Garrison Brothers Distillery

What Garrison Brothers Distillery does

Garrison Brothers Distillery, founded in 2006 in Hye, Texas, is the first legal whiskey distillery in Texas and the first producer of bourbon outside the state of Kentucky. The company operates a fully vertical, grain-to-glass production process on a single ranch: grain is milled fresh daily, cooked into sweet mash one batch at a time, distilled, barreled, and aged entirely on-site, with purified Hill Country rainwater used in production. Extreme Texas heat (100°F+ for nine months per year) accelerates wood-sugar extraction, enabling distinctive dark, full-bodied flavor profiles from new American white oak barrels. The portfolio spans roughly 15 expressions from 80 to 146.4 proof, including the flagship 94-proof Small Batch, twice-barreled Balmorhea, port-finished Guadalupe, Cognac-cask-finished Lady Bird, Limousin-oak-finished Laguna Madre, rye-barrel-finished Sonora, cask-strength Cowboy Bourbon, honey-infused HoneyDew, Bottled in Bond, and a Ranch Reserve series featuring PX and Oloroso sherry cask finishes. The company sells through a distillery gift shop and tasting experience in Hye, nationwide e-commerce at garrisonbourbon.com, and wholesale distribution that scaled from 25 states in 2014 to all 50 states by 2024, including control states since 2022. Its go-to-market is event-driven and community-oriented, anchored by the Hye Note concert series, volunteer bottling programs, and limited release presales (such as the Hye Rye three-year forward presale). Garrison Brothers is a privately held, founder- and family-operated business with no disclosed institutional funding, employing 11–50 people, and has won hundreds of industry awards including San Francisco World Spirits Competition medals, Proof Awards Best in Show, and New York International Spirits Competition's 2024 Texas Distillery of the Year.

Name

Garrison Brothers Distillery

Legal name

Garrison Brothers Distillery

Website

https://garrisonbros.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2006

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Garrison Brothers Distillery is a privately held, founder-owned Texas craft bourbon producer founded in 2006 in Hye, Texas. It operates a fully vertical grain-to-glass distillery serving premium bourbon enthusiasts, collectors, and visitors nationwide through DTC, e-commerce, and all-50-state wholesale distribution.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Premium Bourbon Whiskey

NAICS

Distilleries (31214)

SIC

Wholesale-Beer, Wine & Distilled Alcoholic Beverages (5180)

akta.pro primary industry

Spirits Distilling & Brands (CRADAIAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Distilled Spirits Production & Distilling (AFAFAAAC), Distilleries (Tasting Rooms) (THAFALAG), Spirits Distillery Tours & Tastings (Whiskey, Rum, Gin, Vodka) (THAJAGAF)

Keywords

• Texas bourbon whiskey
• Craft grain-to-glass
• Small batch bourbon
• Cask strength whiskey
• Bourbon distillery tours

Headquarters

HQ city

Hye

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Bourbon Sales: Revenue from selling bourbon expressions ranging from flagship Small Batch to limited/annual releases such as Cowboy Bourbon, Laguna Madre, and Ranch Reserve series. Direct-to-consumer at the distillery gift shop plus nationwide e-commerce. Limited releases (e.g., Hye Rye, Cowboy Bourbon) drive significant consumer demand through scarcity.
2. Merchandise & Gear: Sale of branded merchandise including apparel, accessories, and branded items through the online store (store.garrisonbros.com).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Garrison Brothers Distillery produces and sells a full portfolio of premium Texas straight bourbon whiskeys manufactured entirely on-site at its ranch in Hye, Texas. The grain-to-glass operation mills fresh grain daily, cooks sweet mash one batch at a time, distills the wash, and ages the distillate in new American white oak barrels under the extreme Texas sun. The portfolio spans accessible flagship releases, allocated limited editions, and finished bourbons (honey-infused, port, cognac, sherry, Limousin oak, rye-barrel, twice-barreled, and cask strength).

Product overview

Garrison Brothers Distillery is a Texas bourbon producer offering a portfolio of bourbon expressions ranging from 80 to 146.4 proof. The core permanent collection includes Small Batch (flagship 94-proof), Boot Flask (portable 375ml), HoneyDew (honey-infused 80-proof), Single Barrel (94-proof and cask strength), Balmorhea (twice-barreled 115-proof), Guadalupe (port-finished 107-proof), Lady Bird (cognac-finished 114-proof), Cowboy Bourbon (uncut 146.4-proof), Laguna Madre (Limousin oak-finished 101-proof), Sonora (rye barrel-finished 108-proof), and Bottled in Bond (100-proof). Limited releases include PX and Oloroso sherry cask finishes under the Ranch Reserve Series, plus Young Gun, Estacado, Hurricane Tough, and Hye Rye. The company operates as a craft grain-to-glass distillery in Hye, Texas.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Ranch Reserve: A collection of limited-release bourbons exploring exceptional finishing casks, including PX Sherry Cask Finished and Oloroso Sherry Cask Finished expressions.
• Texas Treasures

Products and services

• Small Batch Flagship 94-proof Texas straight small batch bourbon whiskey, aged at least 3 years in new American white oak barrels under the Texas sun. Made from a sweet mash bill of corn, wheat, and barley. Targeted at bourbon enthusiasts and consumers seeking the distillery's signature expression.
• Boot Flask 375ml small batch bourbon whiskey at 94 proof, the same liquid as the flagship Small Batch in a portable bottle designed to fit in boots. Targeted at consumers seeking an accessible, portable format.
• HoneyDew 80-proof honey-infused straight bourbon whiskey aged 4 years in new charred American white oak casks and infused with Texas-grown Burleson's wildflower honey. Targeted at bourbon enthusiasts seeking sweeter, smoother flavor profiles.
• Single Barrel 94-proof single barrel bourbon whiskey available in By-The-Barrel (94 proof) and Cask Strength versions. Each barrel is hand-selected by Master Distiller Donnis Todd for superior flavor profiles. Targeted at collectors and enthusiasts seeking barrel-specific bottlings.
• Balmorhea 115-proof twice-barreled Texas straight bourbon whiskey aged 4 years in new American white oak, then transferred to a second new barrel for an additional year. Named after the Balmorhea swimming hole in Texas. Targeted at bourbon enthusiasts seeking a deeper, richer twice-barreled expression.
• Guadalupe 107-proof port-finished straight bourbon whiskey aged 4 years in toasted and charred white American oak barrels, then finished 2 additional years in port casks imported from Portugal. Targeted at bourbon enthusiasts seeking port-influenced depth.
• Lady Bird 114-proof Texas honey-infused cognac-finished bourbon. Double-finished expression balancing sweet honey notes with rich cognac complexity, with $5 from each bottle donated to the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. Targeted at bourbon enthusiasts and cause-driven consumers.
• Cowboy Bourbon 146.4-proof uncut and unfiltered straight bourbon whiskey. Selected from Dan and Donnis Todd's favorite barrels set aside for extended maturation, bottled at cask strength without adding water. Targeted at collectors and cask-strength enthusiasts.
• Laguna Madre 101-proof limited release straight bourbon whiskey aged 4 years in white American oak, then finished 4 additional years in rare French Limousin oak casks for a creamy, complex flavor. Targeted at collectors and enthusiasts seeking rare finishing.
• Sonora 108-proof Texas straight bourbon whiskey finished in rye whiskey barrels. Aged 7 Texas summers, first in white American oak then finished in rye whiskey casks. Created by Samantha Olvera, the first female Latina in Texas to craft bourbon from grain to glass. $5 from each bottle supports the Texas Cave Management Association.
• Bottled in Bond 100-proof Texas straight bourbon whiskey meeting the Bottled-in-Bond Act of 1897 standards. Aged at least 6 years, from a single distilling season, by one distiller at one distillery. Targeted at bourbon enthusiasts seeking traditional bonded whiskey credentials.
• PX 109-proof Texas straight bourbon whiskey finished in PX Sherry casks. Part of Ranch Reserve Series, aged 4 years in white American oak and 4 more in Pedro Ximénez sherry casks from Spain for rich, dark, decadent flavors. Targeted at collectors and sherry-finished bourbon enthusiasts.
• Oloroso 110-proof Texas straight bourbon whiskey finished in Oloroso Sherry casks. Part of Ranch Reserve Series, aged 4 years in white American oak and 4 more in Oloroso sherry casks from Spain for savory, structured complexity. Targeted at collectors and sherry-finished bourbon enthusiasts.
• Young Gun 100-proof Texas straight bourbon whiskey, the first expression from Garrison Brothers and the first bourbon made outside of Kentucky. Original pre-release bottles sold out in 48 hours. Targeted at collectors of historically significant bourbon.
• Estacado 107-proof distillery-only experimental straight bourbon whiskey aged 4 years in American white oak barrels, then finished 2 years in Llano Estacado port wine casks. Targeted at distillery visitors seeking experimental, allocation-only releases.
• Hurricane Tough 100-proof Texas straight bourbon whiskey made from the nine barrels filled on the day Hurricane Harvey hit the coast, sold to donors of storm relief efforts. Targeted at cause-driven consumers and collectors of meaningful, story-driven releases.
• Hye Rye 98-proof rye bourbon aged 5 years in the Texas Hill Country heat. Crafted from a mash bill of 52% corn, 37% rye, and 11% malted barley. Highly coveted release with only 1,000 bottles originally produced; presale at $99 per bottle. Targeted at rye bourbon collectors and enthusiasts.
• Red, White & Bourbon Limited-edition 94-proof small batch bourbon sealed in red, white, and blue wax to honor military, veterans, first responders, and teachers. Same award-winning Small Batch bourbon with special patriotic packaging. Targeted at cause-driven consumers and gift purchasers.
• Branded Merchandise & Gear Branded merchandise including apparel, accessories, and branded items sold through the online store (store.garrisonbros.com). Targeted at bourbon enthusiasts and brand fans seeking lifestyle products.

Quantifiable outcome

• Hundreds of Platinum, Gold, Double Gold, and Best in Class awards across global spirits competitions including San Francisco World Spirits Competition, SIP Awards, TAG Global Spirits Awards, Proof Awards, ASCOT Awards, San Diego International Wine & Spirits Challenge, and more

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Tuff ShedcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2026Tuff Shed builds the physical Backyard Bourbon Barn structure; Garrison Brothers designs and outfitters the interior with a bourbon-themed concept. The collaboration is marketed as a true maker partnership with Garrison Brothers-branded content and a joint sweepstakes. The Tuff Shed Backyard Bourbon Barn giveaway runs through October 2026.
• Texas Wine Auction FoundationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerGarrison Brothers Distillery participated as one of over 20 wineries/breweries in the 5th Annual Texas Wine Auction Weekend, a two-day fundraising event held at Carter Creek Winery Resort & Spa in Johnson City, Texas. The event raised $306,811 for mental health initiatives in the hospitality industry, clinical social workers in Fredericksburg ISD schools, and Texas wine industry sustainability.
• Carter Creek Winery Resort & SpaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCarter Creek Winery Resort & Spa in Johnson City, Texas served as the venue host for the 5th Annual Texas Wine Auction Weekend, a major fundraising event benefiting mental health initiatives and the Texas wine industry.
• Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower CentercoreGTM or Marketing Partner$5 from every bottle of Lady Bird Bourbon sold is donated to the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, an organization dedicated to preserving native plants of North America and fostering appreciation for nature's beauty. Lady Bird Bourbon honors the legacy of Lady Bird Johnson. The partnership connects product sales directly to environmental conservation.
• Texas Cave Management AssociationcoreGTM or Marketing Partner$5 from every bottle of Sonora Bourbon sold is donated to the Texas Cave Management Association, benefiting the Caverns of Sonora and helping to preserve one of Texas' most extraordinary natural wonders for future generations. Sonora is named after the Caverns of Sonora.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves14 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Wild Turkey: Campari-owned Kentucky bourbon producer with national distribution. Comparable as a broad incumbent in the U.S. bourbon category competing for similar on-premise and retail placements.
• Four Roses Bourbon: Kentucky bourbon with a deep expression lineup and awards pedigree. Comparable as a craft-leaning premium bourbon incumbent with broad SKU portfolio similar to Garrison Brothers' 15+ expressions.
• Maker's Mark: Beam Suntory-owned premium bourbon with national distribution and a craft/heritage brand story. Comparable as a larger incumbent in premium bourbon with deep DTC, tourism, and limited-release programs.
• Woodford Reserve: Brown-Forman-owned Kentucky bourbon with finishing-program expertise (Double Oaked, etc.). A broad incumbent comparable to Garrison Brothers in premium bourbon positioning, finishing innovation, and export/DTC sophistication.

Emerging players

• Wilderness Trail Distillery: Kentucky craft bourbon and rye producer with a focus on grain-to-glass production and innovation. Comparable as a craft American whiskey producer pursuing premium positioning and limited releases.
• WhistlePig: Vermont-based rye whiskey producer known for limited releases, finishing innovation, and a strong collector following. Comparable to Garrison Brothers in scarcity-driven demand and finishing-led product architecture.

Direct peers

• Milam & Greene Whiskey: Texas craft whiskey distillery with a portfolio of bourbon and rye expressions. Closely comparable to Garrison Brothers in craft positioning, Texas provenance, multi-SKU portfolio, and DTC/distribution mix.
• Treaty Oak Distilling: Texas-based craft distillery producing bourbon and other spirits. Direct comparable to Garrison Brothers as a fellow Texas craft whiskey producer competing for the same Hill Country DTC traffic and Texas bourbon shelf space.
• TX Whiskey (Garrison's closest craft Texas namesake competitor): Texas craft whiskey producer targeting the same premium bourbon enthusiast and collector segments as Garrison Brothers, competing directly in the Texas bourbon category.
• Still Austin Whiskey Co. Austin-based Texas distillery producing grain-to-glass bourbon and rye. A direct peer in the Texas craft whiskey category with overlapping distribution channels and customer segments.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCuDWzvIw72QezomndZ6p9Bg
• Facebookfacebook.com/garrisonbros
• Instagraminstagram.com/garrisonbros

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Garrison Brothers Distillery