Mesquite smoke | Mesquite wood chips | Very faint berries | Smoke bomb

Roasted corn | Mixed dark berries | Rye spice | Light syrup | Mexican dark chocolate |  Charcoal | Liquid smoke

Fire-roasted cacao | Charred oak | Moderate rye spice | Intense lingering mesquite-smoked wood chips

Sespe Creek Distillery is located in Oxnard, California and was founded in 2017 by distiller David Brandt Ph.D. Alfred English took over as CEO in 2021 after Brandt retired and continues the company’s focus on the unique aspects of what makes Warbringer Mesquite Smoked Bourbon, mainly the smoke influence. The company states that “the flaking grits corn is smoked for 2-days in a custom cold smoke box with natural mesquite firewood from Texas.” The company should continue this tradition well into the future, as John Campbell, a long-time Scotch distiller, joined the company as COO and master distiller.

Cowboy Edition is the first new release from the company’s Warbringer collection blended entirely under Campbell’s direction. This 160 bottle single barrel is a partnership between Campbell (ex-Laphroaig) and UFC icon Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone. The company states that “Warbringer Cowboy Edition is the self-proclaimed ‘Smokiest Bourbon on the Planet,’ and the inclusion of mesquite charcoal filtration (filtered three times through mesquite charcoal prepared and done at the distillery in Oxnard, CA) makes for [a] wholly original experience that features mesquite at both the first step and final step of production.”

Before the glass even comes close to your nose, the mesquite influence is apparent. An aroma dominated by mesquite smoke and mesquite wood chips produces an intense smoke bomb. Very faint berries from the sherry cask finish try to push through, but are no match. However, this same finish pulls in distinct mixed berries at mid-palate, which complement the roasted corn, rye spice, Mexican dark chocolate, and light syrup flavors that rest atop liquid smoke. The finish is an onslaught of chocolate and oak, both heavily influenced by the mesquite-smoked grains and mesquite charcoal filtering. While it has an extremely unique flavor profile, there is no doubt the oak and smoke flavors steal too much of the focus overall.

Smoke is the name of the game with Warbringer “Cowboy” Edition, specifically mesquite smoke. There’s no denying the bourbon lives up to its self-proclaimed “Smokiest Bourbon on the Planet” as its mesquite-smoked corn dominates throughout. However, compared to Batch 20, I found the sip slightly warmer and more inviting, and better aligned with Batch 22’s trajectory. There is no doubt that this is an absolute love-it-or-hate-it bourbon, but for those who seek out smoky pours or enjoy a smoke-infused cocktail, Warbringer “Cowboy” Edition Mesquite Smoked Southwest Bourbon delivers. For everyone else, however, the incessant onslaught of smoke influence and oak will provide a serious pause, making them wonder whether the brand can ever hone this line into a flavor profile that doesn’t rely on a shock factor to stand out.