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Bourbon Review: Warbringer Mesquite Smoked Southwest Bourbon

We review Warbringer Mesquite Smoked Southwest Bourbon, distilled from roasted, mesquite-smoked corn and finished in ex-sherry casks.

OVERALL RATING

9
$59.99
  • Cindy Capperelli is the founder of Portland Bitters Project and an instructor at two Portland colleges.
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Warbringer Southwest Bourbon

Tasting Notes

About:

98 proof (49% ABV); distilled and bottled in Oxnard, CA; mash bill of 75% roasted, mesquite-smoked corn, 25% malted rye; resulting spirit aged in No. 4 char American Oak and finished in sherry casks; no age statement given; $59.99 for 750mL; distributed throughout California, and available online in select states.
Appearance:
Warbringer comes in a pretty, scalloped glass bottle that frankly seems at odds with its hyper-masculine story craft. The liquid is a clear, warm butterscotch that forms fat tears on the glass.
Nose:
This whiskey’s nose is plantain roasted over a campfire. Toward the end of the inhale, there’s meatiness. As it rests, the nose sweetens to smoky toffee.
Palate:
Not a gentle whiskey, this. Warbringer explodes with banana fruitiness and a whiff of the nose’s campfire. The proof stings and quickly mellows to vanilla creaminess. A pleasant diesel flavor glides through the mid palate, leading to a long, herbaceous finish. Not nearly as smoky as I expected, given the talk and the nose.
Finish:
Comments:
This Southwest Bourbon works. The smoke is not overpowering; it calls back to the char of the barrel and the beach fires down the road, making for a balanced and interesting quaff. It’s a carefully crafted whiskey that holds up neat and also makes for an adventurous cocktail.

Editor’s Note: This whiskey was either bought as a sample by The Whiskey Wash or provided to us as a review sample by the party behind it. Per our editorial policies, this in no way influenced the outcome of this review.

Cindy Capparelli

Cindy Capperelli is the visionary founder of Portland Bitters Project, established in 2014 with the ambition to craft the finest bitters available. Today, her bitters are savored across the United States and internationally, enhancing cocktails with expressive flavors. In addition to her entrepreneurial endeavors, Cindy shares her expertise as an instructor at two Portland colleges. She also engages with private groups, distilleries, and maker's spaces, advocating for the use of high-quality ingredients and time-honored techniques. Cindy empowers her students with the confidence and knowledge to create exceptional drinks at home, experiment with tinctures, and enrich their overall food and beverage experiences.

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