The relentless Texas heat is brutal. Out here, it’s 100 degrees nine months out of the year; hotter inside a steel barn. It might seem crazy to buy the highest quality barrels and torture them in this heat, but doing so allows our bourbon to suck all the flavor it can from our new American oak barrels. As it matures, the bourbon cycles through the wood’s pores and crevices, soaking in the sugars from the sap, and yielding an aroma brimming of butterscotch, nutmeg, and vanilla. Notes of fruit dominate the palate, with hints of butter, whipped cream, angel food cake and oak. The finish is smooth, with chocolate and espresso notes. A true tour de force of flavor.

Originally released in August 2018 as an “experimental” available only at the distillery, Garrison Brothers HoneyDew was an overnight success, ultimately leading to its commercial release.

Several well-known brands have released honey-infused whiskies, but none make it the way our Master Distiller, Donnis Todd, does. Used bourbon barrels are transformed into small wooden cubes, which are then immersed in Burleson’s Texas Wildflower Honey. After absorbing the honey, an infusion done in part through a patented technique, the cubes are placed in the belly of a stainless steel tank with our Small Batch Bourbon for seven months, allowing the bourbon to soak in the delicate honey flavors.

The project was 11 years in the making and marked a significant departure from previous releases. Nancy Garrison, co-founder of Garrison Brothers Distillery, had wanted to produce a honey-sweetened bourbon whiskey since the business began in 2006. However, Dan Garrison resisted the idea due to his dislike of “flavored whiskies,” which are often sticky, overly sweet concoctions made with artificial ingredients like propylene glycol. But HoneyDew is different. It’s made the Garrison Brothers way, using our award-winning Small Batch Texas Straight Bourbon Whiskey, gently infused with delicious, golden wildflower honey.

This whiskey presents a sunlit amber appearance, capturing the warmth of a Texas sunset. On the nose, it offers a rich aroma of caramel, deep oak, toasted brown sugar, and molasses, evoking the comfort of a well-aged spirit. The palate opens with sweet elderberry syrup, followed by layers of ripe peaches, apricots, and Texas wildflower honey, all gently wrapped in subtle notes of white chocolate. The finish is lingering and warm, showcasing charred oak and a return of that distinctive wildflower honey, rounding out this elegant expression bottled at 40% ABV.

Garrison Brothers Honey Dew Straight Bourbon Whiskey Notes To Your Senses: