Review: Garrison Brothers Bottled in Bond Bourbon (2026)

For the first time in basically forever, Texas whiskeymaker Garrison Brothers has dropped a bourbon without a clever name. Garrison Brothers Bottled in Bond tells you exactly what it is, without having to Google anything at all.

This first bonded expression of Garrison Brothers comes 16 years after its inaugural bourbon release and lands as the 10th expression in the distillery’s lineup. The whiskey inside was distilled in the fall of 2019 and is made from Texas grains, and is proofed with local water. It hits the bottle at the age of 6 years old — 2 years older than the Bottled-in-Bond Act requires. 100 proof, naturally.

I’m game. Let’s get to it.

Garrison Brothers Bottled in Bond Bourbon (2026) Review

There’s certainly a Texas punch to the nose here, gritty and mesquite-laced, with a green, smoky quality that feels less aggressive than, say, Cowboy Bourbon, but lacks the nuance of finished offerings like Lady Bird. Time in glass coaxes out some sweetness, but it takes a long time to get there, with maple syrup and smoked fruit elements evoking blueberries and prunes that have sat next to the campfire for a spell. Hoppy overtones give the whiskey a rustic vibe, not at all uncommon for Texas whiskey and especially for a Garrison Bros. offering.

The palate feels instantly larger than life, again pungent and green, gritty and a little overcooked in the Texas sun. The maple notes re-emerge, particularly with a splash of water, appearing alongside more herbal elements that include sage, black pepper, and of course mesquite. Sweetness and fruit are again present but late to the game, the finish beginning with more of that maple note and introducing notes of orange peel and spice. Imagine a slightly tamed Cowboy Bourbon but with its smokiness amped up (or perhaps something like a pre-bottled smoked Old Fashioned), and you’re on the right track.

100 proof.

B / $100

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