Dallas' craft beer scene has been exploding for a few years, but less talked about are the locally crafted spirits that are also cropping up in our drinking scene. Duckworth Distillery is winning awards for their super-smooth vodkas, and local whiskey distillery Herman Marshall recently took home a prestigious gold medal at the American Distilling Institute's annual Craft Spirits Competition hosted in Louisville, Kentucky.
You've probably seen Herman Marshall Rye, distilled in Garland, on more and more menus lately, and for good reason. It's a smooth-drinking rye that even the whiskey-averse can enjoy mixed into an Old Fashioned or straight up after a long day. Now, as more and more distributors and drinkers start to take notice, Herman Marshall Whiskey has plans to start taking over Texas and beyond with their locally made booze.
This medal wasn't Herman Marshall's first award, though. According to distillery co-owner Russel Louis, they're "two for two" in the only two competitions they've entered. Louis also says that their rye is "is well aged, and brings just the right amount of spice with a smooth, delicious finish," which is what sets it apart from the other whiskies in its category. Clearly the judges, who blind-tasted dozens of spirits of all kinds in the competition, agreed.
Fortunately for us, Herman Marshall is proud to be a Texas-based spirit, and will continue to expand their brand in the state in the coming months. "This win is more great validation for us," says Louis. "Our plan is to keep making the same great whiskey for our friends and family in Texas while doing a better and better job of servicing every one of our customers." In pursuit of that goal, Louis and his team are working to get their products into more liquor stores, bars and restaurants across the state. Recent deals have been inked with West Texas chain Pinkie's Liquor, along with stores in Houston.
In Dallas, you can find Herman Marshall's whiskies in just about any decent liquor store, and their rye, bourbon and single-malt are all solid (and relatively inexpensive) additions to the liquor cabinet at home. You can also find the whiskey in cocktails around town, like the Barrel Aged Old Fashioned at TJ's Seafood & Grill at Preston Road and Royal Lane. At The Blind Butcher, The Notary combines Herman Marshall Rye with Chartreuse, Cointreau and bitters. However you choose to imbibe, you need to be drinking Herman Marshall whiskey, if only so you can say, "I drank that before it was cool" when these spirits inevitably blow up.
