Written by Mike Yates
Cinebourbon

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. Their Head Distiller brings that perfect blend of respect for tradition and willingness to push boundaries that you need to create something truly exceptional. One particular thing that stands out to me about their distillery is their beautiful tasting room with an operational column still smack dab in the middle. So yeah, you can kick back and have a house-made cocktail sitting right next to a still watching the smash swoosh around. It’s clear that they’re not just trying to sell whiskey but they’re trying to educate the consumer on how they’re making whiskey as well.

The Texas heat that makes summers unbearable? It's actually working magic in their aging process, creating flavors that would take years longer to develop anywhere else. That rye whiskey that just won gold has that perfect balance of spice and smoothness that comes from understanding both the science and the art of distilling. And all at just two years old. When I tried the rye, I honestly didn’t expect much from it, but it punches way above its weight class and shows great potential to be even better as it continues to get older. 

In a world where everyone's trying to be the loudest voice in the room, Hush and Whisper is doing exactly what their name suggests—letting their whiskey do the talking. And apparently, it's saying all the right things.

Sometimes the best discoveries happen when you're not looking for them. Consider this your invitation to discover what Texas whiskey can really do.

Cheers to doing things differently.