The Texas Whiskey Festival, the signature brown spirits event in the Lone Star State, took place for its ninth year in April.

One thing that quickly emerged in 2026 is a snapshot of Texas whiskey in motion. The evolution of flavor—working with the grains, climate, and individual styles—creates whiskey that is a reflection of the state and the people who make it.

“Texas whiskey reflects where it’s made and who’s making it—the heat, the grain, the independence,” Jake Clements, founder of the Festival, said in a news release. “What we’re seeing now is a category coming into its own, with distillers writing their own playbook. That’s what makes it so compelling.”

The whiskey type Texas is best known for is bourbon. High-quality Texan grains, hot Texan summers, and Texas pride all combine to bring to the world stage bourbons that can easily rival those coming out of Kentucky. For the 2026 Texas Whiskey Festival Best Bourbon, the must-try bottle was Garrison Brothers Cowboy Bourbon. 

A monster of an expression aged at least six years and bottled at a staggering 146.4 proof, it is a testament to the pioneering Texan bourbon distillery behind it—crafting such a high ABV offering that is so loved by so many and highly sought after each year it is released.

This bourbon also got the coveted nod as the overall must-try of all the whiskeys submitted for judging.

Another well-known whiskey category out of Texas is rye. The top 2026 Texas Whiskey Festival choice here, Koopers Family Barrel Reserve Rye, is a blend of straight rye whiskeys, each aged between four and seven years, from a mix of first- and second-fill barrels. As if this wasn’t enough, the team at Koopers Family then finishes the blend with toasted oak staves before bottling it at barrel proof.

Malt whiskeys, particularly American single malts, are another whiskey category that’s put Texas on the map. For 2026, the Festival must-try bottle was the Andalusia Whiskey Co. Cigar Malt. A joint venture between master blender Irene Tan and one of the best “grain-to-glass” distilleries in all of Texas, this very limited edition American single malt release is a peated, wine cask-finished bottling meant to pair with the finest cigars. 

Light whiskey and cask-finished whiskeys are also big must-haves in Texas. Judges from the Texas Whiskey Festival sampled a number of well-produced offerings in these categories. For light whiskey, a type of whiskey developed in the late 1960s to help brands at that time compete against white spirits in a changing market, the must-have is from light whiskey specialists Austin Craft Spirits. Their Austin 121 is a cask-strength release that varies in high proof barrel by barrel.

Cask-finished whiskeys in Texas build upon the already high-quality spirits put forth by local distilleries. A range of cask-finishing types showcase the diversity of possibilities in this category. For the must-have choice from the 2026 Festival, Andalusia Whiskey Co. is again on the list with its Madeira Cask Stryker. 

In addition to the judge awards, the night of the Festival revealed the People’s Choice Award winner: Milam & Green. An error during the event resulted in an incorrect initial announcement of the People’s Choice Award. Final results have since been verified, and we apologize for any confusion.

“This tasting is about what people actually enjoy drinking, not just what checks technical boxes,” noted Clements. “Each of these bottles earned its place in the glass and reflects where Texas whiskey is today—bold, diverse, and continuing to evolve.”

Read more: Garrison Brothers to Release its First-Ever Bottled in Bond

About Texas Whiskey Festival

The purpose of the annual Texas Whiskey Festival is to promote and enhance the brands of the many great distilleries throughout Texas. Along with promotion, the festival is focused on educating whiskey enthusiasts on the many whiskeys produced in Texas, while having fun, drinking great whiskey, and building memorable experiences. For more information, visit The South’s Premier Whiskey Experience | Texas Whiskey Festival.