Huge mesquite smoke | Roasted corn salsa | Mesquite charcoal | Smoke dominates

Rye spice | Mexican chocolate | Oak | Whoppers candy | Smoked syrup

Mesquite charcoal | Leather | Dry oak | Smoky aftertaste

Sespe Creek Distillery was founded in 2017 by distiller David Brandt Ph.D. and is located in California. 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 distiller of scotch, recently joined as the company’s COO and Master Distiller.

With mesquite smoked right in the name, you have to assume that this bourbon will deliver a smoke-influenced pour, and boy, does it deliver in spades on that promise. Opening with a huge blast of mesquite smoke, smoke absolutely dominates the nose, with roasted corn salsa and mesquite charcoal competing for your attention. The palate pulls in a few new flavors, focusing on rye spice, chocolate notes, and oak, along with a smoked syrup, while the finish swings right back to mesquite-dominated flavors and an incredible smoky aftertaste.

Unlike whiskeys such as Whiskey Del Bac’s Mesquite-influenced whiskey, nonsmoke and mesquite flavors have a hard time pushing through the sip. The mesquite and smoke flavors are so intense that you forget that this bourbon is even finished in sherry casks. I could see this bourbon pairing well with a BBQ dinner, however, as a regular pour, be aware that you’d want to end the night with it, not start it, as your palate is in for one smoky ride. There will be individuals who are seeking out a smoky-flavored bourbon, and in that case, Warbringer Mesquite Smoked Bourbon will hit the mark. For everyone else, however, its smoke influence plays a double-edged sword, dominating throughout and not allowing the rare two grain mashbill to shine through.

The bourbon in review comes from batch 000-20 and was released on July 1, 2024.