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[proofpositive1]

Texas whiskey is bold, diverse, evolving, and increasingly impossible to ignore.

I take a look at the 2026 Texas Whiskey Festival’s must-try bottles, from Garrison Brothers Cowboy Bourbon and Andalusia Whiskey Co. Cigar Malt to Koopers Family Barrel Reserve Rye, and Austin 121. I also give a well-deserved shout-out to the runner-ups, because once you get into whiskey this good, “best” becomes more complicated. Different mash bills, proofs, finishes, climates, and house styles all shape the glass. At some point, judging is partly about palate, preference, and what resonates in the moment.

Read the full article here: https://proofpositive1.substack.com/p/texas-whiskey-is-having-its-moment

[proofpositive1]

Texas whiskey is bold, diverse, evolving, and increasingly impossible to ignore.

I take a look at the 2026 Texas Whiskey Festival’s must-try bottles, from Garrison Brothers Cowboy Bourbon and Andalusia Whiskey Co. Cigar Malt to Koopers Family Barrel Reserve Rye, and Austin 121. I also give a well-deserved shout-out to the runner-ups, because once you get into whiskey this good, “best” becomes more complicated. Different mash bills, proofs, finishes, climates, and house styles all shape the glass. At some point, judging is partly about palate, preference, and what resonates in the moment.

Read the full article here: https://proofpositive1.substack.com/p/texas-whiskey-is-having-its-moment

[proofpositive1]

Texas whiskey is bold, diverse, evolving, and increasingly impossible to ignore.

I take a look at the 2026 Texas Whiskey Festival’s must-try bottles, from Garrison Brothers Cowboy Bourbon and Andalusia Whiskey Co. Cigar Malt to Koopers Family Barrel Reserve Rye, and Austin 121. I also give a well-deserved shout-out to the runner-ups, because once you get into whiskey this good, “best” becomes more complicated. Different mash bills, proofs, finishes, climates, and house styles all shape the glass. At some point, judging is partly about palate, preference, and what resonates in the moment.

Read the full article here: https://proofpositive1.substack.com/p/texas-whiskey-is-having-its-moment

[proofpositive1]

Texas whiskey is bold, diverse, evolving, and increasingly impossible to ignore.

I take a look at the 2026 Texas Whiskey Festival’s must-try bottles, from Garrison Brothers Cowboy Bourbon and Andalusia Whiskey Co. Cigar Malt to Koopers Family Barrel Reserve Rye, and Austin 121. I also give a well-deserved shout-out to the runner-ups, because once you get into whiskey this good, “best” becomes more complicated. Different mash bills, proofs, finishes, climates, and house styles all shape the glass. At some point, judging is partly about palate, preference, and what resonates in the moment.

Read the full article here: https://proofpositive1.substack.com/p/texas-whiskey-is-having-its-moment

#TexasWhiskey #Whiskey #Bourbon #RyeWhiskey #AmericanSingleMalt #ProofPositive #TexasWhiskeyFestival #CraftSpirits

[proofpositive1]

Texas whiskey is bold, diverse, evolving, and increasingly impossible to ignore.

I take a look at the 2026 Texas Whiskey Festival’s must-try bottles, from Garrison Brothers Cowboy Bourbon and Andalusia Whiskey Co. Cigar Malt to Koopers Family Barrel Reserve Rye, and Austin 121. I also give a well-deserved shout-out to the runner-ups, because once you get into whiskey this good, “best” becomes more complicated. Different mash bills, proofs, finishes, climates, and house styles all shape the glass. At some point, judging is partly about palate, preference, and what resonates in the moment.

Read the full article here: https://proofpositive1.substack.com/p/texas-whiskey-is-having-its-moment

[proofpositive1]

Wenzel Distillery’s Sherry Barrel Finished Bourbon is back with Batch 2

Read my latest Proof Positive article, I take a closer look at the story behind this limited release, from its Ghost Coast origins to its extended Oloroso sherry cask finish, and 679-bottle run.

This is not a shy pour. Built for drinkers who like their finished bourbons rich, bold, and full of dark fruit character. Think cherry, dried fig, dark chocolate, oak, molasses, and a long, dessert-leaning finish.

Read the full article here: https://proofpositive1.substack.com/p/wenzels-sherry-finished-bourbon-is

[proofpositive1]

Wenzel Distillery’s Sherry Barrel Finished Bourbon is back with Batch 2

Read my latest Proof Positive article, I take a closer look at the story behind this limited release, from its Ghost Coast origins to its extended Oloroso sherry cask finish, and 679-bottle run.

This is not a shy pour. Built for drinkers who like their finished bourbons rich, bold, and full of dark fruit character. Think cherry, dried fig, dark chocolate, oak, molasses, and a long, dessert-leaning finish.

Read the full article here: https://proofpositive1.substack.com/p/wenzels-sherry-finished-bourbon-is

[proofpositive1]

Wenzel Distillery’s Sherry Barrel Finished Bourbon is back with Batch 2

Read my latest Proof Positive article, I take a closer look at the story behind this limited release, from its Ghost Coast origins to its extended Oloroso sherry cask finish, and 679-bottle run.

This is not a shy pour. Built for drinkers who like their finished bourbons rich, bold, and full of dark fruit character. Think cherry, dried fig, dark chocolate, oak, molasses, and a long, dessert-leaning finish.

Read the full article here: https://proofpositive1.substack.com/p/wenzels-sherry-finished-bourbon-is

[proofpositive1]

117° West California Single Malt Whiskey is a Golden State dram with a real sense of place.

In my latest Proof Positive article, I take a closer look at how this Vista, California distillery is building its single malt identity around local grain, in-state malting, small-barrel aging, and a custom Alexandria Pot Still.

It’s a whiskey inspired by Scotch tradition, but shaped by California agriculture, climate, and craft distilling.

Read the full article here: https://proofpositive1.substack.com/p/a-golden-state-whiskey-with-a-sense

[proofpositive1]

117° West California Single Malt Whiskey is a Golden State dram with a real sense of place.

In my latest Proof Positive article, I take a closer look at how this Vista, California distillery is building its single malt identity around local grain, in-state malting, small-barrel aging, and a custom Alexandria Pot Still.

It’s a whiskey inspired by Scotch tradition, but shaped by California agriculture, climate, and craft distilling.

Read the full article here: https://proofpositive1.substack.com/p/a-golden-state-whiskey-with-a-sense

117° West California Single Malt Whiskey is a Golden State dram with a real sense of place.

In my latest Proof Positive article, I take a closer look at how this Vista, California distillery is building its single malt identity around local grain, in-state malting, small-barrel aging, and a custom Alexandria Pot Still.

It’s a whiskey inspired by Scotch tradition, but shaped by California agriculture, climate, and craft distilling.

Read the full article here: https://proofpositive1.substack.com/p/a-golden-state-whiskey-with-a-sense

[proofpositive1]

117° West California Single Malt Whiskey is a Golden State dram with a real sense of place.

In my latest Proof Positive article, I take a closer look at how this Vista, California distillery is building its single malt identity around local grain, in-state malting, small-barrel aging, and a custom Alexandria Pot Still.

It’s a whiskey inspired by Scotch tradition, but shaped by California agriculture, climate, and craft distilling.

Read the full article here: https://proofpositive1.substack.com/p/a-golden-state-whiskey-with-a-sense

[proofpositive1]

117° West California Single Malt Whiskey is a Golden State dram with a real sense of place.

In my latest Proof Positive article, I take a closer look at how this Vista, California distillery is building its single malt identity around local grain, in-state malting, small-barrel aging, and a custom Alexandria Pot Still.

It’s a whiskey inspired by Scotch tradition, but shaped by California agriculture, climate, and craft distilling.

Read the full article here: https://proofpositive1.substack.com/p/a-golden-state-whiskey-with-a-sense

[proofpositive1]

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Pete & Sherri, Married Again

Cedar Ridge Doubles Down on American Single Malt

[proofpositive1]

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Pete & Sherri, Married Again

Cedar Ridge Doubles Down on American Single Malt

[proofpositive1]

Rewriting the Rules of Light Whiskey

American whiskey drinkers tend to think in familiar categories: bourbon, rye, maybe American single malt.

[proofpositive1]

The Rise of Craft Spirits in Texas

Across virtually every corner of Texas, craft distilling is adding bold new chapters to the state’s rich spirit legacy.

[proofpositive1]

The Rise of Craft Spirits in Texas

Across virtually every corner of Texas, craft distilling is adding bold new chapters to the state’s rich spirit legacy.