The Best Whiskeys From Texas, According to Bartenders

Andalusia Stryker Texas Smoked Single Malt Whiskey

To C. Andrés Alvarez, bartender at Whisler’s and Mezcalería Tobalá in Austin, this American single malt is perfect in a smoked Rob Roy. “Unlike scotch, which uses peat for smoke, Andalusia has embraced what Texans know best: BBQ.” he says. “They smoke their malted barley with oak, mesquite, and apple woods. The result is honeyed malt with bold charred oak, roasted chestnuts, and sparks of dark chocolate. Simply delicious.”

Balcones Pot Still Rye Whiskey

“When I need to pull a ‘wow factor’ bottle for a guest to spark a conversation, I pull [this one],” says DrinkWell’s Sanders. “Their pot still rye is truly unlike any rye whiskey I’ve ever had. It has such a unique flavor — dark chocolate, leather, candied orange, and a hint of ash. Its complexity can make it a bit unwieldy in cocktails because there is so much to it. But as a neat sipper? It’s an extraordinary expression.”

Garrison Brothers Balmorhea Texas Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Each year’s release of the double-barreled Balmorhea is eagerly awaited by fans. It’s “bold and unapologetic,” says Alvarez. “The extra barrel introduced in its aging deepens the oak influence, intensifies color and flavor. The result is notes of luscious, toasted pecans with honey and caramel.”

Grayson Blended Texas Whisky

Ben Wald, head of beverage programming at The Flatiron Room in New York City, says that this whiskey brings together “some amazing Texas-made rye and bourbon [to create] something unapologetically Texan [and] a gift to all whiskey drinkers. Going back to that Texas heat, you get this vibrant whiskey with a depth of flavor for days that makes it a really great summer drinker.” Or, really, any time of year.

Milam & Greene Provisions Bourbon

According to Sanders, this new expression from the highly regarded producer reflects two desires of many whiskey drinkers: “Bourbons with a more approachable price point and an approachable proof point.” It’s 80 proof (40% ABV) and can be found for less than $40. 

“As consumers are increasingly drinking less alcohol in general, or less frequently, it is important to me to have some really delicious options for them that still deliver robust flavor at 80 proof,” she says. “They’re really at the forefront of a trend with this release, I think.”

Still Austin ‘The Musician’ Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Sanders says that this expression gets better with each release. “It obviously has a real ‘sense of place’ in that all the grains they source are from Texas, and even though their bourbons are all quite youthful, the flavors feel really developed,” she says. “One of the things that I think really sets Still Austin apart was the focus that they put on the bartending community: Their whiskies are really cocktail-friendly (especially The Musician), and they invested a lot in building a great cocktail bar within the distillery and hiring really skilled cocktail bartenders to advocate for the brand.”

Treaty Oak Texas Straight Bourbon Whiskey “Legacy Reserve”

Grain-to-glass is a growing category within Texas whiskey, and Treaty Oak is an important player in that realm and beyond. According to Brooks, of Pappas Restaurants, Treaty Oak has “a special relationship with Barton Springs Mill to source all their grains. This bourbon has a mash bill that includes wheat instead of rye, which results in a creamier mouthfeel with roasted corn, popcorn, and butter notes as well as baking spice and molasses,” he says. “Wheated whiskeys like this pair really well with a cream soda, or my personal fav, Big Peach (if you can find it).”