Garrison Brothers Laguna Madre 2026 Review: Eight Years in Oak

Garrison Brothers
2026 Laguna Madre
Texas Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Limousin Oak-Finished
101 Proof
SRP: $349.99
Review

Please enjoy my Garrison Brothers Laguna Madre 2026 Review!

Background

Garrison Brothers Distillery, located in Hye, Texas, is the first and oldest legal whiskey distillery in the state. The 2026 Garrison Brothers Laguna Madre marks the seventh release of this limited Texas Straight Bourbon Whiskey.

Laguna Madre is matured for eight full years. It initially spends four years in hand-selected white American oak barrels before being transferred into Limousin oak casks sourced from the central forests of France for an additional four years of aging in the Texas Hill Country heat.

The 2026 release yielded 3,000 bottles. The first 1,000 were released at Garrison Brothers Distillery on August 8, 2026, with the remaining bottles offered through the distillery’s e-commerce site beginning August 14 and at select accounts beginning in September.

The release event also introduced the first Cask Strength Single Barrel Laguna Madre. Bottled at 135.4 proof, Garrison Brothers designated that version as a distillery-exclusive release with an SRP of $409.99.

The 2026 Laguna Madre release continues to raise awareness for FlatsWorthy, Inc., a nonprofit organization focused on public education, habitat restoration and the protection of Texas coastal resources. Each bottle is presented in a custom-built wooden display case framed by a photograph of the Texas Gulf Coast and accompanied by information about FlatsWorthy.

Details — 2026 Garrison Brothers Laguna Madre Review

• Distillery: Garrison Brothers Distillery
• Expression: 2026 Laguna Madre
• Type: Texas Straight Bourbon Whiskey
• Age: 8 Years
• Initial Maturation: 4 years in hand-selected white American oak barrels
• Secondary Maturation: 4 years in Limousin oak casks sourced from the central forests of France
• Proof: 101
• Release Number: Seventh annual release
• Bottles Produced: 3,000
• Distillery Release Date: August 8, 2026
• E-Commerce Release Date: August 14, 2026
• Retail Availability: Select accounts beginning in September 2026
• Presentation: Custom-built wooden display case featuring a photograph of the Texas Gulf Coast and information about FlatsWorthy
• SRP: $349.99

Tasting Notes — Garrison Brothers Laguna Madre 2026 Review

Let’s taste it:

🛏 Rested: 15 minutes in a Glencairn glass

👉🏻 Nose: Mild syrupy sweetness, dry oak, hot cinnamon, burnt caramel, apples, sweet corn; hints of sweet dark cherries; alcohol vapor appropriate for the proof
👉🏻 Taste: Mild simple syrupy sweetness, dry wood, tannins, sweet corn; sweet caramel, dark stone fruit, mild hot cinnamon
👉🏻 Finish: Increasingly dry, dry wood, hot cinnamon spice, mild simple syrup sweetness; long, lingering spice, touch of apples and mild sweetness

A Full-Bodied Balance of Sweetness, Spice and Dry Oak

There is a pleasant, mild sweetness from nose to finish in the 2026 Garrison Brothers Laguna Madre, as well as noticeable dry oak and varying degrees of hot cinnamon. The flavors are full and very nicely balanced, with a full-bodied mouthfeel. The mix of fruits and sweet corn, along with the sweet and burnt caramel, provides a nice contrast to the drier and spicier notes.

Regarding the apples in the Laguna Madre, I did not notice them initially; I believe they blended in with the other sweeter notes. However, once my wife pointed them out, I felt they were definitely there.

The dry oak is more evident than in the other Garrison Brothers bourbons I have tried, but that is expected in an eight-year-old Texas bourbon, particularly one matured in two different types of oak barrels.

2026 Garrison Brothers Laguna Madre Delivers a Delicious Pour

Overall, the 2026 Garrison Brothers Laguna Madre is a delicious bourbon. If you are a fan of the Garrison Brothers flavor profile and enjoy a bit more noticeable—but far from overpowering—dry oak, then you are going to want to give this bourbon a try. Have you tried it? What did you think? Cheers!🥃

I hope you have enjoyed my Garrison Brothers Laguna Madre 2026 Review! Next read these related reviews: Garrison Brothers Bottled in Bond Bourbon Review and 2025 Garrison Brothers Cowboy Bourbon Review.

Note: This sample was graciously provided by the Brand for my review. I appreciate it!

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