Milam & Greene Whiskey Takes First Place at 2026 Texas Whiskey Festival for People’s Choice Award Following Official Recount

A certified recount confirms whiskey fans chose Milam & Greene as Texas’ favorite pour of 2026

Austin, TX (May 2026) - Milam & Greene Whiskey has officially been named the winner of the 2026 Texas Whiskey Festival People’s Choice Award following a final recount of votes conducted after this year’s festival competition.

After a subsequent review of submitted tokens, festival organizers confirmed that Milam & Greene received the highest number of attendee votes, securing the coveted Texas Whiskey Festival People’s Choice Gold 2026 distinction among a competitive field of Texas whiskey producers.

“Every whiskey we make at Milam & Greene is a reflection of the environment we age in and the standards we hold ourselves to as whiskey makers,” said Marlene Holmes, Master Distiller. “Texas pushes a barrel harder, faster, and in ways that constantly challenge you to pay attention to every detail. That’s part of what makes our whiskey so distinctive, and having folks recognize that craftsmanship with this award is incredibly meaningful to our entire team.”

The Texas Whiskey Festival is widely recognized as one of the premier whiskey events in the state, bringing together leading distilleries, master blenders, and whiskey enthusiasts for a celebration of Texas craftsmanship and innovation. The People’s Choice Award is determined exclusively by attendee voting and reflects direct consumer preference during the festival’s tasting events.

“This award carries special meaning because it was decided by the people who matter most—the whiskey drinkers themselves,” said Marsha Milam, Founder of Milam & Greene Whiskey. “Texas whiskey enthusiasts have incredibly discerning palates and a deep appreciation for authenticity, craftsmanship, and innovation. To be chosen by a community that truly understands great whiskey, especially in a field filled with exceptional Texas distilleries, is both humbling and deeply rewarding for our entire team.”

The recount was initiated after preliminary results indicated an unusually narrow margin between finalists. Following the official review process, organizers certified Milam & Greene as the definitive winner of the 2026 award.

Known for its award-winning bourbon and rye expressions, Milam & Greene continues to earn national recognition for blending traditional whiskey-making techniques with Texas terroir, climate, and aging conditions. Through its signature philosophy of “Texification”—the transformative impact of Texas heat, weather swings, and environment on barrel aging—the distillery has helped define a bold, distinctly Texas style of American whiskey.

“Running a distillery is about structure, discipline, and making dozens of small decisions every day that all add up in the glass,” said Rikk Munroe, Director of Distillery Operations and Master Blender. “At Milam & Greene, we’re hands-on from grain to barrel, tracking fermentation, distillation, managing still cuts, monitoring barrel maturation, and constantly adjusting to what the whiskey is telling us in real time. That level of attention across the entire operation is what allows us to stay consistent while still letting each batch develop its own character.”

Milam & Greene is currently distributed in 19 states and is available for online purchase.

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ABOUT MILAM & GREENE WHISKEY

Milam & Greene crafts bold whiskeys transformed by the extremes of Texas Hill Country weather, where scorching summers and limestone-filtered water create spirits that could only come from this place. The portfolio includes whiskeys distilled and matured on site, as well as carefully sourced barrels finished under the Texas sun in a process known as “Texification.” With decades of experience in blending, distilling, and brand building, Milam & Greene is dedicated to craftsmanship, authenticity, and sharing Texas whiskey with the world—bolder by the moment.

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