Here is my account of what's available and some quick reviews:
On the Shelves:
Misc. Liquors/Liqueurs
Paula's Texas Lemon Liqueur
http://www.paulastexaslemon.com/
Have not tried this yet.
$21.77 per 750mL bottle at Spec's (prices from the website, store location prices may vary)
Paula's Texas Orange Liqueur
http://www.paulastexasorange.com/
Very tasty orange liqueur. Been a while since I had it but it has very nice flavor. Goes very well in Mexican Martinis, margaritas or even by itself.
$21.77 per 750mL bottle at Spec's
Balcones Rumble
http://www.balconesdistilling.com/rumble
Have not had a chance to try this. Will very soon. Sounds tasty.
$35.78 per 750mL bottle at Spec's
Rums
Railean Texas Rums
http://www.railean.com/Home%20Page.html
Railean makes, in my opinion, one of the best rums I've ever tasted. I am not a rum expert by any stretch of the imagination but their basic white rum is awesome. Very clean, smooth and best of all, inexpensive. They also have a Reserve XO and a Blue Label Reserve that I have not tried yet.
Railean White is $15.56 per 750mL bottle at Spec's
Railean Reserve XO is $18.94 per 750mL bottle at Spec's
Railean Blue Label Reserve is $28.41 per 750mL bottle at Spec's
Treaty Oak Platinum Rum
http://www.treatyoakrum.com/home.php
Very good rum. I thought it was a little pricey when it first came out which kept me from being a repeat buyer. However, it appears the price has come down a little bit more in line to where it should be. Still, I thought it was a very tasty rum - good for sipping.
$22.99 per 750mL bottle at Spec's
Tequilas
Republic Tequila
http://republictequila.com/tequila-products.php
I just found out about these tequilas. Apparently it is made in the Tequila region of Mexico (therefore a true Tequila) but the company is based out of Texas (Austin, in fact) so this would qualify as a Texas tequila in my book. Hell, they have Texas-shaped bottles so that has to count for something.
Republic Tequila - Plata is $38.94 per 750mL bottle at Spec's
Republic Tequila - Reposado is $44.42 per 750mL bottle at Spec's
Republic Tequila - Anejo is $49.41 per 750mL bottle at Spec's
Vodkas
Dripping Springs Vodka
http://www.drippingspringsvodka.com/home.html
My new staple. It used to be Tito's, but I think Dripping Springs is just a little bit better. But I wouldn't turn either down.
$17.40 per 750mL bottle at Spec's
Savvy Vodka
http://www.savvyvodka.com/home.html
Have not tried this yet.
$23.66 per 750mL bottle at Spec's
Tito's Handmade Vodka
http://www.titos-vodka.com/titos.html
The one that started it all. Can't go wrong with it. Tip of the hat to Tito for being a Texas pioneer.
$12.03 per 750mL bottle at Spec's
Whiskey
Balcones Baby Blue
http://www.balconesdistilling.com/babyblue
I have a bottle at home and have just started it. It's good. But it's also
different than anything I've ever had. I want to continue to drink to get a better feel for it.
$35.78 per 750mL bottle at Spec's
In the Works
Gin
Texas Gin
http://texasgin.com/home
Don't know much about this other than the guy is in Austin and it's coming. Sounds interesting.
Rum
Temptryst Rum
Can't find much about this other than it's being made and they're waiting for FDA approval. Their website isn't even up. But if you google the name you'll find reviews. Made in Austin and sounds tasty.
Whiskey
Garrison Brothers Texas Bourbon
http://www.garrisonbros.com/garrison_br ... iskey.html
I'm so [deleted] excited about this Bourbon I can hardly stand it. Won't be available until 2010 at the earliest. The distillery is in Hye, Texas, which is not too awful far from Austin. Me and some of my buddies are considering taking a field trip.
Balcones Single Malt and Peated Single Malt
http://www.balconesdistilling.com/products
Damn excited about these too.
If you are aware of any I missed, let me know.
