Garrison Brothers Laguna Madre Bourbon 2026 Release

Garrison Brothers Laguna Madre Bourbon 2026 Release 750mL

Texas Straight Bourbon Whiskey | 50.5% ABV | 101 Proof | 750mL | 8 Year Age Statement | French Limousin Oak Finish | Limited to 3,000 Bottles

Process & Profile

Garrison Brothers Laguna Madre Bourbon 2026 Release is an eight-year Texas straight bourbon that combines extended maturation with four years of finishing in rare French Limousin oak. Produced in Hye, Texas, it is one of the distillery's most limited and mature annual releases.

The bourbon first spends four years aging in new American white oak barrels under the intense Texas Hill Country climate. It is then transferred into specially coopered French Limousin oak casks for an additional four years, bringing the total maturation to eight years.

Limousin oak is prized for its aromatic vanilla character and is far less commonly used in American bourbon maturation. The extended second-barrel aging develops a creamy profile layered with caramel, vanilla bean, hazelnut, chocolate, dried fruit, and toasted oak.

The 2026 Laguna Madre is bottled at 101 proof and limited to just 3,000 bottles, with each bottle presented in a custom wooden display case.

Tasting Notes

Nose: Caramel blondie, toffee, spiced raisins, vanilla, and seasoned oak

Palate: Creamy vanilla bean, roasted hazelnut, saltwater taffy, milk chocolate, root beer spice, and rich oak

Finish: Long and smooth with white chocolate, toasted almond, coconut sweetness, and lingering oak

What Makes It Special

Laguna Madre is distinguished by an unusually long secondary maturation. Rather than receiving a brief finishing period, the bourbon spends four full years in French Limousin oak after four years in American white oak, giving the finishing cask as much time to influence the whiskey as its original barrel.

The French oak casks are custom-made from limited Limousin oak sourced from central France and use a medium-plus toast designed to emphasize vanilla and other aromatic wood compounds. This contributes to the bourbon's characteristic creamy mouthfeel and dessert-driven flavors without losing the intensity associated with Texas-aged whiskey.

The 2026 release is the seventh annual Laguna Madre edition and is limited to only 3,000 bottles. Its combination of eight years of maturation, rare French oak, 101-proof bottling, and custom presentation makes it especially notable for collectors and fans of mature Texas bourbon.

The release also continues Garrison Brothers' connection to the Laguna Madre coastal region and helps raise awareness for FlatsWorthy, an organization focused on protecting Texas coastal habitats.

How to Enjoy

Enjoy Garrison Brothers Laguna Madre 2026 neat in a whiskey or tulip-shaped glass. Allowing the bourbon to rest for several minutes helps open its caramel, vanilla, hazelnut, chocolate, and dried-fruit aromas.

At 101 proof, a few drops of water can reveal additional sweetness and soften the mature oak. One large ice cube can also provide gradual dilution while preserving its creamy texture and concentrated flavor.

Given its eight-year maturation and limited 3,000-bottle production, Laguna Madre is particularly suited to slow sipping, collecting, gifting, or opening for a special occasion.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is Garrison Brothers Laguna Madre Bourbon 2026 Release?

Garrison Brothers Laguna Madre 2026 is an eight-year Texas straight bourbon aged four years in American white oak and then matured for another four years in rare French Limousin oak casks.

2. How many bottles of Garrison Brothers Laguna Madre 2026 were made?

Only 3,000 bottles of the standard 101-proof Laguna Madre were produced for the 2026 release.

3. What proof is Garrison Brothers Laguna Madre Bourbon 2026?

Garrison Brothers Laguna Madre 2026 is bottled at 101 proof, which equals 50.5% alcohol by volume.

4. What does Garrison Brothers Laguna Madre 2026 taste like?

It offers a rich, creamy profile with caramel, toffee, spiced raisins, vanilla bean, hazelnut, milk chocolate, root beer spice, white chocolate, toasted almond, and oak.

5. Where can I buy Garrison Brothers Laguna Madre Bourbon 2026 Release?

You can buy Garrison Brothers Laguna Madre Bourbon 2026 Release directly from The Barrel Tap, where you can shop bourbon whiskey and other premium spirits online.