Texas’ First Legal Whiskey Distillery Releases 6,000 Bottles of Its Latest Bourbon

(Photo: Garrison Brothers)

On Wednesday, the Garrison Brothers distillery unveiled Sonora Texas Straight Bourbon Finished in Rye Whiskey Barrels, the ninth offering in its award-winning portfolio and, in all likelihood, a soon-to-be collector’s item.

The bourbon was aged four years in new white American oak before transferring to ex-rye whiskey barrels for an additional three years. The spirit, bottled at 108 proof, is said to boast aromas of sweet corn, oak, rye spice and butterscotch, followed by copious flavors of black pepper and cinnamon on the palate.

As is often the case with Garrison Brothers releases, the bourbon will be dropping in limited quantities. The first 1,000 bottles of Sonora will be made available at a distillery event in Hye, Texas, on October 18th, followed by a release of 5,000 more through e-commerce and select liquor store accounts beginning in early November. It boasts a suggested retail price of $159.99, with $5 from each bottle donated to The Texas Cave Management Association.

The bourbon was named in honor of the Caverns of Sonora, a National Natural Landmark in Sutton County, Texas. Located about a two-hour drive west of the Garrison Brothers distillery, the caves are renowned throughout the state for their calcite crystal formations, which take the form of many-appendaged, almost alien-like structures that glimmer light orange under the shine of a flashlight. Just as the caverns were shaped through time and patience, Garrison Brothers says that its latest bourbon was “the culmination of years of craftsmanship, passion and the relentless pursuit of excellence.”

The whiskey was a collaborative effort between master distiller Donnis Todd and Samantha Olvera, purportedly the first Latina in Texas to make bourbon from grain to glass. Olvera has been a leader within the Garrison Brothers distilling team for the past seven years.

“Garrison Brothers Sonora Bourbon is a testament to the power of female leadership, collaboration and true craftsmanship,” co-founder Nancy Garrison said in a news release. “Since starting in 2006, we have had the privilege of working with many female leaders as part of our family business including Samantha Olvera on our distilling team. It’s nice to share their stories through bourbon.”