Is Texas Known for Alcohol?
When you think of alcohol. Texas isn’t usually the first state that pops in your mind. Kentucky has its whiskey and bourbons. California has all its vineyards and wines. New York has its cider. But Texas? We’re more known for the beef that pairs with the beverage, not the drink itself.
Well not anymore.
Over the years, Texas has been gaining ground and slowly establishing itself as a state known for not just alcohol, but great alcohol.
So Why Texas?
So why has Texas decided to be a part of the world of alcohol? Well, for starters. Everything is bigger in Texas. And if something is big, you know we’re going to be a leader in it.
Secondly, we are culturally rich in history. Stemming from our cowboy and ranching traditions, Texas has a romanticized image of spirits. And we’re also a melting pot. Many have migrated to The Lone Star State looking for a better life. The German migrants in the 19th century brought their history and expertise of brewing beer and distilling spirits to San Antonio and Houston. Mexicans came and shared their tequila knowledge. And Californians left their state for the greener pastures of Texas and brought their love of wine and wine making with them. Don’t blame them one bit. So it naturally fostered a vibrant spirits scene. All of this have accumulated into Texas gaining national and international fame for its bourbons, wines, and spirits.
What Are the Most Popular Liquor Makers in Texas?
You’ve probably seen these Texas liquors on our shelves. Heck, you’ve probably been enjoying them for years. But we still want to sit down and pay tribute to some of the spirits made right here in The Lone Star State.
Firestone and Robertson TX Blended Whiskey
Founded by Leonard Firestone and Troy Robertson, Firestone & Robertson Distilling Co. is the first craft bourbon and whiskey distillery in North Texas. They saw it as an opportunity to innovate American blended Whiskeys so they could rival the best Scottish, Irish, and Canadian blends. And after two years of sampling and experimentation, they landed on Firestone & Robertson TX Blended Whiskey. This award-winning Texas liquor is a beautiful auburn color with notes of vanilla bean, oak, and pear. Its bold flavors of honey butter, banana, caramel, and coffee make for a smooth and long finish. To cap it all off, each bottle cap is handcrafted using repurposed Texas leathers from donated cowboy boots.
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Balcones Distilling Pot Still Bourbon
Balcones Distilling is among the most prominent amongst the 20+ registered whiskey distilleries in Texas, and for good reason. Their baby blue corn whiskey marked Texas’s first post-Prohibition whiskey. As a grain-to-glass distillery, Balcones handle all aspects of whiskey production internally. This Texan brand is celebrated for its exceptional quality, consistently meeting just 10% of market demand due to high popularity. They offer a diverse range of spirits, boasting a collection of 13 distinct offerings.
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Lone Star 1835 Texas Bourbon
Distilled in Fort Worth, Texas, this Texas liquor has proven to be wildly popular. This new blend adds more flavor to the original bourbon with bold oaky flavors and with subtle hints of vanilla that can be enjoyed mixed or straight up.
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Rebecca Creek Bourbon
Rebecca Creek’s Bottled-in-Bond Bourbon is a hidden gem that’s always worth grabbing. This Texas spirit boasts floral notes and gentle nutty undertones, complemented by a spicy black pepper finish that pairs perfectly with [specify context]. Crafted by Texas State alum Steve Son, this limited release won’t stick around for long.
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Garrison Bros. Bourbon Whiskey
Garrison Bros. is a family of bourbon lovers and makers who are fully committed to proving that the finest Bourbon Whiskey on the planet will be born in the Texas Hill country. And proved it they did with their Cowboy Bourbon. It’s Texas’ first legal bourbon and one of the most highly-coveted bourbon whiskies in America.
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Tito’s Handmade Vodka
You’ll be hard-pressed to find a bar in Texas that doesn’t carry Tito’s. This handmade vodka is hails from Austin, produced in Texas’ oldest distillery, and savored by spirit connoisseurs and everyday drinkers alike. Every batch they make is taste-tested and uses old-fashioned pot stills. A process similar to those used to make fine single malt scotches and high-end French cognacs. It requires more skill and effort than others, but it’s well worth it.
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Deep Eddy Vodka
Born in Austin and embraced throughout Texas, crafts seven vodka flavors, each column-distilled ten times from corn, Texas’s finest water, and natural essences. Their original vodka is renowned for its clean taste, but it’s their grapefruit vodka that truly made waves. Today, they offer a range including lemon, peach, sweet tea, orange, and cranberry. Whether in cocktails or straight, Deep Eddy exemplifies Texan vodka excellence.
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Desert Door Distillery Sotol
With its inviting tasting room, ample outdoor seating, and a distinctly Texan spirit, Desert Door Distillery is a destination not to be missed. They specialize in sotol, the raw material of Texas’ earliest alcoholic beverage enjoyed over 800 years ago. Desert Door Original offers an aroma reminiscent of premium tequila, featuring vibrant hints of vanilla and green grass. However, its taste diverges with notes of toffee, mint, and orange zest. The finish is remarkably smooth, akin to custard, enriched by subtle undertones of sage, setting it apart from any tequila experience.
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Tequila 512
Winner of a double gold medal and the title of “Best in Show” at the prestigious 15th annual San Francisco World Spirits Competition, this Austin tequila is impressive. Especially for a company that’s been around for less than five years! The aroma entices with honey and subtle vegetal notes. Meanwhile, the palate has a lightly fruity flavor, suggesting raspberry, honey, and vanilla, plus a sprinkle of cayenne on the crisp finish. So when they say it’s “The Perfect Anytime Tequila” they’re spot on.
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Dripping Springs Gin
Just like Spec’s, Dripping Springs is a Texan family-owned and operated venture. Founded by brothers Gary and Kevin Kelleher, their commitment lies in crafting premium vodka and gin. Their classic gin features a juniper-forward profile infused with a southwestern flair, catering to both G&T enthusiasts and mixologists seeking a robust and aromatic gin for cocktails of any kind.
Add to cartWhat Up and Coming Distilleries Should We Have on Our Radar?
Texas liquor isn’t just established distilleries. There’s many up and coming ones that we’re really excited about and we’d like to tell you about some of them.
Still Austin
Father and son co-founders, Cleveland and Chris Seals believe great bourbon can come from anywhere, especially Texas. So everything they do has The Lone Star State in mind. Their grains come from Lonestar Family Farms in North and West Texas, use sustainable barrels, and have harnessed a secret weapon you can’t get anywhere else. Texas weather. All resulting in a bourbon that was first released in 2020 and we’ve been enjoying immensely ever since.
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Fierce Whiskers
Fierce Whiskers is a unique Austin bourbon distillery that was founded in 2018 and embraces the ethos of “greatness through stubbornness.” They’re focused on producing the highest quality whiskey with an emphasis on efficiency and sustainability throughout every step of its process. They source local grains whenever possible, utilizes low-impact Kelvin Cooperage white oak barrels for aging its whiskey, and has built a unique five-story rickhouse with louvers to leverage the harsh Central Texas climate in the aging process. Come visit their distillery for tours and tastings Wednesdays through Sundays.
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Nue Vodka
Pronounced “new”, Nue is an award-winning Texas vodka that’s distilled seven times in Dallas. This new vodka has been winning awards left and right and recently came out with a zero carbs and zero sugar vodka we’ve been enjoying.
Add to cartWhat’s Next?
While we can’t say for certain what’s going to happen with Texas liquors in the future, we do know it’s going to be big. And we’re happy to be a part of it.
