Best & Must-Try Texas Whiskeys
The 2026 Texas Whiskey Festival brought together distilleries from across the state for a night built on discovery, conversation, and shared pours. Through a blind tasting process—removing labels, reputations, and expectations—we set out to identify the bottles that truly stand out in the glass. The goal isn’t just to name the “best,” but to create a clear guide to the must-try Texas whiskeys right now—the ones worth seeking out, sharing with friends, and revisiting long after the festival ends.
What emerged this year is a snapshot of Texas whiskey in motion. The evolution of flavor working with the grains, climate, and individual styles to create remarkable whiskey that is a reflection of the state and the people who make it.
And then there’s the voice of the people. The People’s Choice Award reflects what distilleries resonated most in the moment—what guests came back to, talked about, and poured again. It’s a different lens than the judging panel, and an equally important one.
Bourbon — Must-Try Bottles
Garrison Brothers Cowboy Bourbon
Rebecca Creek Distillery Distillers Collection
Spirit of Texas Brewstillery Bourbon*
Distilled in California, aged and bottled in Texas.
Rye — Must-Try Bottles
Koopers Whiskey Company Barrel Reserve Rye*
Blended and bottled in Texas.Still Austin Whiskey Co. Cask Strength Rye
Kiepersol Jimmy’s Rye
Malt Whiskey — Must-Try Bottles
Andalusia Whiskey Co. Cigar Malt
Balcones Distilling Texas “1” Single Malt
BENDT Dilling Co. UnBendt Straight Malt Bottled-in-Bond
Light Whiskey — Must-Try Bottles
Austin Craft Spirits Austin 121 (Hazmat)
Ranger Creek Brewing & Distilling .22 Light Whiskey
Texas Heartland Light Whiskey
Cask Finished Whiskeys — Must-Try Bottles
Andalusia Whiskey Co. Madeira Cask Stryker
Maverick Distilling & Ranger Creek Brewing & Distilling Collaboration BouRye
BENDT Distilling Co. UnBendt Straight Bourbon Finished in Tempranillo Barrel
The Overall Must-Try
Garrison Brothers Cowboy Bourbon
Rebecca Creek Distillery Distillers Collection Bourbon
Andalusia Whiskey Co. Cigar Malt
People’s Choice Award
Chosen by the people in the moment—the distilleries that guests returned to, talked about, and shared throughout the night.
Results reflect the final verified vote count following a post-event review.
The initial announcement on Saturday was made with incomplete information. We take full responsibility for that error. The distilleries recognized at the event shared that news in good faith based on what was announced at the time.
How the Awards Work
All entries are evaluated through a blind tasting process, grouped by style. Judges focus on aroma, flavor, balance, finish, and overall drinkability—prioritizing what people actually want to drink, not just what fits a traditional mold.
