HYE, TX (July 7, 2026) – Garrison Brothers, the first and oldest legal whiskey distillery in Texas, has officially announced the return of one of its most coveted and highly allocated expressions: Laguna Madre Texas Straight Bourbon Whiskey. The ultra-premium, 8-year-old bourbon will make its return on Saturday, August 8, 2026.
Marking its lucky seventh year, the 2026 release brings an unprecedented addition to the lineup: a highly limited Cask Strength Single Barrel Laguna Madre, bottled uncut at a massive 135.4 proof exclusively for collectors.
The distillery gates in Hye, Texas, will open at 8:00 AM on August 8 to welcome bourbon aficionados. The 2026 release yielded 3,000 total bottles, with the first 1,000 allocated for the distillery event. The remaining 2,000 bottles will land at select retail accounts and on Garrison Brothers’ e-commerce site starting Friday, August 14, 2026.
Double Barreled: White American Oak and Rare French Limousin Oak
Garrison Brothers Laguna Madre is aged for a full eight years, heavily influenced by the extreme microclimate of the Texas Hill Country. The liquid spends its first four years in hand-selected new white American oak barrels before Master Distiller Donnis Todd transfers the bourbon into rare French Limousin oak casks for an additional four years of maturation.
Prized for its heavy vanilla and lignin structure, the Limousin oak gives this 101-proof cherry-mahogany bourbon a decadent flavor profile.
Official Tasting Notes:
- The Profile: Notes of rich vanilla bean, toasted hazelnut, saltwater taffy, and milk chocolate.
- Mouthfeel: A creamy, full texture reminiscent of an Almond Joy candy bar.
Bourbon with a Purpose: Supporting FlatsWorthy
The origins of Laguna Madre are rooted in philanthropy, with its inaugural 2020 release raising over $400,000 for hospitality workers during the pandemic. The 2026 release continues this charitable mission by spreading awareness and fundraising for FlatsWorthy, Inc., a nonprofit coalition of diverse anglers dedicated to protecting Texas’ coastal habitats.
Each standard bottle is housed in a custom-built wooden display case framed by a photo of the Texas Gulf Coast. The ultra-rare Cask Strength Single Barrel version stands out in a custom silver-wax dipped bottle accented with Laguna Madre tan, a colored metal front label, and a signature wooden display box.
In Their Words
“As we celebrate the seventh release of Laguna Madre, I’m thrilled to share the 2026 expression alongside a limited number of Cask Strength Single Barrel Laguna Madre bottles. This eight-year-aged bourbon continues to deepen the conversation around Texas terroir, shaped by rare French oak casks and the powerful heat that makes aging whiskey in the Hill Country so distinctive,” said Donnis Todd, Master Distiller at Garrison Brothers.
Pricing and Retail Availability
- 2026 Garrison Brothers Laguna Madre (101 Proof): Arriving at select retail accounts nationwide in September 2026 with a suggested retail price of $349.99.
- 2026 Cask Strength Single Barrel Laguna Madre (135.4 Proof): Available exclusively on-site at the Garrison Brothers Distillery in Hye, Texas, retailing for $409.99.
For more information or to purchase online, visit www.garrisonbros.com.
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