Owners Steve Ison and Mike Cameron modeled Texas Ranger Blended Whiskey after the well-beloved, in Texas, Crown Royal. They take an 8-year-old sourced bourbon which they mix with some of their neutral grain spirit and whiskey. They then lower to 28 degrees to “frost filter” out the fats before resting in full-sized barrels. There’s no specification on new or used barrels, but I’m guessing used.
Watching their “how we do it” video it struck me as interesting that they use both malted barley and added enzymes for the starch to sugar conversion. I also found it interesting they add “other nutrients” to the mash to “conduct a healthy fermentation” which runs for 5-10 days. That’s not something I’ve seen or read about other distillers doing. Or maybe they are and just not talking about it… but that’s only for the stuff they fully distill. This is a mix of distilled and sourced… on to the review.
Texas Ranger Blended Whiskey Review: Details and Tasting Notes
In Rebecca Creek’s Words: Texas Ranger Blended Whiskey
“Texas Ranger Whiskey is carefully crafted and blended in the Texas Hill Country at Rebecca Creek Distillery. We combine a blend of different whiskeys with pure limestone filtered Edwards Aquifer water. Our proprietary blend reflects the integrity, precision, and uniquely bold character that is the legend and mystique of the Texas Ranger name. With enticing hints of vanilla, caramel, and toasted nuts, this incredibly light, smooth, Texas blend is truly … Legendary! “
Texas Ranger Blended Whiskey price, ABV, age and other details
Region: Texas
Distiller: Rebecca Creek Distillery
Blend: 8-year-old sourced whiskey + neutral grain spirit
Cask: Not stated
Age: NAS
ABV: 40%
Frost Filtered
Price: $26*
Texas Ranger Blended Whiskey Tasting Notes
EYE
Honey
NOSE
Honey graham crackers, vanilla frosting, caramel, maple syrup and a touch of pears and hazelnut coffee syrup.
PALATE
Perfect mimic of the aroma with some added, metallic, artificial butterscotch flavor.
FINISH
Short ->Maple, root beer and vanilla frosting.
BALANCE, BODY & FEEL
Not balanced, thin body and a watery feel.
Texas Ranger Blended Whiskey Review: OVERALL
When I was a kid, and my mom had some extra frosting from making cookies or a cake or something, she would take a honey graham cracker, break it in two and put some frosting between the two halves. From the aroma to the finish the Texas Ranger Blended Whiskey reminds me of eating those intensely sweet treats as a kid. If it weren’t for the maple and the metallic butterscotch, and it being an alcoholic liquid, I’d think I was 7 again, living in UT and just finished eating one.
Instead, I’m sitting on my balcony in Los Angeles, CA writing about whiskey and realizing I haven’t thought of those treats in about 30 years. And while it’s a pleasant memory it’s not an overly pleasant experience when it comes to whiskey. In short I’m not a fan. It’s watery, thin and the lightly flavored whiskey is darn near one cloying note. Not my jam, but neither is the Crown Royal they modeled the profile after. So there’s that.
SCORE: 72/100 (C-)
*Disclosure: This Texas Ranger Blended Whiskey bottle was graciously sent to me by the company for the purposes of this review. The views, opinions, and tasting notes are 100% my own.
Texas Ranger Blended Whiskey Review
Texas Ranger Blended Whiskey Review Summary
Texas Ranger Blended Whiskey is good for an American Blended whiskey, but that’s not saying much.
Overall
- Nose - 72
- Palate - 71
- Finish - 71
- Balance, Body & Feel - 70
User Review
( votes)( reviews)
O used to really love Crown, but now when I make Spirited blends that call for Bourbon, TX Ranger is my go to with a shot glass on the side . Need to sample as I make my Bourbon Pecan cookies.
They wouldn’t be “Bourbon Pecan cookies” because TX Ranger isn’t a bourbon, it’s a blended whiskey; they’d be “Texas Whiskey Pecan cookies”. Nonetheless, they sound good. I love a good pecan cookie. Cheers Patricia!
I really enjoy TX blended whisky, Clyde May’s, and Maker’s. There’s that common brown sugar maple toffee note that seems to draw me in to all three. Any suggestions on bourbons with a similar characteristic? Thanks Tom
Sounds like they basically ruined an 8 year old bourbon.
Sounds similar to how they make TX Whiskey, at least the blending and using neutral grain spirits. I was pleasantly surprised by TX Whiskey, especially after it’s supposed lack of pedigree (blended, grain spirits, etc), I had a couple pours while in Dallas this summer, while a bit sweeter than a traditional bourbon I really enjoyed it. Drove through TX last weekend and was hoping to buy a couple of bottles but discovered liquor stores closed on Sunday in TX… :(
That’s frustrating. It’s the same way in UT. :/
I’m glad you didn’t have to pay for it. When I moved out to Texas from SoCal last year the local Total Wine has a lot, A LOT of Texas whiskey on the shelves. To the detriment of other brands. I’ve tried several since I’ve been here and wanted to like them but I just don’t. Its all been garbage. There may be some good ones out there IDK but I’ve already said I won’t buy another Texas whiskey I don’t get to taste for free first.
Balcones is the only Texas brand I’m a huge fan of. I’ve Garrison has been hit-or-miss for me, but if you like interesting unique stuff Balcones will hit the spot. Though admittedly more expensive than something like a WT101…
Go back to SoCal tou whiskey snob!
I enjoyed the Ranger blended.
Glad you enjoy it, but I never left… did you think I drove down to Texas to taste this?
I agree with Mike. If you don’t like it, go somewhere else to brag about your preferences. This is my favorite!