reminder of how place matters in whiskey-making; what works in cooler spots like Kentucky might not fly here, but Garrison Brothers has turned the heat into an advantage.
If you're looking to get your hands on one, act fast. They made about 10,000 bottles in total for this run. The first thousand flew off the shelves at the distillery back in December, drawing crowds who wanted to grab it right from the source. The rest are hitting stores across the country now, with a suggested price of around $250 a bottle. That's not cheap, but for a limited-edition, high-proof beast like this, it's the kind of investment that pays off in stories shared around the fire pit. Whether you're a longtime bourbon collector or just dipping into the stronger stuff, this Cowboy Bourbon challenges you to see if you can handle what Texas throws at you. It's not just a drink—it's a piece of the Lone Star State's spirit, bottled and ready to test your mettle.
