Mark Megahan
It’s the kind of moonshine that came out of your Grandpappy’s still. If he was a master craftsman, that is. Last year, Sespe Creek Distilling managed to hire famed Scotch whisky distiller John Campbell to run their California based operation. Since he’s new on the job and wanted to do something a little envelope pushing to let everyone know what he’s up to, he decided to release some raw, unaged firewater.
Straight from the still
Warbringer Big Cockerel Aguardiente was dripped straight from the still into the bottle. Oxnard, California-based Sespe Creek Distilling says this should “let you know that this brand isn’t afraid to push the boundaries of what is expected.”
Their newly hired Master Distiller John Campbell is proud to show what he can do.
They used a good old fashioned copper still and ran the blend through twice. Starting with a mash that’s “60% mesquite-smoked corn, 15% fire-toasted corn, and 25% malted rye” they produce a potent but tasty finished product.
“The name Aguardiente roughly translates to ‘fiery water.‘” It may be crystal clear but packs “surprisingly complex” flavor.
Experts say the whiskey “begins with a nose of toasted pumpkin seeds, graham crackers, and mesquite smoke. The palate is a mix of molé, mezcal, mesquite-grilled chicken, and sweet potato.”
“The finish is long, lingering, and dry and ends with notes of smoked peanut brittle and flan.” If that’s what it tastes like straight from the still, imagine what it’ll taste like in 15 or 20 years.
Back to basics
“Having the freedom to innovate was very important to me – and I knew Sespe Creek was different,” Campbell relates. “For my first release, it was clear that I had to strip back what I knew, and start from the foundations up,” the bulky Scotsman explains.
“Big Cockerel Aqaudente is just that, the first spirit of my tenure.” The liquid dripping from his still is linked into the “local heritage” of California.
Campbell was smart enough to realize that Oxnard isn’t the Scottish highlands. Time to prune back to his Scottish roots and grow anew. “Where better to start than at the very beginning of what’s required to make good whiskey?”
He put that in the still and worked his magic. Once it was done, he was anxious to get it out into the world. There’s plenty of the batch to age in casks for a long time to come but it only comes out fresh once.
For now, the “suggested retail price” is $35 for a 750ml bottle. Depending on demand it could earn unicorn status fast.
Insiders note that “Warbringer Big Cockerel Aguardiente will be available this month at select retailers in California.” You can also get it straight from the still at Sespe Creek’s website.
