A Beast of a Bourbon

Tucked amongst the strawberry fields of Oxnard, a hand-fed mesquite smoker flavors the premium flaked corn grits that will be the base grain of the next barrel of Warbringer Warmaster Edition Bourbon Whiskey. One of the few made-from-scratch-in-house bourbons in America, this gold medal award—winning hooch is not for the faint of heart … or taste.

The brainchild of Sespe Creek Distillery’s master distiller and founder, David Brandt, PhD, Warmaster Single Barrel Cask Strength is named after Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) heavyweight champ Josh “Warmaster” Barnett, who hand-selects each barrel. Brandt “imagined combining the big, sweet, caramel/toffee notes of a well-crafted bourbon with the bold smoky flavors of mesquite to create something worthy of the title, ‘Big Beast of Bourbon.’”

Distilled in house-built copper stills and finished in oak sherry casks, this whiskey is the result of three years of experimentation and tinkering with yeasts and fermentation times. In true craft style, each release is slightly different, but maintains the unique and bold complexity that makes it intriguing for whiskey connoisseurs.

For those who are a bit more novice whiskey drinkers, the smoky sweet flavor of this bourbon might do well in cocktails like a spiced Old Fashioned, Manhattan, Apricot Bourbon Smash or anything with a ginger simple syrup. Whether neat or in a mixed drink, a strong whiskey needs strong-flavored foods to pair well. Try this with barbecue or a juicy grass-fed burger— and if you want it with chocolate, make it dark.

Sespe Creek Distillery releases its newest barrel of Warmaster Edition Bourbon this spring. Watch for tours of the distillery to be available sometime this year.

For more information and where to purchase visit WarbringerBourbon.com/warmaster-edition.