Longhorn_Fan68
10,000+ posts
11/04/09 03:58 PM
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The State of Texas Spirits
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It all started with Tito's. By my count (and was I no was exhaustive in my research) there are now 21 different Texas-made (or owned, see below) liquors out there and a few on the way. Texas has come a long and seems to be putting some seriously good products on the shelves.
Here is my account of what's available and some quick reviews:
On the Shelves:
Misc. Liquors/Liqueurs
Paula's Texas Lemon Liqueur
The Link
Have not tried this yet.
$21.77 per 750mL bottle at Spec's (prices from the website, store location prices may vary)
Paula's Texas Orange Liqueur
The Link
Very tasty orange liqueur. Been a while since I had it but it has very nice flavor. Goes very well in Mexican Martinis, margaritas or even by itself.
$21.77 per 750mL bottle at Spec's
Balcones Rumble
The Link
Have not had a chance to try this. Will very soon. Sounds tasty.
$35.78 per 750mL bottle at Spec's
Rums
Railean Texas Rums
The Link
Railean makes, in my opinion, one of the best rums I've ever tasted. I am not a rum expert by any stretch of the imagination but their basic white rum is awesome. Very clean, smooth and best of all, inexpensive. They also have a Reserve XO and a Blue Label Reserve that I have not tried yet.
Railean White is $15.56 per 750mL bottle at Spec's
Railean Reserve XO is $18.94 per 750mL bottle at Spec's
Railean Blue Label Reserve is $28.41 per 750mL bottle at Spec's
Treaty Oak Platinum Rum
The Link
Very good rum. I thought it was a little pricey when it first came out which kept me from being a repeat buyer. However, it appears the price has come down a little bit more in line to where it should be. Still, I thought it was a very tasty rum - good for sipping.
$22.99 per 750mL bottle at Spec's
Tequilas
Dulce Vida Tequila
The Link
I saw an advert for this tequila this weekend at Guero's. Can't find much else about it other than the company's social networking pages. Will investigate.
Republic Tequila
The Link
I just found out about these tequilas. Apparently it is made in the Tequila region of Mexico (therefore a true Tequila) but the company is based out of Texas (Austin, in fact) so this would qualify as a Texas tequila in my book. Hell, they have Texas-shaped bottles so that has to count for something.
Republic Tequila - Plata is $38.94 per 750mL bottle at Spec's
Republic Tequila - Reposado is $44.42 per 750mL bottle at Spec's
Republic Tequila - Anejo is $49.41 per 750mL bottle at Spec's
Z Tequila
The Link
Much like Republic Tequila this product is made in Mexico but is a Texas company. Will have to try it out.
The website claims it's available at both Twin Liquors and Spec'd but I can't find pricing information on either site.
Vodkas
Dripping Springs Vodka
The Link
My new staple. It used to be Tito's, but I think Dripping Springs is just a little bit better. But I wouldn't turn either down.
$17.40 per 750mL bottle at Spec's
Savvy Vodka
The Link
Have not tried this yet.
$23.66 per 750mL bottle at Spec's
Tito's Handmade Vodka
The Link
The one that started it all. Can't go wrong with it. Tip of the hat to Tito for being a Texas pioneer.
$12.03 per 750mL bottle at Spec's
Y Vodka
The Link
Just heard about this one. Have not even seen it yet.
Not featured at Spec's yet.
Whiskey
Balcones Baby Blue
The Link
I have a bottle at home and have just started it. It's good. But it's also
different than anything I've ever had. I want to continue to drink to get a better feel for it.
$35.78 per 750mL bottle at Spec's
In the Works
Gin
Texas Gin
The Link
Don't know much about this other than the guy is in Austin and it's coming. Sounds interesting.
Rum
Temptryst Rum
Can't find much about this other than it's being made and they're waiting for FDA approval. Their website isn't even up. But if you google the name you'll find reviews. Made in Austin and sounds tasty.
Whiskey
Garrison Brothers Texas Bourbon
The Link
I'm so [censored] excited about this Bourbon I can hardly stand it. Won't be available until 2010 at the earliest. The distillery is in Hye, Texas, which is not too awful far from Austin. Me and some of my buddies are considering taking a field trip.
Balcones Single Malt and Peated Single Malt
The Link
Damn excited about these too.
If you are aware of any I missed, let me know.
I don't pay attention to the polls, I just count yard signs. Get ready for President Remax! - Stephen Colbert
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Napoleon
2500+ posts
11/04/09 11:42 PM
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How can they call something a "Texas Bourbon"?
I thought that in order to be a "Bourbon", it had to come from Kentucky. Maybe a "Bourbon style whiskey from Texas", but not "Texas Bourbon".
Set me straight. Thanks.
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pulque
1000+ posts
11/05/09 01:20 AM
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My fav was once Tito's as well, but I'll 2nd Dripping Springs Vodka!
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UTEE
2500+ posts
11/05/09 08:23 AM
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In reply to:
I thought that in order to be a "Bourbon", it had to come from Kentucky. Maybe a "Bourbon style whiskey from Texas", but not "Texas Bourbon".
I just read on the "bourbon" thread (very close to this one on this page of the Rusty's Grill Forum), that "bourbons" can now come from other places, and that Kentucky bourbons are specifying that they are "Kentucky Straight Bourbons" on their labels, so you know their origin.
I too thought it had to be from Kentucky to be called a bourbon, but perhaps that was an intellectual property issue that was not upheld by the courts?
"Texas is a state of mind. Texas is an obsession. Above all, Texas is a nation in every sense of the word." -- John Steinbeck
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Y Sanchez
1000+ posts
11/05/09 09:24 AM
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I saw a show on the History Channel that was all about liquor that said (and I am working from memory here so be kind) that in order for something to be considered bourbon it had to be distilled from at least 50% corn and aged in charred oak barrels for a minimum amount of time (two or three years?)
And while it acknowledged that most bourbon comes from Kentucky it is not neccesary to do so be considered bourbon.
If I am wrong I would not be suprised but that is what I think I remember.
What the hell do I know anyway? I am a Vodka and Scotch guy. But back in the day I did enjoy me some Wild Turkey.
"Personally, I believe a rocking hammock, a good cigar, and a tall gin-and-tonic is the way to save the planet." P.J. O'Rourke
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Fievel121
2500+ posts
11/05/09 10:42 AM
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I want the Garrison Bourbon! I want it now!
Weather Report During Hurricane Ike
2:45 [Comment From Strummer]
How is college Station looking for saturday?
2:45 Eric Berger: Pretty good, especially so because the football team has the weekend off.
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Longhorn_Fan68
10,000+ posts
11/05/09 11:35 AM
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bourbon does not have to come from Kentucky. Anywho.
I don't pay attention to the polls, I just count yard signs. Get ready for President Remax! - Stephen Colbert
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Longhorn_Fan68
10,000+ posts
11/06/09 01:24 PM
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Added a second tequila: Z Tequila.
I don't pay attention to the polls, I just count yard signs. Get ready for President Remax! - Stephen Colbert
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Sangre Naranjada
10,000+ posts
11/06/09 08:49 PM
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The Temptryst rum is made by a man in Driftwood named Daniel Watson. It is not in production, but let me tell you this, and I say it without reservation: every last variety of rum he makes is out of your mind crazy good. I have been privileged to taste several of his spirits (he also has scotch, bourbon, and other spirits he has made in experimental/developmental quantities) and they simply blew me away.
I don't know if Daniel is going to put his rum, scotch or any other product on the retail market or not. But I do know he consistently wins top prizes at national and international tastings in which he enters his product. If you ever have the chance to taste his stuff, do not, I repeat, do NOT even [censored] think about passing it up. What that man produces makes other distillers go like this... 
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Longhorn_Fan68
10,000+ posts
11/09/09 01:27 AM
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added a third tequila: Dulce Vida Tequila
I don't pay attention to the polls, I just count yard signs. Get ready for President Remax! - Stephen Colbert
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Longhorn_Fan68
10,000+ posts
11/17/09 04:14 PM
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Added a 4th vodka: Y Vodka
I don't pay attention to the polls, I just count yard signs. Get ready for President Remax! - Stephen Colbert
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Texex81
500+ posts
01/11/10 11:16 AM
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Just wanted to say thanks for posting this! Keep us updated as you try new Texas Beverages. 
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bevosayshi
1000+ posts
12/29/10 01:30 PM
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So have you given any of the tequila's a go as of yet?? If so, can you give a review? I just ran out of patron silver and neeing to replenish and was thinking of trying something different. Thanks in advance!
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THEU
2500+ posts
12/30/10 09:20 AM
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I tried that Balcones Baby Blue... saying it is different is an understatement. If I recall correctly they make it from blue corn, hence the name. It was the most different bourbon I have ever tasted. It was brought to a guys weekend at the lake. One guy brought it, and no one liked it, save one other guy. He went home with it and I guess he enjoyed it. It wasn't for me.
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Sangre Naranjada
10,000+ posts
12/31/10 02:20 AM
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Are you sure you had the Baby Blue and not the Balcones Rumble?
The Rumble is a unique spirit, certainly more distinct than the Baby Blue, and your summary of people's impression of the drink makes me think you're describing the Rumble rather than the Baby Blue.
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THEU
2500+ posts
12/31/10 10:17 AM
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It was Baby Blue for sure.
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Basketball Jones
500+ posts
01/03/11 12:12 PM
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A friend picked up some Garrison Bros. bourbon in Fredericksburg in November. It was only sold in the area, and nothing in Austin. This production run sold out very quickly. I was lucky enough to get to try some (well, a little more than "some'). It is amazing. They are expanding the facility, so hopefully more will be available in the future
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Bye Week
100+ posts
01/04/11 06:24 PM
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I hereby nominate this thread as kick ass.
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GemStateJim
2500+ posts
01/05/11 12:02 AM
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As I was browsing those bottles and muttering the names, I almost said, "Ball cones."
I've been gone too long ...
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Sangre Naranjada
10,000+ posts
01/16/11 07:47 AM
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Lone Star Texas Vodka is now available at Spec's. It's made in Lewisville. Haven't tried it yet.
Dammit! Bobby finally made me remove my old sig.
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