Warbringer Mesquite Smoked Bourbon Batch 22

49% ABV

When we were offered a mesquite-smoked Bourbon from Oxnard, California, named after a former MMA fighter, and that had been featured on the Joe Rogan podcast, let's just say that we had doubts about the seriousness of the project. But when we met with the master distiller John Campbell, an Islay native who was the longtime distillery manager at Laphroig, and the original distiller at Lochlea Distillery, we were intrigued. Who better to craft a smoked Bourbon than the man who was in charge of crafting one of the smokiest malt whiskies around? 

Their whiskey has been made from a unique mashbill: 65% flaked grits corn that is mesquite smoked in a modified shipping container; 10% dent corn that is barrel toasted for richness and caramelization; and 25% malted rye. The mash is fermented in open top cypress wood tanks and double distilled in copper pots. It is aged in alligator-char new American oak barrels and finished in Sherry casks. John Campbell has blended some Red Corn Bourbon and a Sour Mash Bourbon to this latest Batch to add some balance to the finished liquid. 

It is unquestionably smoky, but we found the smoke to be really well integrated into the spirit. The malted rye brings some nutty and fruity characteristics, with the Sherry cask finishing giving it a sweeter smoke profile. This is certainly not your everyday Bourbon but is an interesting and delicious smoky whiskey that would pair well with BBQ or as an after dinner sipper.