Garrison Brothers Lady Bird 2026 Release Date & Price

Garrison Brothers is bringing back Lady Bird bourbon for 2026, with the distillery release happening April 4 in Hye, Texas. This limited-edition Texas bourbon combines wildflower honey infusion with cognac barrel finishing, creating a unique whiskey that's been racking up awards since its 2023 debut. Only 7,000 bottles are hitting the market nationwide, priced at $179.99, plus a smaller batch of cask strength single barrels at $189.99. Part of every sale supports the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center in Austin.

Release Details and Where to Buy

The first 2,000 bottles go on sale April 4 at 8AM at the Garrison Brothers distillery in Hye, Texas — first come, first served. If you can't make the trek out there, the remaining bottles will start appearing at liquor stores, bars, and restaurants nationwide in May 2026. The distillery's online store will also release a limited batch on Monday, April 13, 2026. Both the standard Lady Bird at 114 proof ($179.99) and the cask strength single barrel version ($189.99) will be available, though the single barrel release is significantly more limited. Each bottle comes sealed with purple wax, which is a nice touch if you care about shelf appeal.

How Lady Bird Bourbon Is Made

This isn't your typical bourbon process. Garrison Brothers starts with their small batch bourbon aged four years in new American oak barrels. Then they infuse it with Burleson's Texas Wildflower Honey for 8-9 months, creating what they call "HoneyDew" at cask strength. The real kicker comes next: they transfer the honey-infused bourbon into French Cognac XO casks for another three years. That's seven-plus years total from barrel to bottle. The 2026 release is bottled at 114 proof, which sits in that sweet spot where you get full flavor without the alcohol burning your palate. The extended cognac barrel finish is what sets this apart from other flavored or finished bourbons on the market.

The Wildflower Connection

Lady Bird Johnson, wife of President Lyndon B. Johnson, was famous for her wildflower beautification efforts across Texas and the country. Garrison Brothers co-founder Nancy Garrison has personal ties to the Johnson family and serves on the board of the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. For every bottle sold, the distillery donates $5 to the center, which is part of the University of Texas at Austin. So far, Lady Bird bourbon has raised over $100,000 for native plant preservation programs. It's a solid cause if you're looking for a bourbon purchase that does some good beyond just restocking your bar cart.

What It Tastes Like

According to Master Distiller Donnis Todd, Lady Bird delivers a blend of honey sweetness and cognac complexity. Here's the breakdown:

• Nose: Fresh cut grass, Texas wildflower honey, black cocoa, honey wafers
• Palate: Buckwheat pancakes, dark chocolate-covered cherries, malted milk balls
• Finish: Cognac-soaked cherries, dried figs, plums

The honey doesn't overpower the whiskey — it's more about adding texture and sweetness that plays off the cognac barrel's fruit and oak notes. If you typically drink bourbon in the 100-115 proof range, this should feel familiar with some interesting twists.

Awards and Recognition

The 2025 release picked up some serious hardware: Platinum medals at both the Miami Global Spirits Awards and SIP Awards, plus Double Gold at the Proof Awards and American Craft Spirits Competition. That's the kind of medal haul that tells you this isn't just a gimmick bourbon — judges who taste hundreds of whiskeys a year are calling this one out. The cognac finish and honey infusion could easily go wrong in less experienced hands, but Garrison Brothers has dialed in the process over three annual releases.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I buy Garrison Brothers Lady Bird 2026?

The first 2,000 bottles release April 4 at 8AM at the Garrison Brothers distillery in Hye, Texas. After that, bottles hit select liquor stores, bars, and restaurants nationwide in May 2026. You can also try ordering from the distillery's online store starting April 13, though quantities will be limited.

How much does Lady Bird bourbon cost?

The standard 2026 Lady Bird is priced at $179.99 for a 750ml bottle at 114 proof. The Lady Bird Cask Strength Single Barrel version runs $189.99. That's premium pricing, but you're getting a seven-year-aged bourbon with two special finishing processes and limited availability.

What makes Lady Bird bourbon different from regular Garrison Brothers bourbon?

Lady Bird starts as four-year-old small batch bourbon, then gets infused with Texas wildflower honey for 8-9 months before spending three more years in French Cognac XO casks. That's a total aging process of over seven years with two unique finishing stages you won't find in their standard releases. The result is a bourbon that blends honey sweetness with cognac barrel fruit and oak complexity.

Is Lady Bird bourbon worth the price?

At $180, Lady Bird sits in premium bourbon territory alongside limited releases from major Kentucky distilleries. You're paying for the extended aging process, unique honey infusion, cognac barrel finishing, Texas provenance, and limited availability — only 7,000 bottles nationwide. If you collect limited bourbons or want something distinctive for special occasions, it's a solid pick. For everyday drinking, stick with Garrison Brothers' core lineup.

How many bottles of 2026 Lady Bird are being released?

Garrison Brothers is releasing 7,000 bottles of the standard 2026 Lady Bird nationwide, plus a smaller, undisclosed number of Lady Bird Cask Strength Single Barrel bottles. The first 2,000 bottles of standard Lady Bird release April 4 at the distillery, with the remainder distributed to retail accounts in May.