#TXBS2019
TEXAS BOURBON DISTILLERIES
TEXAS BOURBON DISTILLERIES
Although all Texas Bourbon Distilleries are eligible to enter their bourbon into the 2019 Texas Bourbon Shootout, the following distilleries feel confident that their product has what it takes to be crowned
THE BEST BOURBON IN TEXAS!
Although all Texas Bourbon Distilleries are eligible to enter their bourbon into the 2019 Texas Bourbon Shootout, the following distilleries feel confident that their product has what it takes to be crowned
THE BEST BOURBON IN TEXAS!
Garrison Brothers Distillery
OWNER: Dan Garrison
MASTER DISTILLER: Donnis Todd
BOURBON ENTERED: BALMORHEA
Surviving a Texas Summer is damn near impossible.Our first batch of bourbon didn't stand a chance. The scorching heat nuked the barrels. They leaked, cracked, broke and altogether hundreds of gallons were lost, but
IRONROOT REPUBLIC
FOUNDERS & DISTILLERS: Robert & Jonathan Likarish
DENISON, TEXAS
BOURBON ENTERED: TBD
Fueled by the brother's collective passions, Ironroot Republic's innovative spirits are sophisticated, modern, and crafted to pay tribute to their Texas roots. Their handcrafted spirits are focused on fresh, local, and non-GMO ingredients. They mash, ferment, distill, barrel-age and bottle in Denison, Texas; making them a true grain to glass distillery.
Dan’s spirit was stronger than his casks. It never bent, snapped, nor crumbled. He found a cooperage who was willing to form custom barrels with staves thick enough to stand up to the Texas heat. All 130 degrees of it.
There’s nothing quite like Texas Pride, and Dan and his team were hell-bent on doing whatever it took to make the very first, legal Texas bourbon.
"WE ARE A FAMILY OF BOURBON MAKERS AND BOURBON LOVERS, FULLY COMMITTED TO PROVING THAT THE FINEST BOURBON WHISKEY ON THE PLANET WILL BE BORN IN THE TEXAS HILL COUNTRY. A BOURBON THAT BEYOND ITS INCREDIBLE TASTE, ALSO HAS THE POWER TO FORTIFY FRIENDSHIPS AND FAITH, WHILE INSPIRING LEGENDARY STORIES FOR LIFE."
BALCONES
PRESIDENT/COO: KEITH BELLINGER
MASTER DISTILLER: JARED HIMSTEDT
BOURBON ENTERED: TEXAS BLUE CORN BOURBON
In 2008, Balcones was nothing more than an idea driven by a passion to create something original and authentic, right here in the Heart of Texas. It all started in an old welding shop under a bridge in Waco. For the next year, we replaced the roofing, knocked out walls, laid brick, cut
pipes, installed copper pot stills from Portugal, and shoehorned a whisky distillery inside that quaint building. Proud of what we had accomplished on our own, we began distilling in 2009.​ Our spirits have been recognized worldwide for their bold and intense flavors. We’ve won more awards than we can count, but they are only a testament to the devoted team that craft whiskies day in, day out. We’ve made a significant investment not only in our operations and whiskies, but in the community that we know and love as Waco.​
TREATY OAK DISTILLING
FOUNDER & CEO: DANIEL BARNES
BOURBON ENTERED: GHOST HILL
Treaty Oak Distillery is named after the famous 500-year old tree in Austin, under which Stephen F. Austin signed agreements defining the borders of Texas. Our gins are called Waterloo, after the original name of Austin. We
moved to Dripping Springs, a place with a rich history of gatherings and shared perspectives. In 2016, Daniel headed the expansion of Treaty Oak by moving to the 28-acre property in Dripping Springs, Texas, that is now open to the public for food and beverage service, as well live music, a ground breaking Cocktail Lab, and room for the ever expanding whiskey and gin production.
KIEPERSOL
OWNER: MARNELLE DURRETT
MASTER DISTILLER: JIM DURRETT
BOURBON ENTERED: JIMMY'S
The Distillery at Kiepersol is home to four farmer-designed stills that, in contrast with our rushed lifestyle, slowly produce distilled spirits that will love you. Out of non-traditional practices comes forth an experience not to miss...a tour and a taste of the love and the labor of our East Texas wine farm. A place where most agree the local outshines the import and that trade and tradition are truly shared with every visitor from near and far. From our veranda, we offer the best view in East Texas.
RANGER CREEK
OWNER: TJ MILLER, DENNIS RYLANDER &
MARK MCDAVID
MASTER DISTILLER: ALLAN HALL
BOURBON ENTERED: .36 SB
Ranger Creek is a combined brewery/distillery proudly located in San Antonio, TX. Established in 2010, we make beer and whiskey in our “brewstillery”, and we make it by hand one batch at a time with lots of love and attention. .36 Texas Straight Bourbon is our flagship whiskey, handcrafted in small batches, aged in traditional large oak acasks and matured under the Texas Sun. It's an award winning sipping bourbon that is also cocktail friendly. Each Batch follows our grain-to-glass philosophy. Texas Corn is milled, sour-mashed, fermented, double distilled, and aged at our San Antonio Distillery.
DEVILS RIVER
OWNER: MIKE CAMERON
​
BOURBON ENTERED: DEVILS RIVER
Devils River small batch whiskey is bold, capturing the untamable spirit of the water it’s sourced from. A part of the Rio Grande basin system, the Devils River is remote and wild, demanding respect for the raw power of its waters and the rugged beauty of its landscape. The river’s naturally filtered limestone spring water is considered the purest water in Texas. The sweet iron free water helps create a bold, Sinfully Smooth Whiskey with a smooth, warm finish.
FIRESTONE & ROBERTSON
OWNERS: LEONARD FIRESTONE & TROY ROBERTSON
MASTER DISTILLER: ROB ARNOLD
BOURBON ENTERED: TX BOURBON
We love everything about the world of whiskey: the history, the people, the techniques, the art, the science, the equipment and the satisfaction of sharing an incredible bottle with friends. But we didn’t always know that we shared the same passion – or that we both wanted to leave the corporate world to act on the same entrepreneurial instinct.
We became friends a few years ago, because our kids were in the same playgroup, but neither one of us had any idea of the other’s distillation dreams – until we both independently made plans to visit the same craft distillery to learn more about the trade.
.png)
Troy got there first, and while chatting with the owner, discovered that “another Fort Worth guy” had scheduled a visit the following week. Imagine Troy’s surprise when he found out it was Leonard.
“I hear you want to get into the whiskey business?” Troy said when he called Leonard later.
Leonard, who’d told no one but his wife about his plans, was floored. We got together for lunch the next day and quickly discovered we had the same vision for creating truly Texas whiskeys, and the same obsession with old-fashioned craftsmanship. We both had extensive experience with startup companies, and we immediately realized that together, we had the passion and know-how to make our whiskey dreams a reality.
We set out to find a suitable building for our distillery, and finally found the perfect location – a reclaimed prohibition-era warehouse just south of downtown Fort Worth. We completely renovated the interior, using materials we found in the building. Then we added two brand new copper pot-column hybrid stills, custom built to our specifications by Vendome Copper & Brass Works, Inc., the top still manufacturer in the United States.
We think the distillery is just awesome. And we think the whiskeys we’re producing are exceptional. We’d like nothing better than to show you how we create them, and, of course, give you a sample of each delicious product. Please come visit us. That would make us (and hopefully you) very happy.
YELLOW ROSE
MASTER DISTILLER: HOUSTON FARRIS
BOURBON ENTERED: OUTLAW
So the legend goes, in 1836 at the battle of San Jacinto, the Yellow Rose of Texas ensured General Sam Houston’s victory paving the way for the Republic of Texas. Located in the heart of Houston, Texas, Yellow Rose Distillery proudly honors the history of this great state.Have you ever sat around with your friends, enjoying your favorite beverage, and had a dream to create something new? Founded in 2010, Yellow Rose is the brain child of several friends after a night like that. Yellow Rose launched into the Texas market in 2012.
We believe it takes a lot more than talk to create something great. After years of hard work and dedication, we are proud to be Houston’s First Legal Whiskey Distillery!
We are fresh off of a Best In Class award for our Yellow Rose Outlaw Bourbon at the American Distilling Institute and a Double Gold for our Yellow Rose Straight Rye Whiskey at the San Francisco Artisan Spirits. With accolades like these it’s no wonder Yellow Rose Distilling is making its mark in the artisan spirits sector. We’re quickly finding homes in markets throughout the US. While we started in Texas, we are growing quickly across the country and internationally.
Garrison Brothers Distillery
OWNER: Dan Garrison
MASTER DISTILLER: Donnis Todd
BOURBON ENTERED: BALMORHEA
Surviving a Texas Summer is damn near impossible.Our first batch of bourbon didn't stand a chance. The scorching heat nuked the barrels. They leaked, cracked, broke and altogether hundreds of gallons were lost, but
IRONROOT REPUBLIC
FOUNDERS & DISTILLERS: Robert & Jonathan Likarish
DENISON, TEXAS
BOURBON ENTERED: TBD
Fueled by the brother's collective passions, Ironroot Republic's innovative spirits are sophisticated, modern, and crafted to pay tribute to their Texas roots. Their handcrafted spirits are focused on fresh, local, and non-GMO ingredients. They mash, ferment, distill, barrel-age and bottle in Denison, Texas; making them a true grain to glass distillery.
Dan’s spirit was stronger than his casks. It never bent, snapped, nor crumbled. He found a cooperage who was willing to form custom barrels with staves thick enough to stand up to the Texas heat. All 130 degrees of it.
There’s nothing quite like Texas Pride, and Dan and his team were hell-bent on doing whatever it took to make the very first, legal Texas bourbon.
"WE ARE A FAMILY OF BOURBON MAKERS AND BOURBON LOVERS, FULLY COMMITTED TO PROVING THAT THE FINEST BOURBON WHISKEY ON THE PLANET WILL BE BORN IN THE TEXAS HILL COUNTRY. A BOURBON THAT BEYOND ITS INCREDIBLE TASTE, ALSO HAS THE POWER TO FORTIFY FRIENDSHIPS AND FAITH, WHILE INSPIRING LEGENDARY STORIES FOR LIFE."
BALCONES
PRESIDENT/COO: KEITH BELLINGER
MASTER DISTILLER: JARED HIMSTEDT
BOURBON ENTERED: TEXAS BLUE CORN BOURBON
In 2008, Balcones was nothing more than an idea driven by a passion to create something original and authentic, right here in the Heart of Texas. It all started in an old welding shop under a bridge in Waco. For the next year, we replaced the roofing, knocked out walls, laid brick, cut
pipes, installed copper pot stills from Portugal, and shoehorned a whisky distillery inside that quaint building. Proud of what we had accomplished on our own, we began distilling in 2009.​ Our spirits have been recognized worldwide for their bold and intense flavors. We’ve won more awards than we can count, but they are only a testament to the devoted team that craft whiskies day in, day out. We’ve made a significant investment not only in our operations and whiskies, but in the community that we know and love as Waco.​
TREATY OAK DISTILLING
FOUNDER & CEO: DANIEL BARNES
BOURBON ENTERED: GHOST HILL
Treaty Oak Distillery is named after the famous 500-year old tree in Austin, under which Stephen F. Austin signed agreements defining the borders of Texas. Our gins are called Waterloo, after the original name of Austin. We
moved to Dripping Springs, a place with a rich history of gatherings and shared perspectives. In 2016, Daniel headed the expansion of Treaty Oak by moving to the 28-acre property in Dripping Springs, Texas, that is now open to the public for food and beverage service, as well live music, a ground breaking Cocktail Lab, and room for the ever expanding whiskey and gin production.
KIEPERSOL
OWNER: MARNELLE DURRETT
MASTER DISTILLER: JIM DURRETT
BOURBON ENTERED: JIMMY'S
The Distillery at Kiepersol is home to four farmer-designed stills that, in contrast with our rushed lifestyle, slowly produce distilled spirits that will love you. Out of non-traditional practices comes forth an experience not to miss...a tour and a taste of the love and the labor of our East Texas wine farm. A place where most agree the local outshines the import and that trade and tradition are truly shared with every visitor from near and far. From our veranda, we offer the best view in East Texas.
RANGER CREEK
OWNER: TJ MILLER, DENNIS RYLANDER &
MARK MCDAVID
MASTER DISTILLER: ALLAN HALL
BOURBON ENTERED: .36 SB
Ranger Creek is a combined brewery/distillery proudly located in San Antonio, TX. Established in 2010, we make beer and whiskey in our “brewstillery”, and we make it by hand one batch at a time with lots of love and attention. .36 Texas Straight Bourbon is our flagship whiskey, handcrafted in small batches, aged in traditional large oak acasks and matured under the Texas Sun. It's an award winning sipping bourbon that is also cocktail friendly. Each Batch follows our grain-to-glass philosophy. Texas Corn is milled, sour-mashed, fermented, double distilled, and aged at our San Antonio Distillery.
DEVILS RIVER
OWNER: MIKE CAMERON
​
BOURBON ENTERED: DEVILS RIVER
Devils River small batch whiskey is bold, capturing the untamable spirit of the water it’s sourced from. A part of the Rio Grande basin system, the Devils River is remote and wild, demanding respect for the raw power of its waters and the rugged beauty of its landscape. The river’s naturally filtered limestone spring water is considered the purest water in Texas. The sweet iron free water helps create a bold, Sinfully Smooth Whiskey with a smooth, warm finish.
FIRESTONE & ROBERTSON
OWNERS: LEONARD FIRESTONE & TROY ROBERTSON
MASTER DISTILLER: ROB ARNOLD
BOURBON ENTERED: TX BOURBON
We love everything about the world of whiskey: the history, the people, the techniques, the art, the science, the equipment and the satisfaction of sharing an incredible bottle with friends. But we didn’t always know that we shared the same passion – or that we both wanted to leave the corporate world to act on the same entrepreneurial instinct.
We became friends a few years ago, because our kids were in the same playgroup, but neither one of us had any idea of the other’s distillation dreams – until we both independently made plans to visit the same craft distillery to learn more about the trade.
Troy got there first, and while chatting with the owner, discovered that “another Fort Worth guy” had scheduled a visit the following week. Imagine Troy’s surprise when he found out it was Leonard.
“I hear you want to get into the whiskey business?” Troy said when he called Leonard later.
Leonard, who’d told no one but his wife about his plans, was floored. We got together for lunch the next day and quickly discovered we had the same vision for creating truly Texas whiskeys, and the same obsession with old-fashioned craftsmanship. We both had extensive experience with startup companies, and we immediately realized that together, we had the passion and know-how to make our whiskey dreams a reality.
We set out to find a suitable building for our distillery, and finally found the perfect location – a reclaimed prohibition-era warehouse just south of downtown Fort Worth. We completely renovated the interior, using materials we found in the building. Then we added two brand new copper pot-column hybrid stills, custom built to our specifications by Vendome Copper & Brass Works, Inc., the top still manufacturer in the United States.
We think the distillery is just awesome. And we think the whiskeys we’re producing are exceptional. We’d like nothing better than to show you how we create them, and, of course, give you a sample of each delicious product. Please come visit us. That would make us (and hopefully you) very happy.
YELLOW ROSE
MASTER DISTILLER: HOUSTON FARRIS
BOURBON ENTERED: OUTLAW
So the legend goes, in 1836 at the battle of San Jacinto, the Yellow Rose of Texas ensured General Sam Houston’s victory paving the way for the Republic of Texas. Located in the heart of Houston, Texas, Yellow Rose Distillery proudly honors the history of this great state.Have you ever sat around with your friends, enjoying your favorite beverage, and had a dream to create something new? Founded in 2010, Yellow Rose is the brain child of several friends after a night like that. Yellow Rose launched into the Texas market in 2012.
We believe it takes a lot more than talk to create something great. After years of hard work and dedication, we are proud to be Houston’s First Legal Whiskey Distillery!
We are fresh off of a Best In Class award for our Yellow Rose Outlaw Bourbon at the American Distilling Institute and a Double Gold for our Yellow Rose Straight Rye Whiskey at the San Francisco Artisan Spirits. With accolades like these it’s no wonder Yellow Rose Distilling is making its mark in the artisan spirits sector. We’re quickly finding homes in markets throughout the US. While we started in Texas, we are growing quickly across the country and internationally.
HERMAN MARSHALL
OWNERS & DISTILLERS: MARSHALL LOUIS & HERMAN BECKLEY
BOURBON ENTERED: HM Texas Bourbon
It all began nearly 15 years ago at neighborhood North Dallas Starbucks. Marshall Louis and Herman Beckley met by accident while ordering their morning coffee. A friendship quickly developed and daily visits for coffee turned into ritual. As time passed, a small group of friends began to gather on weekends for coffee at that very same coffee shop. One day Marshall brought with him a copy of Benjamin Franklin's book "The way to Wealth". Reading just one page every weekend immediately
resulted in lively discussions. The quotes from Franklin's book were the catalyst for debate on many a weekend morning. Nobody really remembers when whiskey became the subject of debate, but once it did nothing else was discussed with the same intensity. Over the next 4 years all the ideas and plans for a Texas distillery were put to paper.
While whiskey has always been a favorite among Texans, many have had to look to producers in other states and even other countries to provide them with the spirit.With a handful of whiskey distilleries emerging across Texas over the past few years, the Dallas area can now proudly add its name to that list, as Herman Marshall Whiskey launches two of its products into spirits retailers across North Texas. After meeting 16 years ago and following years of research and production, co-founders Marshall Louis and Herman Beckley built Dallas Distilleries, producers of Herman Marshall Whiskey, with the sole interest of producing the finest whiskies in the region. "Herman and myself began this process nearly 11 years ago not as a business, but as a hobby that we both really enjoyed," said Marshall Louis, President of Dallas Distilleries.