Texas Gold: Hush and Whisper Takes Home the Hardware

Sometimes the best things come from the most unexpected places. While Kentucky gets all the bourbon love and Tennessee claims the whiskey crown, a little distillery in Texas just proved that everything really is bigger—and better—down south.

Hush and Whisper just snagged Gold at the American Distiller's Institute for their Straight Rye Whiskey, and honestly? It's great to see another Texas whiskey get some recognition in the whiskey game.

What makes Hush and Whisper special isn't just their award-winning rye (though that's pretty damn impressive). It's the way they're quietly revolutionizing what Texas whiskey can be. Read more…

Johnny Pickles Distillery: More than a Mobster Name

Johnny Pickles Distillery has done a lot within a short timespan to leave a mark on the Texas whiskey community. Finding themselves a home within the humble town of Seguin, Texas, they have come out with powerful whiskeys.

At the helm of it all is an equally powerful duo Nate and Jen. A husband and wife, whom after a few healthy pours around a campfire, and boisterous laughs, came up with a memorable ‘mobster’ nickname for a family member… Johnny Pickles. Read more…

This month, we’re highlighting award winning Texas whiskeys, as well as a few new releases for the fall. Texas Whiskey has never been bigger, so sit back, relax, and enjoy some award-winning favorites and get ready to discover some new Texas Whiskey treasures.

This one surprised me in more than one way and it is no surprise they won American Distilling Institute’s America’s Best Wheat Whiskey in 2025. Such a well put together offering from them and could not be happier for them and their achievements with this one. Read the full review.

2025 Winner of:
ADI Gold Medal - Wheat Whiskey Category
ADI Best in Category - America’s Best Wheat Whiskey
ADI Shortlist for Best Bottled in Bond Whiskey

📍 BENDT Distilling Co.
225 S. Charles Street
Lewisville, TX 75057

*****

This isn’t a shy whiskey—it’s a rye that wears its spice on its sleeve, but gives enough sweetness to keep you reaching for another sip. Perfect neat if you love bold flavors, with a single cube if you want to stretch out the finish, or as the backbone of a Manhattan that actually tastes like rye. Read the full review.

2025 Winner of:
ADI Gold Medal - Rye Whiskey Category
ADI Silver Medal - Whiskey Category

📍 Hush & Whisper Distilling Company
219 N Main St
Bryan, TX 77803

*****

From Milam & Greene Whiskey: Milam & Greene, the award-winning Texas-based distillery known for its innovation and craftsmanship, proudly announces the release of Provisions Bourbon, a distinctive new expression that joins its acclaimed portfolio of American whiskies. Read the full tasting.

Released September 2025

📍 Milam & Greene Whiskey
208 Carlie Ln
Blanco, TX 78606

*****

San Antonio’s oldest distillery is back with Texas Landmark: The Original No. 2 — a 2-year-old, 86-proof Texas Certified Single Malt. This one ditches the smoke from Original No. 1 (save that for your brisket) and instead shows off just how elegant a Texas malt can be. Read the full review.

Released September 2025

📍 Ranger Creek Brewing & Distilling
4834 Whirlwind Dr
San Antonio, TX 78217

*****

Meet the Whiskey

Still Austin is back with their seasonal Bottled in Bond High Rye Bourbon — and this one’s been hanging out in the barrel for 7 years. That’s like… an eternity in Texas heat. The result? A spicy, complex bourbon that’s basically a masterclass in patience (and proof that good things do come to those who wait). Read the full review.

Released September 2025

📍 Still Austin
440 E St Elmo Rd Suite F
Austin, TX 78745

October Events

Flower Mound Smoke and Whiskey Fest
Brought to you by the Texas Whiskey Festival | Oct 25

Find our Member distillers pouring it up at these other events this October:

• Whiskey Washback Dallas | Oct 17

• South Texas Spirits and Cigar Festival | Oct 18

• Fredericksburg Food and Wine Festival | Oct 25

• Llano Outdoor Sports Expo | Oct 31

• Spirits of Blanco on the Square | Oct 31 - Nov 2

North Texas Trail

Balcones Distilling:

• Escarpment Tour | Oct 2

• Friday Night Flights | Oct 3

• Single Barrel Single Malt #15015 release | Oct 23

• The Spirit of Cooking (A Waco Restaurant Week Kickoff Competition) | Oct 24

Bearded Wheat Distillery:

• Find BWD at the Texas Cigar, Spirits and Wine Tasting in Ft. Worth | Oct 11

• Find BWD at the South Texas Spirits and Cigar Festival in Victoria | Oct 18

• Find BWD at the Smoke and Whiskey Fest in Flower Mound | Oct 25

Whiskey Castle:

• Whiskey Masterclass with Virginia Distillery | Oct 3

• Whiskey Masterclass with Santa Fe Spirits | Oct 11

• Whiskey Masterclass with Single Cask Nation | Oct 16

October Masterclass Combo - Whiskey Crusaders

Hill Country Trail

Andalusia Whiskey Co:

• 9th Anniversary Party | Oct 4

• Fall Concert Series James McMurty | Oct 9

• Brunch & Whiskey with Bobby Beal | Oct 11

• Fall Concert Series Dale Watson | Oct 22

Copper Shot Distillery:

• Live music by Sean Orrs’s Texas Gold | Oct 3

• DJ Champ | Oct 4

• Ladies Night w/live music by Nick Taylor | Oct 8

• Open mic Night | Oct 9

• Live music by Rochelle & The Sidewinders | Oct 10

• Live music by Matthew Robinson Blues Band | Oct 11

• Live music by Nico Little and The North Americans | Oct 17

• Live music by Blues in the Night | Oct 18

• Live music by Four on the Floor | Oct 24

• Live music by Dom Cours & Co. | Oct 25

• Halloween and Live music by ThemThatKnow | Oct 31

Garrison Brothers Distillery:

• Hye Note Concert Featuring Erica Daniels | Oct 3

• Hye Note Concert Featuring Johnny McGowan | Oct 4

• Hye Note Concert Featuring David Hanscheck | Oct 10

• Hye Note Concert Featuring Matt Creaton | Oct 11

• Meet the Maker Western Wagyu Whiskey Dinner with Nancy Garrison | Oct 15

• Hye Note Concert Featuring Jenni Dale Lord | Oct 17

• New Release of Sonora Texas Straight Bourbon | Oct 18

• Garrison Brothers Cooking Demonstration | Oct 23

• Hye Note Concert Featuring Chuck Wimer | Oct 24

• Hye Note Concert Featuring Julia Rose | Oct 25

• Hye Note Concert Featuring Jeremy Parsons | Oct 31

Johnny Pickles Distillery:

• Find JPD at the South Texas Spirits and Cigar Fest | Oct 18

• Find JPD at the Seguine Pecan Festival | Oct 25

• Trick or Treat at the Distillery | Oct 31

Milam & Greene Whiskey:

• Wildlife Series Single Barrel (Ampersand Society Exclusive) | Oct 8

• Spirits of Blanco Festival | Oct 31 - Nov 2

Real Spirits Distilling Co.:

• Real Ale Ride | Oct 18

Spirit of Texas Brewstillery:

• Karaoke Night | Oct 1

• Thirsty Thursday with live music by Bruce Smith | Oct 2

• Colin Boutwel Live | Oct 3

• Karaoke Night | Oct 4

• Open Mic Night with Brother Magnum | Oct 8

• Thirsty Thursday with live music by Bruce Smith | Oct 9

• Back to the 80’s with DJ Rick | 10

• Karaoke Night | 15

• Thirsty Thursday with live music by Bruce Smith | Oct 16

• Sax Night with Chad Leedy | Oct 17

• Down With the Dance Fundraiser | Oct 18

• Open Mic Night with Brother Magnum | Oct 22

• Thirsty Thursday with live music by Bruce Smith | Oct 23

• Halloween Costume Contest & Karaoke | Oct 24

• The Distillery Comedy Tour | Oct 25

• Thirsty Thursday with live music by Bruce Smith | Oct 30

Still Austin Whiskey:

• Live music by the Stone Rollers | Oct 3

• Pups on the Patio - Senior Dog Meet-up | Oct 4

• Live music by Yacht Z | Oct 10

• Live music by Dusty Miller & The Spurflowers | Oct 11

• Live music by Fall Music Residency: Mostly Dead | Oct 17

• Live music by Gypsy (Stevie Nicks Covers) | Oct 18

• 1920’s Halloween Party | Oct 31

Treaty Oak Distilling:

• Supper Club Dinner | Oct 11

War Trail Spirits:

• Sipping Saturday live music afternoons with Matt Hilton & Joe Forlini | Oct 4

• Tasting and bottle signing at Alamo City Liquor | Oct 10

• Sipping Saturday live music afternoons with The Dustbowlers | Oct 11

• Sipping Saturday live music afternoons with No Boundaries | Oct 25

Wilson Valley Mercantile:

• Songwriter Roundup with Eley Buck Davis | Oct 2

• Live Music Friday: Owen Stroud | Oct 3

• Live Music Saturday: Shade Acoustic | Oct 4

• Live Music Friday: Jeremy Parsons | Oct 10

• Live Music Saturday: Wade Ralston | Oct 11

• Songwriter Roundup with Eley Buck Davis | Oct 16

• Live Music Friday: Bronson Louis | Oct17

• Live Music Saturday: Ariana Ortiz | Oct 18

South Texas Trail

Chapline Distillery:

• Commemorative Air Cav Legacy Release | Oct 3

• Barbecue Cookoff |Oct 18

Giant Texas Distillers:

• Bottle Sale - Buy $150 get $50 off | Oct

K. Spoetzl Distillery:

• Shiner Fest 2025 | Oct 25

Maverick Whiskey:

• The Vaulted Spirits Cocktail Experience | Oct 16

Ranger Creek Distilling:

• Puzzle Buzz Speed Puzzling | Oct 3

• Singo Night | Oct 4

• Stranger Things Trivia | Oct 11

• Pour Your Own Epoxy | Oct 13

• Whiskey Bottle Candle Class | Oct 17