The Rest of the Story
Texas Whiskey
New Releases - Fall 2025
Johnny Pickles
Loose Cannon Bourbon Whiskey
Proof: 100 (50% ABV)
Mash bill: 100% local corn
Barrels: small (15 gallon) new charred American oak
Age: 2 years 4 months (most recent bottling, 7)
Tasting notes: Intense toffee, torched sugar, caramel, corn sweetness
Story: Our first bourbon is a limited release treat, with only 535 bottles available. It's made from grain to glass using 100% local corn from Kraft Farms and double distilled. It's aged in the Texas heat for almost 2 1/2 years in new American oak barrels from Kelvin Cooperage. We bottled it at 50% ABV to preserve its intense flavor, complexity, superb mouth feel. Come grab a bottle while they last.
Availability: Tasting room and coming soon to distribution
Ranger Creek
Texas Landmark: The Original No. 2
Review written by
Caleb Rhoades - Texas Whiskey Geek
Meet the Whiskey
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.
What’s in the Bottle
Made from Texas-grown barley and aged in San Antonio’s unique climate, this single malt is clean, crisp, and dangerously easy to sip. Think of it as the “gateway dram” that might convert your bourbon-only friends.
Tasting Notes
Nose: Crisp pear, honeysuckle, bright citrus, and just enough baking spice and oak dust to keep things interesting
Palate: Like biting into a perfectly ripe pear — juicy, sweet — layered with honey, apple, and a hint of cinnamon warmth
Finish: Medium-long, with pear and honey getting richer before fading into vanilla and a whisper of dry oak tannin
Why You Should Care
This whiskey is the backbone of Ranger Creek’s annual 300 Series — their playground for creative, experimental single malts. If you’ve ever been curious about Texas malt whiskey, this is a great starting point before you go chasing all their limited-edition experiments.
Pair It With
Pour a glass and try it with smoked gouda, apple tart, or heck, a big slice of pecan pie. It’s also perfect for a lazy Sunday afternoon when you “accidentally” end up finishing the bottle.
Get the Bottle
Available starting September 20th at the distillery, select retailers, and online: Order Here
And if you’re the kind of whiskey nerd who wants the weird, experimental stuff before anyone else, check out the Ranger Creek Whiskey Club — they’re always cooking up something fun.
Still Austin
7-Year Bottled in Bond High Rye Bourbon
Review written by
Caleb Rhoades - Texas Whiskey Geek
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).
What’s in the Bottle
Bottled at 100 proof and made with a high-rye mash bill, this bourbon is bold, layered, and ready to kick your tastebuds awake.
Photo by Bourbon & Banter
Tasting Notes
Nose: Toasted almonds, brown butter, cardamom, cinnamon, and just enough anise to make you feel fancy
Palate: Sweetness tiptoes in, then baking spice kicks down the door and takes over
Finish: Big rye spice, minty and slightly numbing (in a fun way), with sweet oak that just won’t leave the party
Pair It With
Sure, it’s killer in an Old Fashioned or Manhattan, but hear me out — grab a double chocolate brownie (the gooey kind) or a slice of flourless chocolate cake, pour this neat, and just sit with it. The rye spice and minty finish do a tag-team match against the sweetness, and suddenly you’ve got dessert nirvana. Bonus points if you’re eating it for breakfast.
Watch the Tasting
🎥 Video review coming soon