Texas Fifth (half-gallon of liquor)

A “fifth” is a 750 ml bottle of liquor; a “Texas fifth” is a half-gallon or 1.75 liter bottle. The term “Texas fifth” (based on the principle that “everything’s bigger in Texas”) was trademarked by Glenmore Distilleries Co. (manufacturers of Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey) on September 8, 1952.
 
The Glenmore trademark expired and the term “Texas fifth” is still infrequently used.
 
 
Urban Dictionary
texas fifth
This is a 1.75 Liter bottle of hard alcohol.
“It’s a handle,” say ignat fools instead of saying texas fifth.
by DAve J Nov 18, 2006
 
3 October 1952, Dallas (TX) Morning News,  “Big D” by Paul Crume, pt. 1, pg. 1, col. 1:
Andthe Glenmore whisky people are peddling a big bottle which they have the nerve to call a Texas Fifth when it doesn’t hold an ounce more than a half-gallon. This is the amount, gentlemen, that our Texas drunk drivers, when arrested, always speak of disparagingly as “a couple of beers.”
Pg. 23 ad:
FOR TEXANS WHO DO THINGS IN A BIG WAY
ASK FOR THE NEW
TEXAS FIFTH
Step right up to your favorite retailer and ask him forthe Texas Fifth—a mighty big bottle of mighty good whiskey! You’ve got to go a long way to beat Texas hospitality or Glenmore’s Kentucky Straight Bourbon—and you get a lot of both in the Texas Fifth.
(Glenmore Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey—ed.)
 
Google Books
22 November 1954, Life magazine, pg. 108 ad:
Glenmore is also available in the regular fifth and in the “Texas Fifth”—a full half-gallon for entertaining in a BIG way!
(Glenmore, Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey—ed.)
 
Google Books
Marketing;
Text, c\Cases, and Readings
By Harry L. Hansen
Homewood, IL: R. D. Irwin
1956 [1957]
Pg. 110:
A somewhat engaging example of how labeling plus packaging can greatly stimulate sales is that of the “Texas Fifth” bottle of whiskey. Glenmore Distilleries Co. had, for a number of years, sold one-half gallon bottles not only in Texas but throughout the country. However, when they experimentally packaged a one-half gallon container for sale in Texas and put a label on it calling it a Texas Fifth, they sold more containers in two weeks than they had sold in the previous two years.
 
Google Books
Esquire
Volume 63
1965
Pg. 165:
Serious drinkers must own a “Texas Fifth” violin-case bottle carrier which will accommodate a fifth of wine, champagne and most liquors. Measures 15” long. (Sorry, not large enough for a machine gun.)
 
Google Books
On a Forty Year Drunk (2nd edition)
By Robert Black
Lulu.com
2008
Pg. ?:
Then we got busy and unloaded case after case of “Texas Fifths”, which were forty-ounce bottles of whisky and gin.
(...)
Sailors were wandering around carrying their Texas Fifth of whisky or gin.
 
(Trademark)
Word Mark TEXAS FIFTH
Goods and Services (EXPIRED) IC 033. US 049. G & S: WHISKEY. FIRST USE: 19520908. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 19520908
Mark Drawing Code (1) TYPED DRAWING
Serial Number 71643951
Filing Date March 20, 1953
Current Basis 1A
Original Filing Basis 1A
Registration Number 0599463
Registration Date December 14, 1954
Owner (REGISTRANT) GLENMORE DISTILLERIES COMPANY CORPORATION DELAWARE 660 S. FOURTH ST. LOUISVILLE KENTUCKY
Assignment Recorded ASSIGNMENT RECORDED
Type of Mark TRADEMARK
Register PRINCIPAL-2(F)
Affidavit Text SECT 15.
Renewal 1ST RENEWAL 19741214
Live/Dead Indicator DEAD