Nine Banded Small Batch Whiskey is an approachable, easygoing American whiskey that wears its Austin, Texas identity proudly. Introduced in 2014, timed to the Austin City Limits festival, the brand takes its name from the nine banded armadillo, Texas's official state small mammal, with a nod to the legendary, now defunct Armadillo World Headquarters music venue, and it bills itself as the live music whiskey, built around a spirit of inclusivity and good times. The whiskey itself is a creative small batch blend of carefully selected barrel aged whiskeys sourced from Kentucky, combining a three year old Kentucky bourbon with a corn and rye whiskey to round out and amplify the flavor. What truly defines Nine Banded is its Texas finishing touch: the blend is married with pristine limestone filtered spring water drawn from a private, untapped source roughly 60 miles west of Austin, deep in the Texas Hill Country, then blended and bottled by hand at the brand's facility in Dripping Springs. That soft, mineral rich water helps create a notably smooth, clean character despite the whiskey's sturdy 90 proof. The result is a soft, sweet, corn forward pour with Cracker Jack and caramel corn on the nose, a surprisingly approachable palate carrying popcorn, cola, and a touch of licorice, and a long, balanced finish. With a classic bourbon lean and a soft rye accent, Nine Banded is versatile enough to sip neat or over a rock, yet has the backbone to anchor an Old Fashioned or any cocktail, making it a friendly, affordable everyday bottle with genuine Texas character.
ABV / Proof
| Brand |
Nine Banded |
| Distillery |
Sourced from Kentucky; blended and bottled in Dripping Springs, Texas (near Austin) |
| Producer |
Nine Banded Whiskey / Austin Spirits |
| Category |
American Whiskey, Small Batch Blend |
| Expression |
Nine Banded Small Batch |
| Age Statement |
3 Years |
| Mashbill |
Blend of Kentucky bourbon plus a corn and rye whiskey (full breakdown undisclosed) |
| Maturation |
Aged in charred American oak; blended with limestone filtered Texas Hill Country water |
| Bottling |
Small batch, blended and bottled by hand |
| ABV |
45% |
| Proof |
90 |
| Bottle Size |
750ml |
| Country |
United States |
| Region |
Texas (blended); Kentucky (sourced) |
Tasting Notes
Color: Light golden amber.
Nose: Soft and sweet, with Cracker Jack, caramel corn, and a peanut note.
Palate: Approachable and corn forward, with popcorn, cola, red licorice, and a sweet and savory mix.
Finish: Long and balanced.
FAQ
What kind of whiskey is Nine Banded? It is a small batch blend of sourced Kentucky whiskeys, combining a three year old bourbon with a corn and rye whiskey, finished with Texas Hill Country limestone water.
Where is it made? The whiskey is sourced and aged in Kentucky, then blended and bottled by hand near Austin in Dripping Springs, Texas.
What proof is it? 90 proof, or 45 percent ABV.
Why is the water important? The blend is cut with pristine limestone filtered spring water from the Texas Hill Country, which helps give the whiskey its smooth, clean character.
What does the name mean? It honors the nine banded armadillo, the Texas state small mammal, and the historic Armadillo World Headquarters music venue in Austin.
Where can I buy Nine Banded Whiskey online? Available here at Liquor On Broadway while stock lasts, with fast insured shipping nationwide.
