Saddle Up: Garrison Brothers Unveils Ranch Reserve
June 27, 2026
Everything is bigger in Texas.
The heat. The sky. The personalities.
And if we're being honest, Garrison Brothers has never exactly been known for doing things halfway.
From the moment you roll through the gates of the Whiskey Ranch in Hye, it's clear this isn't just another distillery. The Hill Country views stretch for miles, the bourbon flows freely, and somewhere in the distance there's a good chance a cowboy hat is involved.
Now Garrison Brothers is adding a new chapter to its story.
On June 27, the distillery will release the first two expressions in an all-new series called Ranch Reserve, a collection dedicated to showcasing exceptional finished bourbons that have earned a place of honor on the ranch.
And like most things at Garrison Brothers, these aren't small ideas.
Eight Years of Patience
The inaugural Ranch Reserve releases began as Garrison Brothers Small Batch Bourbon, distilled from scratch in Hye, Texas.
After spending four years soaking up the Texas sun in new oak barrels, select barrels were transferred into Spanish sherry casks where they remained for another four years.
Let that sink in for a moment.
Most finished bourbons spend a few months in a finishing barrel.
These spent four years.
At that point, the cask isn't adding a finishing touch. It's helping write the next chapter.
The result is a pair of eight-year-old bourbons that showcase two very different sides of sherry influence.
One was finished in Oloroso sherry casks, known for rich nutty character and savory depth.
The other was finished in Pedro Ximénez sherry casks, famous for lush sweetness and dark fruit richness.
As Garrison Brothers puts it, these first two releases speak with Spanish accents. One dry and savory. One dark and decadent.
Both unmistakably Texas.
Not Every Barrel Gets Invited to the Party
What makes Ranch Reserve particularly interesting is its purpose.
According to Garrison Brothers, Ranch Reserve isn't intended to house every finishing experiment that rolls through the rickhouse.
It's reserved for the standouts.
The barrels that earn their place.
The barrels that make the cut.
In many ways, Ranch Reserve feels like the next evolution of the experimentation that helped create some of Garrison Brothers' most beloved releases.
Years ago, projects like Balmorhea, Estacado, and HoneyDew demonstrated just how much potential existed beyond traditional bourbon aging.
Ranch Reserve takes that same adventurous spirit and gives it a permanent home. More focused. More selective. More intentional.
Built for the Ranch
Even the bottles tell a story.
Longtime Garrison Brothers fans will notice that Ranch Reserve looks different from releases like Cowboy Bourbon or Balmorhea.
Those bottles often arrive dressed for a celebration, adorned with polished silver details and enough Texas flair to make a rodeo buckle jealous.
Ranch Reserve takes a different approach.
The stitched leather accents and rugged presentation feel more at home on horseback than at a black-tie dinner.
It's less tuxedo. More saddle.
Less steakhouse. More chili and cornbread.
And somehow, that feels exactly right.
Why June 27 Matters
For Texas whiskey enthusiasts, June 27 isn't just another bottle release.
It's the debut of what could become one of the most interesting new series in Texas whiskey.
The first opportunity to experience Ranch Reserve.
The first chance to see where Garrison Brothers plans to take its finishing program next.
And perhaps most importantly, it's a pretty good excuse to spend a day in the Texas Hill Country.
The Ranch Reserve Oloroso Sherry Cask Bourbon and Ranch Reserve Pedro Ximénez Sherry Cask Bourbon will be available beginning June 27 at the Garrison Brothers Whiskey Ranch in Hye, Texas.
If you're planning a Texas Whiskey Trail road trip this summer, you may want to point your truck toward Hye.
Want the Full Whiskey Geek Breakdown?
I recently had the opportunity to spend time with both Ranch Reserve expressions ahead of release.
For detailed tasting notes, comparisons between the Oloroso and Pedro Ximénez finishes, and my admittedly scientific experiment of blending the two together, check out my full review here:
Until then, mark June 27 on your calendar, gas up the truck, and head for Hye.
Because some bottles deserve a shelf… These feel like they deserve a road trip.
