Garrison Brothers Cowboy Bourbon Returns Alongside Bonded and Blended Debuts

This week brings a striking mix of high-proof allocation chasers and permanent shelf additions to the whiskey market. Texas cask-strength flagships are grabbing headlines, but the industry is simultaneously expanding its accessible bonded options and experimenting with proprietary grains.

Here is a quick look at the week's most significant announcements:

Garrison Brothers revealed the twelfth release of its high-proof Cowboy Bourbon.
Redemption announced its first bottled-in-bond expression to launch a revamped collection.
Chattanooga Whiskey introduced a malt and bourbon blend finished in Moldovan ice wine casks.
First West Explorer brought proprietary Baby Black corn to a permanent national release.
Circle City Whiskey Co. expanded its custom blending club into three new Midwestern states.

Garrison Brothers Cowboy Bourbon Rides Again

On August 11, 2026, Garrison Brothers announced the return of its most anticipated annual release. The twelfth iteration of Cowboy Bourbon arrives with an imposing set of specifications. This uncut Texas straight bourbon clocks in at a fiery 141 proof and carries a minimum age statement of eight years.¹

The 16,000-bottle release is the week's most consequential announcement for serious collectors. It carries a suggested retail price of $249.99 and relies on a staged allocation strategy. The first 1,000 bottles are reserved for a September 12 release at the distillery in Hye, Texas. National availability will follow weeks later on October 1.

Cowboy Bourbon (2026 Release)

141

Garrison BrothersTexas Straight Bourbon

Suits: High-proof collectors and dedicated Texas whiskey enthusiasts.

An eight-year uncut flagship that tests the upper limits of cask strength flavor profiles.

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Accessible Quality from Redemption

While Texas heats up the top shelf, MGP subsidiary Redemption is focusing its efforts on accessible quality. On August 13, 2026, the brand revealed its first bottled-in-bond expression. Redemption Single Barrel Bonded Bourbon serves as the inaugural release for the relaunched Higher Marques Collection.²

Distilled in a single season at the Ross & Squibb Distillery, this non-chill filtered bourbon guarantees a minimum age of six years. It arrives on shelves nationwide this September. At 100 proof and priced competitively at $49.99, it offers a distinct alternative to the premium pricing of limited allocations.

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Blending, Finishing, and Proprietary Grains

Innovation continues to thrive well outside traditional Kentucky constraints. On August 11, 2026, Chattanooga Whiskey debuted the eighth entry in its Barrel Finishing Series. The Moldovan Ice Wine Cask Finished whiskey blends five malt whiskeys with one bourbon.³ After aging for more than four years total, including over a year resting in ice wine casks, the 95-proof expression arrived at the Experimental Distillery on August 13 for $59.99.

Meanwhile, a new permanent release is earning critical attention. First West Explorer secured a 92-point rating from Whisky Advocate earlier in the week.⁴ This $50 Kentucky straight bourbon blends a wheated bourbon with a rye bourbon built entirely on proprietary Baby Black corn. Both components are contract-distilled at Bardstown Bourbon Co. before blending.

First West Explorer stands out for readers who follow proprietary grain experimentation as a permanent shelf proposition rather than a stressful one-off allocation chase.

In the Midwest, blending-led retail strategies are proving successful. On August 10, 2026, Circle City Whiskey Co. announced the expansion of its 50/50 Club custom whiskey program into Indiana, Wisconsin, and Illinois.⁵ The program combines two distinct whiskeys from different distilleries and rebarrels the blend, creating a concrete Midwestern footprint for collaborative retail offerings.

On-Premise Activations Kick Off

As football season approaches, brands are securing their on-premise bar programs. On August 14, 2026, Bradshaw Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey rolled out a dedicated seasonal cocktail program.⁶ The activation targets named venues across Las Vegas, Pittsburgh, McKinney, and Austin. It stands as the week's most visible cultural bourbon moment supported directly by a brand.

Release Timeline and What to Watch

The coming weeks offer a clear schedule for enthusiasts tracking these new bottles across different channels.

August 13: Chattanooga Moldovan Ice Wine Cask Finished (Experimental Distillery release)
September 1: Redemption Single Barrel Bonded (Nationwide rollout begins)
September 12: Garrison Brothers Cowboy Bourbon (Distillery release in Hye, Texas)
October 1: Garrison Brothers Cowboy Bourbon (National availability begins)

Tracking demand across these local, direct-to-consumer, and broad retail channels provides a useful barometer for the current market. Cowboy Bourbon serves as an excellent test case. Watching how quickly those 16,000 bottles move once they hit national retail will reveal much about the balance between high-end allocation fatigue and enduring collector interest.

Digital Dram reminds all readers that you must be 21 or older to purchase or consume alcohol. Please enjoy your whiskey responsibly.