Another Year, Another Epic Texas Whiskey Festival!
Texas whiskey is changing the way people think about whiskey. It’s just built differently.
While whiskey around the world is steeped in centuries of tradition, Texas has only been distilling legally for about 20 years—barely a blip compared to Kentucky, Ireland, or Scotland. But that lack of tradition? It’s a strength. Texas whiskey is bold, innovative, and experimental by nature. And the Texas Whiskey Festival celebrates that spirit like no other event.
Unlike other whiskey festivals, this one is exclusively Texan—only distillers and producers from the Lone Star State are invited. And instead of meeting a brand rep with a script, you’ll often talk to the very folks who distilled, blended, or barreled the whiskey you’re sipping. It’s personal. It’s passionate. It’s the heart of Texas whiskey.
2025 Texas Whiskey Festival Award Winners
Each year, distilleries submit their best bottles to be blind-judged by a panel of local whiskey enthusiasts. The results are in—here are this year’s top contenders:
The Gold, Silver, and Bronze award winning bourbon from the Texas Whiskey Festival 25’
Photo Courtesy of The Texas Whiskey Festival
Best Bourbon in Texas
🥇 Still Austin Cask Strength Bourbon
🥈 Garrison Brothers Balmorhea Straight Bourbon
🥉 Milam and Greene Unabridged Volume 3
(*Includes whiskey from Tennessee, Kentucky, and Texas)
Best Rye Whiskey
🥇 Devils River 5-Year Straight Rye
🥈 IronRoot Slight of Hand Rye
(*Blend of Texas-made and sourced rye)🥉 1693 Elevation Rye Whiskey
Best Malt Whiskey
🥇 Ranger Creek Texas Landmark Single Malt
🥈 UnBendt Straight Malt Bottled in Bond
🥉 Spirit of Texas Pythagoras
Best Cask-Finished Whiskey
🥇 Giant Texas Tejas Collaboration – Cigar Blend (Sweet Vermouth Finish)
🥈 Ranger Creek 306 Malt Whiskey Finished in Tequila Barrels
🥉 Real Spirits Phoenixx Rising Batch 4
Best Light Whiskey
🥇 Austin Craft Spirits – Austin 111
🥈 Texas Heartland Distilling Light Whiskey
🥉 Andalusia Whiskey Co. – Lighten Up, Jake!
Best Flavored Whiskey
🥇 Mossy Horn Pecan
🥈 Iron Wolf Ranch Iron Hot
🥉 Andalusia Whiskey Co. Peach Whiskey
People’s Choice Awards
These crowd favorites were voted on by festival attendees:
🥇 Mossy Horn Whiskey
🥈 Andalusia Whiskey Co.
🥉 Milam & Greene Whiskey
Distilleries That Stood Out
6th Street Spirits – Giddings, TX
This sleeper hit out of Giddings is doing sourced whiskey right. They’re working with MGP juice and finishing it with serious intention. A personal standout for me was their Double Oak Bourbon, which is re-barreled into new toasted oak after sourcing. I’m a fan of double oak in general, but this one was next level—classic bourbon sweetness with a richer, deeper complexity.
Even cooler? Their tasting room is set up in a refurbished train car they call Dime Box Distillery. It’s got an old-school vibe and hosts live music and events. If you’ve never been, it’s absolutely worth the trip.
They were even featured on The Daytripper, which spotlights great Texas towns and hidden gems.
👉 Watch the episode here
Keep an eye on my Instagram and TikTok (@tx_whiskeygeek) for more from them—I’ll be sharing some behind-the-scenes soon.
Johnny Pickles Distillery – Seguin, TX
This newer distillery is housed in the old Seguin Fire House and currently has four whiskeys in rotation. One of my favorites was their Samba—an Amburana-finished whiskey that hits that sweet cinnamon-spice note just right. Amburana can be overpowering, but they nailed the balance.
Even more exciting? A fifth whiskey is on the way—and I can’t wait to tell you about it.
Upcoming Whiskey Experiences
If you missed the festival this year, don’t worry—you’ve still got a few more chances to immerse yourself in the Texas whiskey scene. The Texas Whiskey Festival is hosting more events that bring the same energy and focus on great whiskey and community.
Frisco StrEATs Whiskey Tasting – May 3
Sample top Texas whiskeys at this food truck festival, with live music and good eats on deck.
🎟️ Get Tickets
Whiskey Unexpected – May 3 at Star Hill Ranch
An intimate, seated tasting of rare and unreleased whiskeys. Includes a guided blending session with Whiskey Sommelier Jake Clements.
🎟️ Get Tickets
Final Pour
Whether you're just dipping your toe into the Texas whiskey scene or you're a seasoned sipper, the Texas Whiskey Festival is the place to discover what makes this category so exciting. Innovation, community, and a whole lot of flavor.
If you missed this year’s festival, make plans now for next year—and follow me @tx_whiskeygeek for recaps, distillery deep dives, and more upcoming events across the state.
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