Help me find the spirit of Texas
November 11, 2011 7:24 AM   Subscribe

Suggestions for unique spirits specifically from Texas. Open to Rum, Gin, Rye and Whisky

I am looking for suggestions of a good spirit from Texas. My sister and husband recently moved to Texas and are coming back (to Scotland) for christmas. He has me for 'Secret Santa' so thought it'd be cool to receive a bottle of something that I wouldn't be able to buy over here.

I am open to most any kind of drink except vodka, since I don't think it really has a taste (except the taste of alcohol )

The only thing is that it has to be from Texas. So askmefi make me happy this christmas!
posted by MarvinJ to Food & Drink (14 answers total) 5 users marked this as a favorite
 
Here's an article that discusses a bunch of Texas spirits. I'm personally familiar with the vodkas, so that's less help - although Deep Eddy Sweet Tea Vodka may be exactly what you're looking for. It tastes like sweet tea, which is quintessentially southern, local, and extremely popular. (Also a good way to accidentally end up on a table with a lampshade on your head - fair warning!)
posted by restless_nomad at 7:33 AM on November 11, 2011 [3 favorites]


Paula's Spirits makes orange and a lemon liqueurs that are nice mixers.

Treaty Oak makes a very nice rum, and I'm not even that much of a rum fan.

Republic makes a decent Tequila, but they're just getting started, so it might be tougher to find.

There's also someone that makes a spiked tea, but I can't remember who just right now. I'll pop back in if it comes to me.

[On preview, restless_nomad got it. Tasty stuff, and seconded].
posted by Gilbert at 7:36 AM on November 11, 2011


Best answer: Railean Rum from San Leon Texas has a mighty fine small cask reserve.

I tried a bottle of Balcones Whiskey and was suitably impressed. I try to buy as local as possible when I drink.
posted by cross_impact at 7:42 AM on November 11, 2011


Lone Star Vodka
posted by shoesietart at 7:43 AM on November 11, 2011


Could I persuade you to expand to bourbon, finest of the brown liquors? If so, Garrison Brothers is pretty good.
posted by Ghostride The Whip at 7:45 AM on November 11, 2011


Best answer: Sorry, I missed the part where you said no vodka. Instead here's Balcones.
posted by shoesietart at 7:46 AM on November 11, 2011 [1 favorite]


Balcones Rumble

Made from Turbinado Sugar, Mission Figs and Wildflower honey and then aged in oak, it is like a bizarre hybrid of rum and scotch.
It is good neat, on the rocks or in a variety of mixed drinks.
It is the best and most (and most interesting) spirit coming out of Texas right now.
In my opinion, at least.
posted by Seamus at 8:23 AM on November 11, 2011 [1 favorite]


Agreed, the Rumble is great and very original!
posted by loveyhowell at 8:41 AM on November 11, 2011


I can personally vouch for Paula's Texas Orange (makes a way better margarita than Cointreau or Triple Sec) and Treaty Oak Rum (makes a great dark & stormy).
posted by mattbucher at 9:08 AM on November 11, 2011


Shiner Bock. It's beer, but it's worth seeking out- friends of mine used to drive cases of it back to NY from road trips to Texas.
posted by mkultra at 9:28 AM on November 11, 2011


If you're used to high-quality craft-brewed beer, don't get Shiner Bock. Texas has many higher quality craft brewers: RealAle, Jester King, Clown Shoes, Circle Brewing, Rahr and Sons, and I'm sure more that I'm forgetting.

Jester King sells 5ths of beer (750ml) with cool art on them, nice enough-looking to make a gift, and tasty too. The Black Metal Stout drinks like a meal and is delicious, and the Witchmaker Rye IPA is a very good beer.
posted by TheRedArmy at 1:14 PM on November 11, 2011 [2 favorites]


Although Shiner does make some decent seasonal and limited release beer.
posted by TheRedArmy at 1:16 PM on November 11, 2011


The Black Metal Stout is indeed fantastic, and it's more special-occasion-y than most beers — it's strong enough in alcohol, and rich enough in flavor, that you basically need to share it out among friends like you'd share a good bottle of wine.
posted by nebulawindphone at 8:19 AM on November 12, 2011


Response by poster: OP Update

I received a bottle of Balcones Baby Blue Whisky and I am delighted with it. Really unique flavour. Kinda smoother and softer than other whisky's.

Perfect to sip on with ice and this may be sacrilege but really goes well with irn-bru.
posted by MarvinJ at 5:32 AM on January 5, 2012


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