There are never any doubts about the uniqueness of Texas or Texans. We claim every single item that is Texan is as different as each one of us that calls it home. Texas whiskey does not imitate. Each microclimate adds a stamp that cannot be replicated anywhere else. The grains we grow add to the terroir. Our distilleries have personalities as different as every major historical person we love to hear about over and over again when we study history. Stills named after these beloved people from our past such as Jim Bowie Pot Still can be found at Ironroot Distillery in Denison, Texas. Please let me have the honor of introducing you to why Texas whiskey is gaining recognition among industry experts and fans all across the world as we celebrate Texas Independence this month.
Whisk(e)y: A distilled spirit made from fermented grains such as barley, corn, wheat, rye, rice, or an occasional odd one such as quinoa or sorghum before it is made into a syrup. There are many specific rules in the whiskey industry but sticking to some quick ones is that bourbon is whiskey, but not all whiskey is bourbon. Bourbon gained national distilled spirit designation in 1964 and can be distilled anywhere in the United States, not just Kentucky. American Single Malt is the most recent category as of January 2025. Texas whiskey categories are bourbon, rye, American whiskey, and American Single Malt.
The Certified Texas Whiskey designation is given to a whiskey that meets the criteria set by the Texas Whiskey Association. Certified Texas Whiskey is whiskey that has completed all steps from distillation to bottling in Texas. These bottles may have a silver shield logo stating “Certified Texas Whiskey” or printed as part of the labels. There are distilleries that specialize in sourcing, aging, or blending from other states. Some are certified whiskey distilleries that also specialize in the sourcing, aging, or blending from other states as well. Bottles are required to have the location they are distilled and should have a “Distilled by” with their location being in Texas. This information is typically found on the bottom of the back label. However, sneaky labels do get through the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau label approval process with the words “Product of” or “Produced By”. This is no different than a producer saying they were the main actor in a movie!
There are 26 certified Texas whiskey distilleries at the publication of this article. Many more are involved in blending and aging sourced whiskey from within Texas or from other locations. The number is constantly changing as new distilleries open or sadly, distilleries close. We must do our part to support the distilleries as they contribute to the Texas economy. UTSA researchers completed studies showing the impact of the distillery industry in Texas. Numbers that speak loudly to our business hearts and call to arms the need for more freedom in the industry. How does $2 Billion in total economic revenue dollars since the first distillery gained their license in 2008 sound? What about almost 5,000 Texans employed, not including the farming industry leading up to the distillation? Those employees earned over $334 million in salaries and benefits. Taxes paid to the state to fund other projects, other tourism related industries, and other associated industries in the adult-beverage industry have all benefited once Texas gained the right to start distilling.
Currently, very few distilleries are open on Sunday. It is not beneficial to them as they are restricted to distillery tours, provide beverages on site, and merchandise. Absolutely no bottle sales at all! There has been an increase in delicious food truck offerings or permanent restaurants built on site due to the mandates put in place during the pandemic. Vineyards and breweries experience the full benefits of adult beverage tourism, while the distilleries are unable to cater to the customers on Sundays. The distillery trail industry is a booming industry in other states, while Texas has restricted theirs due to no Sunday sales. Yet, they are also going to limit their bottle sales to the equivalent of 4 – 750 ml bottles per person per 30 days. Discovering a special release at a distillery or stopping into a distillery to stock up on your favorite whiskey you cannot get at stores closer to your home has its limits. It is disheartening to limit enjoyment of the facilities, sales, and free enterprise.
The Texas Whiskey Association created the Texas Whiskey Trail to encourage visitors to support the certified Texas whiskey distilleries. Events such as the Texas Whiskey Festival held this April in Austin, Texas bring the entire industry together to share their current releases with festival attendees at the quaint Star Hill Ranch. The Houston Whiskey Social held in November highlights Texas distilleries from the other offerings available to the guests with a specially designated room at the Citadel. The 2024 Texas State Fair hosted many distilleries in the GO TEXAN Pavilion. Events are catching the tastebuds of new customers while catching up with long time supporters.
Whiskey Advocate Magazine rates Texas Whiskey in their top lists in the respected categories. American Whiskey Magazine has had distilleries on their front covers and released special interviews available on Youtube. World Whiskey Award categories are dominated with Texas distillery names. Awards, recognitions, bottle sale statistics, and space on store shelves all indicate that Texas whiskey has proven to customers and industry experts that what is being distilled, aged, and bottled here is absolutely worth the recognition and notice that our whiskey deserves.
My Saint Patrick’s Day recommendation is Andalusia Distillery’s Triple Distilled. You can visit Andalusia and the fantastic restaurant on site between Blanco and Highway 290. It is readily available at most liquor stores. Raise a glass and toast this month with a widely known Irish-Scots Gaelic toast of “good health”. Slàinte Mhaith (Pronounced slan-cha-va)!
