American Distilling Institute Honors Texas’ First Legal Bourbon Distillery with Prestigious Bubble Cap Award
HYE, TX (August 24, 2023) –On Wednesday August 23, 2023, Garrison Brothers Distillery, Texas’s first legal bourbon distillery, was named Distillery of the Year and awarded the prestigious Bubble Cap award at the annual American Distilling Institute (ADI) gala, which took place in Las Vegas, Nevada during the ADI 2023 Crafts Spirits Conference & Expo. Garrison Brothers’ founders, Dan and Nancy Garrison, were on stage to accept the award presented by American Distilling Institute’s President, Erik Owens.
“It’s taken us two decades get to this level in this wonderful industry. This recognition means the world to Nancy and I and we are so thankful to the American Distilling Institute’s leaders and members. We hope we’ve set a good example for those who have climbed this mountain alongside us and to those who are new to distilling” shares Dan Garrison, Founder Garrison Brothers.
Garrison Brothers Distillery, located in the small town of Hye in the beautiful Texas Hill Country, first introduced its Texas straight bourbon whiskey in 2010. With Master Distiller Donnis Todd at the helm since 2008, every expression is made from a sweet mash bill and barrel-aged in the intense Texas climate. The extreme heat creates multiple aging seasons in one year, resulting in a darker, richer, textured bourbon, bolder than most others on the market. To date, Garrison Brothers has released nine bourbon expressions which include: Balmorhea, Cowboy Bourbon®, Guadalupe, HoneyDew, Lady Bird, Laguna Madre, Hye Rye, Single Barrel, and Small Batch. With legions of dedicated fans around the world, their beloved bourbon is currently sold and served in 46 states and 4 countries.
Built into the ethos of the brand is social impact and the belief that good bourbon can change the world. The Garrison Brothers team regularly ties their new product releases to supporting worthy causes to drive awareness and funds to hand selected non-profit organizations, through their public charity Good Bourbon for a Good Cause. To date, Good Bourbon for a Good Cause has donated $1.6 million dollars to philanthropy. In 2020, Garrison Brothers dedicated the release of their oldest and rarest bourbon to date, Laguna Madre, to launch Operation Crush COVID-19 raising more than $400,000.00 to help the American hospitality industry recover and rebuild from the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. In 2023, Garrison Brothers launched a new expression, Lady Bird, which sold out in just days and benefitted the preservation of native wildflowers and plants across the state of Texas through the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. For each bottle sold, Garrison Brothers committed $5 to the organization, recently donating $30,000.00 to the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center from those sales.
In addition to social impact, since 2006, Dan Garrison, who is also an original member of ADI, has been a leading voice in legislative efforts to improve business for the craft spirits industry across the state of Texas and the U.S. Since 2008, the Distillery of the Year award, which is affectionately known as The Bubble Cap Award, has been given to distilleries that have raised the bar of the craft distilling industry, by making world class spirits and improving the legislative landscape for craft distillers.
“Garrison Brothers Distillery is a true pioneer in the craft distilling industry,” said ADI president Erik Owens. “Dan Garrison has been attending the ADI conference since 2009 to share his expertise with the industry, including speaking on panels and delivering the keynote address at our 2013 conference in Denver. He’s also been instrumental in creating the Certified Texas Whiskey program, which has inspired regional distillers across the country. That generosity of spirit and singular focus on elevating the profile of Texas whiskey are why we’re proud to award this year’s Bubble Cap award to Garrison Brothers Distillery.”
Garrison Brothers Distillery, located approximately 1.5 hours from Austin, is open to the public for tours and tastings. Reservations are highly recommended. If you don’t mind patiently waiting on a waitlist of over 18,000 good people, Garrison Brothers also welcomes anyone 21 years of age or older to sign up for a volunteer bottling session. To learn more about Garrison Brothers, go to www.garrisonbros.com.
About Garrison Brothers Distillery
Garrison Brothers Distillery is a small farm and ranch located in the beautiful Texas Hill Country that authentically produces straight bourbon whiskey. Garrison Brothers introduced the first bourbon whiskey legally made in Texas in 2010 and has since developed a rabid fan base. They currently have a waitlist of more than 18,000 just to volunteer on bottling days, and their Cowboy Bourbon® normally sells out within hours of its release.
Garrison Brothers is the first legal bourbon distillery in Texas history and the first distillery outside of Kentucky to produce authentic, handmade bourbon whiskey—and only bourbon whiskey.
Every expression of Garrison Brothers bourbon is made from a sweet mash bill and barrel-aged in the intense Texas climate. The extreme heat creates multiple aging seasons in a year, resulting in a darker, richer, and fuller bourbon, bolder than almost any other bourbon on the market.
Garrison Brothers' bourbon is consistently awarded Best Of, Platinum and Gold at prestigious spirits competitions around the world. Cowboy Bourbon® has been recognized with numerous Platinum and Gold awards at several prestigious spirits competitions, such as the 2023 SIP Awards, the 2023 ASCOT Awards and the 2023 TAG Global Spirit Awards. Garrison Brothers’ Guadalupe was awarded Best in Show and Platinum at the 2023 ASCOT Awards as well as Consumer's Choice Award and Gold at the 2023 SIP Awards and Spirit of the Year, Best Multi-Barrel Whiskey and Platinum at the San Diego International Wine & Spirits Challenge. The 2022 Berlin International Spirits Competition awarded Garrison Brothers Distillery with USA Whiskey Distillery of the Year.
Garrison Brothers is a proud and active member of the communities of Blanco, Fredericksburg, Hye, Johnson City, and Stonewall. The distillery and its barrel barns are open to the public for tours in Hye, Texas. Anyone interested in learning more about Garrison Brothers Bourbon or in taking a tour of the distillery should visit garrisonbros.com or follow @garrisonbros on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
About American Distilling Institute
American Distilling Institute (ADI) takes immense pride in being the leading small-batch, independently owned craft distillery association worldwide, with a strong commitment to fostering community education and industry inclusiveness. As advocates for the craft distilling enterprise, we celebrate the passion and unwavering independence of our community. Our primary focus lies in organizing enriching industry events and offering comprehensive developmental and educational resources, all geared towards fostering the growth and prosperity of the craft distilling art.
Through our dedication to community education, ADI aims to empower distillers with the knowledge and skills necessary to excel in their craft. By providing inclusive opportunities for learning and collaboration, we actively promote diversity within the industry and strive to break down barriers that may hinder aspiring distillers from all backgrounds.
Our vision for the future centers on a more inclusive and accessible craft distilling landscape, where all individuals, regardless of their background, have the chance to contribute and thrive. Together, we can build a stronger, united community that cherishes the art of craft distilling and advances towards a more diverse and enriched industry for generations to come.
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Media Contact| Di Moda Public Relations | 310.288.0077 | garrisonbros@dimodapr.com