When it comes to Texas beer, one name stands out—Shiner Bock. This beer has been made at the Spoetzl Brewery, which was founded by German and Czech immigrants in the eponymous town of Shiner, for more than a century. In 2023, the brewery moved into spirits, opening the K. Spoetzl Distilling Company and releasing the first expressions in the Shiner Craft Spirits lineup (vodka, gin, and moonshine) later that year. Then last fall, the distillery released its first bourbon, and this month announced the launch of a brand-new rye whiskey—but you’ll have to travel to Texas for a taste.

It makes sense that the distillery’s first releases were a trio of unaged spirits, because the team there is producing all of its own juice and not sourcing from other distilleries. Shiner ‘Shine in particular was a preview of things to come, an unaged whiskey made from a mashbill of yellow dent corn, winter rye, malted wheat, and two-row barley bottled at 90 proof. In November, the first aged spirit was released—Texas Legend, a bourbon made from the same mashbill that was matured in heavily toasted level 3 char American white oak barrels for three years. The release was very small, consisting of just five barrels from the distillery’s first bourbon run on March 20, 2023, and was only available to purchase at the distillery.

The new rye, Texas Legend Straight Rye Whiskey, is an even smaller release. It comes from just three barrels from the first rye distillation run at the distillery in December of 2023. The whiskey was distilled on a copper pot still from a mashbill of malted rye, yellow dent corn, and two-row barley (exact proportions were not revealed), aged in heavily toasted level 1 char barrels in a single-story open-air warehouse, and bottled at a much higher cask strength of 125.4 proof without chill filtration. “This release represents a defining moment for Shiner as we continue to evolve beyond brewing and establish our place in Texas whiskey,” said Tom Fiorenzi, director of brewery and distillery operations, in a statement. “Bottling whiskey from our first rye distillation reflects the long-term vision we have for the distillery and the standards we’ve set from day one.”

We did not get to sample the whiskey yet, but the official tasting notes describe a “full-bodied rye with layered notes of cinnamon, clove, and citrus, balanced by hints of toffee, vanilla, and warm spice. ” For the time being, the rye will only be available at the K. Spoetzl Brewery & Distillery (SRP $200). The other spirits, including the moonshine, can be found at websites like Total Wine now.