Let’s talk about bourbon for a second. Better yet, let’s talk about good friends and bourbon. Before all that, cheers to Thursday and to a Friday that flies by to get you all to your weekends. Salud.
Tonight’s beverage of choice is from Garrison Brothers Distillery, which is right outside my hometown and no stranger to Westbound Soul. What makes Garrison Brothers special to me, outside of the laundry list of qualities that make it distinctly, unmistakably, Texan, is the fact that one of my close friends, James, better known to the distillery crew as Jack, works there.
I’m not talking about the kind of close friend that you talk to everyday and constantly communicate with. I’m talking about the kind of friendship where you can pick up wherever you last left off, no matter how long it’s been. We don’t talk all the time, but I know he’s got my back and he knows I’ve got his.
James – much love and respect, as always, brother. Thanks for your friendship and for teaching me to appreciate bourbon.
But my beverage tonight isn’t the mere flagship small batch bourbon on which the lone star state’s first bourbon distillery cut their teeth. Hell, it’s not even the elusive hand-selected single barrel representing the best of the best flagship barrels to roll out of the barrel barn.
No. Even though those are great, it’s neither. Tonight’s beverage is a two-finger pour of Garrison Brothers legendary, two-time American Micro Whiskey of the Year winning, Cowboy Bourbon.
Uncut and unfiltered, this mahogany colored thirst quencher goes straight from barrel to bottle, clocking in at 137 proof (that’s 68.5% alc/vol). This stuff ain’t for mere mortals, or rookie bourbon drinkers, hence the name “Cowboy Bourbon”. To give you a little perspective on just how high 137 proof is – a typical bottle of Maker’s Mark is only 90 proof.
The thing with bottling a spirit at such a high proof is that you normally run the risk of having the potency overpower whatever flavors you’ve tried to impart upon the liquid. Almost unbelievably, the opposite happened when they created this batch. The flavor is so strong that it overpowers its own proof, leaving behind a sweet bourbon full of notes of caramel, cinnamon, and even a pecan finish. This bourbon turns to candy on your tongue, I shit you not.
Try the Cowboy for yourselves, you won’t regret it.
While drinking and writing all this so far, I’ve been listening to the latest album from Flatland Cavalry. The new release came out last Friday and is titled “Homeland Insecurity”. Covering eleven tracks, including “Honey Wine”, which made its debut several months ago, the album is a great second full length effort for the boys from Lubbock.
I definitely recommend checking this album out, especially if you’re into their old school sound and Cleto’s one-of-a-kind voice. Unfortunately a bunch of other artists released albums on the same day, including Cody Johnson, so this new record got sort of lost in the fray. It deserves every bit the same amount of hype that COJO’s album got, so pick up a copy, share it with your friends, and spread country music all around.
Favorite 3 Tracks
Living by Moonlight
Lonely Then
Years from Now
I know this post pretty much turned into my ramblings about a phenomenal bourbon, but don’t let that take away from the tunes. This album is a good step for the Flatlanders and a strong start to 2019. Grab the album or some gear from their store, check them out on tour, and follow them on instagram for all the latest.
Questions or comments about Garrison Brothers, “Homeland Insecurity”, Flatland Cavalry, or Texas music in general? Social media will get you a damn-near immediate response, so contact us on twitter or instagram @westboundsoul or leave a comment below.
