A bare-knuckled heavyweight prizefighter. Big, rich and oily. Looks like mahogany syrup in a crystal glass. Ground cloves tickle your nose with still-smoking branded leather, caramel and chili powder. Says “BOOM” on your tongue! Milk Duds. Licorice. Mom’s chocolate satin pie. Segues to S’mores on toasted cinnamon graham crackers. Scorched honey and sweet molasses. The finish is long and solid with tobacco leaves, tawny port, toffee, pecans and chocolate fudge.

Every now and then, Garrison Brothers releases one of the most highly-coveted bourbon whiskies in America: Cowboy Bourbon. This was the American Whiskey of the Year in Jim Murray’s 2014 & 2017 Whisky Bibles. It’s the ultimate ambrosia. Unlike the Small Batch, The Cowboy comes from Dan and Donnis’ favorite barrels. They’re set aside for a couple of years for further maturation and the liquid is bottled at cask-strength, uncut and unfiltered.