There’s something about Shiner that just feels like Texas … from the clinking of Shiner Bock bottles at a backyard barbecue to the brewery’s century-old roots in small-town craftsmanship. So when the folks at Shiner decided to branch out from beer and into bourbon, we knew it wouldn’t be a half-hearted experiment.
Enter Shiner Texas Legend Bourbon … the brewery’s very first whiskey, and it’s already shaping up to be a Lone Star showstopper.
This isn’t some mass-market rollout … far from it. Texas Legend comes straight from the K. Spoetzl Brewery & Distillery in Shiner, Texas, drawn from the first five barrels they ever filled. Distilled back in March 2023, it’s been baking under the South Texas sun for three long summers, and the result is a bold, beautifully aged bourbon bottled at a hefty 109 proof.
Flavor-wise, it’s as rich as a Texas sunset … sweet oak, caramel, and baking spice lead the way, with layers of orange, vanilla, and maple sneaking in as you sip. The finish? Soft clove and just enough warmth to remind you this is cask strength bourbon made with confidence, not caution.
The mash bill reads like a Texas handshake between tradition and innovation: Yellow Dent Corn, Malted Wheat, Winter Rye, and Two-Row Malted Barley … a four-grain blend that gives the whiskey its smooth, full-bodied personality.
To mark the release, Shiner threw a proper Texas celebration at Rickhouse, their brand-new distillery and restaurant, on Saturday, November 1st.
If you’re lucky enough to snag one of these bottles, priced at $199, consider it more than a drink. It’s a piece of Shiner history. As Director of Brewery and Distillery Operations Tom Fiorenzi puts it, the team wanted something “timeless but unmistakably Texan.” Mission accomplished.
For now, Texas Legend is available only at the K. Spoetzl Brewery & Distillery, which feels fitting. After all, legends don’t start everywhere … they start in places like Shiner.
You can learn more (or plot your pilgrimage) at shiner.com
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