Backbone Big Bash American Whiskey

Backbone Big Bash American Whiskey is a finishing-barrel experiment that got out of hand in the best way — a 110 proof (55% ABV) 750mL "Blend of Straight Whiskeys" (Batch No. 1) from Backbone Bourbon Co., Indiana, released February 2023. The blend is straight rye and straight bourbon — but over 90% of it spent six months to two years in more than 25 different types of finishing barrels: sherry, port, rum, Islay Scotch, imperial stout, Amaro, Grand Marnier, añejo tequila, even banana brandy. The name came from the first taste: the blenders called it "a big party or big bash coming together in the bottle." Available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.

• Proof / ABV: 110 proof (55% ABV) — 750mL
• Blend: straight rye + straight bourbon whiskeys, Batch No. 1 — no age statement
• Finishing: >90% of the blend finished 6 months–2 years in 25+ barrel types (sherry, port, rum, Islay Scotch, imperial stout, Amaro, Grand Marnier, añejo tequila, banana brandy)
• Origin: Backbone Bourbon Co., Indiana
• Bottle: patriotic, hand-labeled

Twenty-Five Finishes, One Big Bash

Most finished whiskeys get one finishing barrel. Big Bash got twenty-five — over three years, the Backbone team laid down whiskey in everything from sherry and port to imperial stout, Amaro, and añejo tequila casks, then blended the finished lots toward "a touch of fruitiness, with a balanced and slightly exotic sweetness." At 110 proof it carries all of it. Explore more American whiskey or the Backbone range at Del Mesa.

Tasting Notes

Trade press: "Nose: dark berries, black cherry, and blood orange against soft vanilla, lightly toasted oak… plum pudding cut with brandy butter. Palate: dark fruits with a dark chocolate orange feel next to woody winter spices, soft leather tobacco pouches, and a hint of marmalade. Finish: lingers on cinnamon bark and clove berries… roasted peach and stewed plums drive a soft sweetness toward rich spicy tobacco."

How to Enjoy

Neat with a splash of water — 110 proof and 25 finishes deserve the full concentration. The fruit-forward sweetness also makes a remarkable Old Fashioned base.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Big Bash?
Backbone Bourbon Co.'s Batch No. 1 experiment: a blend of straight rye and straight bourbon, over 90% of it finished 6 months to 2 years in 25+ different barrel types.

How strong is it?
110 proof (55% ABV) — a full-strength, batch-numbered blend. (Older store copy saying 90 proof is incorrect.)

What barrels were used?
Sherry, port, rum, Islay Scotch, imperial stout, Amaro, Grand Marnier, añejo tequila, and banana brandy — among more than 25 types laid down over three years.

A big bash in a hand-labeled bottle — order Backbone Big Bash American Whiskey from Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.