Garrison Brothers – Laguna Madre 2025 (50.5%)

Laguna Madre 2025 is a Texas straight bourbon from Garrison Brothers, bottled at 101 proof (50.5%). It matured for eight years: four in new American white oak barrels and a further four in French Limousin oak casks. Master Distiller Donnis Todd selected the barrels in 2014, choosing 25-gallon Kelvin Cooperage casks filled with 114-proof white dog. It is the oldest bourbon Garrison Brothers has released, and the oldest made in Texas. The release is 3,000 bottles. The nose is root beer and Dr Pepper. The palate brings vanilla bean, hazelnut, saltwater taffy and Hershey's Kisses, and the finish recalls an Almond Joy, with white chocolate and almond butter.