Garrison Brothers Distillery of Hye, Texas, recently released its rarest, oldest and most coveted expression, Laguna Madre. Hundreds of Garrison Brothers fans and bourbon aficionados lined up in the early morning hours on Saturday outside the distillery gates to be among the first to gain access to this year’s release. In its fifth year, the 2024 release of Laguna Madre yielded a total of 3,000 total bottles, with the first 1,000 released during Saturday’s event.
Garrison Brothers Laguna Madre matures eight full years before its release. It is first aged for four years in hand selected white American oak barrels and then transferred into very rare Limousin oak casks for another four years of aging in the Texas hill country heat. Limousin oak is sourced from the central forests in France and is prized for its powerful vanilla and lignin content. Trees from the forest can only be harvested when they are 120 years of age or older. Quantities of these special casks are extremely limited. At 101 proof, this year’s Laguna Madre shares tasting notes of root beer, vanilla bean, hazelnut, saltwater taffy, chocolate gems and an “adults only” candy bar finish. This rare bourbon has a creamy mouthfeel, much like almond butter.
“This year’s release, enjoyed correctly and respected, is as spectacular and unique as the Laguna Madre Bay” shares Donnis Todd, Master Distiller Garrison Brothers.
The first release of Garrison Brothers’ Laguna Madre in 2020 was dedicated to help raise funds for Team Rubicon and the local hospitality community in hill country through an initiative Operation Crush COVID -19. Garrison Brothers was able to raise over $400,000 for those affected during the pandemic from the sales of this special new bourbon release and other fundraisers. Laguna Madre has won notable spirit awards, gaining national attention. Most recently winning a Double Gold from the 2024 TAG Global Spirits Awards and Gold from both the 2024 San Francisco World Spirits Competition and the 2024 Ascot Awards.
The 2024 Laguna Madre release is also helping spread the mission and fundraising needs for non-profit organization FlatsWorthy, through in package messaging and special events support. A charity that Garrison Brothers’ Donnis Todd and his son are involved with, FlatsWorthy, Inc., is a coalition of diverse anglers practicing mutual respect while sharing the same resource. Formed in 2015 in Aransas County, Texas, their focus has been Texas’ coastal area with reach across the state and south. Their mission is accomplished through public awareness and education, participation in habitat restoration, and involvement with state and federal agencies in resource protection.Each bottle of Garrison Brothers Laguna Madre is housed in custom-built wooden display case, framed by a photo of the Texas Gulf Coast and accompanied by informational assets about FlatsWorthy.
Laguna Madre will be available at limited bars, restaurants and retailers in the beginning of August. The suggested retail price is $349.00.
For more information on Laguna Madre and Garrison Brothers, go to www.garrisonbros.com.