In April 2020, Garrison Brothers Distillery launched Operation Crush COVID-19, a fundraising campaign to help American communities recover and rebuild from the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. The initiative raised $400K by pivoting and dedicating the release of their rarest, most exclusive, top-shelf bourbon called Laguna Madre.  Fundraising ended on August 15 and recipients of the donations included 53 Texas bartenders, veteran-led disaster response organization Team Rubicon, Southern Smoke Foundation’s Emergency Relief Fund and the Texas Restaurant Association Education Foundation’s TX Restaurant Relief Fund. (Garrison Brothers Distillery, 2020)

Laguna Madre is named after the beautiful blue waters along Texas’ Gulf Coast. The ultra-premium bourbon was first aged for four years in new white American oak barrels. It was then aged for four more years in barrels made of Limousin oak from France, which is prized for the vanilla flavor it bestows. Limousin oak imparts spirits with distinct flavors of vanilla, sweet candy, cacao and thick, white chocolate. There are only 400 bottles of Laguna Madre remaining and they are available for purchase for $299/each exclusively at the Garrison Brothers Distillery Gift Shop in Hye, Texas. Additional donations to Good Bourbon for a Good Cause are strongly encouraged at point of purchase. 

Garrison Brothers Distillery is a small farm and ranch, located in the beautiful Texas Hill Country, that authentically produces straight bourbon whiskey. Garrison Brothers introduced the first bourbon whiskey legally made in Texas in 2010 and they currently have a wait list of more than 17,000 people hoping to land a spot on bottling days. The distillery and its barrel barns are open to the public for tours in Hye, Texas.

Funds of Good Bourbon for a Cause  are distributed to charitable organizations in Blanco and Gillespie counties of Texas and also to charitable organizations that serve current and former American military personnel nationwide. The types of charitable causes that are supported include but are not limited to:

• Organizations that help current or former American military veterans and their families
• Organizations that help former American military personnel get back to leading a rewarding life
• Organizations that help American veterans recover from debilitating medical, mental health or psychological challenges
• Organizations dedicated to conserving and preserving nature, wildlife, green spaces, or historical landmarks and historical sites
• Other charitable organizations that the board of directors determine to be within the intent and spirit of the formation of this corporation

To date, the nonprofit organization has raised and contributed over to $500,000.

 “The mission of Good Bourbon for a Good Cause is to change the world through the power of good bourbon. The highly-anticipated Laguna Madre release provided us the best tool to raise the maximum amount of money, and I’m inspired by the coalescence of our community during these uncertain times.” Dan Garrison, founder and proprietor of Garrison Brothers Distillery.