Sips & Sites & Bites

There are smoky whiskeys … and then there is the new release from Sespe Creek Distillery that proudly calls itself the “Smokiest Bourbon on the Planet.”

And honestly? That is not just marketing bravado.

The distillery’s latest limited release, Warbringer “Cowboy” Edition Mesquite Smoked Southwest Bourbon, is a bold, smoky, single-barrel whiskey created in partnership with UFC Hall of Famer Donald Cerrone. Better known to fans as “Cowboy” Cerrone, the former fighter teamed up with Master Distiller John Campbell to select a standout barrel that now carries Cowboy’s name and signature.

And yes, this thing sounds wild in the best possible way.

Unlike traditional bourbons, Warbringer Cowboy Edition starts with mesquite smoked corn flaking grits, immediately pushing the whiskey into campfire territory before it even reaches the barrel. Then, just to double down on the concept, the bourbon is filtered three separate times through mesquite charcoal prepared right at the distillery in Oxnard, California.

That means the mesquite influence shows up at both the beginning and end of production, creating a whiskey that feels more Southwestern campfire than Kentucky rickhouse.

But according to Cowboy himself, this is not just some smoke bomb designed to knock drinkers over.

“You don’t always need a whiskey that punches you in the mouth,” Cerrone said. “John Campbell and I picked this barrel because it’s mellow, balanced, and smooth as hell without losing its backbone.”

The tasting notes back that up. On the nose, the bourbon opens with warm smoked cinnamon rolls, vanilla, black cherry, and baked apple pie, all wrapped in eucalyptus and mesquite smoke. The palate leans into cherry, vanilla, dark chocolate, toasted baking spice, and mellow campfire smoke, while the finish is smooth, warming, and lingering.

At 110 proof and bottled at cask strength without dilution, this is definitely a whiskey for fans of smoky pours and experimental bourbon-making.

The catch? There are only 160 bottles available.

Warbringer “Cowboy” Edition Mesquite Smoked Southwest Bourbon carries a suggested retail price of $125 for a 750ml bottle and is available exclusively direct-to-consumer through Warbringer Bourbon.

For whiskey drinkers looking for something that breaks away from the usual bourbon playbook, this one might just be the bottle that smells like a campfire and drinks like dessert.