Steamboat Whiskey Company Warrior Whiskey
One of our favorite places to visit in Colorado is Steamboat Springs. It is an area we try to visit annually. Like many Colorado mountain towns, it offers a little bit of every type of adventure. From great multi-use trails to rivers and lakes, Steamboat has a little bit of everything. That includes the Steamboat Whiskey Company which is responsible for our latest acquisition, Warrior Whiskey.
We accidentally stumbled upon Steamboat Whiskey Company in the fall of 2021. Alie and I went to the Boat to meet up with a friend who was running in a local ultramarathon. Alie planned to enjoy a morning of hiking with the pups and I had planned to take a quick spin up Emerald Mountain on my mountain bike. However, my body rejected that plan and decided I needed to spend the weekend with crippling back pain and spasms. Since I couldn’t do much other than make sure my icy hot patch stayed on, we decided to find a place to grab a drink. Surely that would numb my pain.
Our new quest to find a place to get a stiff drink lead us to Steamboat Whiskey Company. Steamboat Whiskey Company had opened in 2017, but somehow, we’d missed it on at least two occasions, probably because it was buried down a side street towards the end of the main drag.
We hadn’t returned to the area since COVID wrecked the world, so we were surprised to find there was a “new” distillery in town. Steamboat Whiskey Company had only expanded its location in late 2019. Now, their bar and patio sit directly on HWY 40, making it harder to miss.
Warrior Whiskey
Steamboat Whiskey Company’s flagship product is their Warrior Whiskey. The Warrior is a blend of Colorado bourbon and Tennessee rye finished in rum casks. Warrior Whiskey is bottled at 100 proof, which I believe should be the standard for all whiskeys.
The founder of Steamboat Whiskey Company refers to the 100 proof offering as “Navy Strength,” likely a moniker from his days as a Navy Seal. If you are looking for a true Navy Strength offering which is usually 57% or 114 proof, you’ll want to check out the Warrior Whiskey Barrel Strength, which is bottled at nearly 59%.
Tasting Notes
Warrior Whiskey is a NAS (no age statement) blended whiskey aged in rum casks. Alie found the aroma to be sweet and refreshing, with hints of cornbread. I noticed a sweet floral scent that was very pleasant. This is one of the best smelling whiskeys we have tried.
Alie felt Warrior Whiskey tasted just like it smelled; sweet with a touch of cornbread and a refreshing finish. I noticed the sweet hints, with a touch of warmth and a light tobacco finish. Alie felt the whiskey was dynamic due to the complexity of flavors that combine the best of bourbon and rye.
We enjoyed Warrior Whiskey as a neat pour and with a little splash of water. With the water, it made it easier to pick out the flavors individually. We tried Warrior Whiskey in a standard Old Fashioned and it was really good. We also stirred up a Brown Sugar Manhattan using the Warrior Whiskey and it was amazing. The sweetness of the bourbon combined with the spiciness from the rye really made this cocktail. You can check out the recipe here.
I definitely enjoyed this pour due to the warmth and sweetness. There is something about Colorado whiskeys I really love. I’m not sure if it is the type of corn used in the mash bill or just the rocky mountain water. Maybe it’s the way frigid winter nights and the hot summer days affect the barrels. Whatever it is, it just hits differently than my favorite Kentucky bourbons. Warrior Whiskey hits all the right notes with the flavor profile in the same way our trips to Steamboat rejuvenate my soul.
Our Ratings
Drinkability: 4
Intensity: 3
Personal Preference: 3.9
Beginner Friendly: 3.5
Availability: 2
Overall: 3.8
Final Thoughts
Warrior Whiskey is really a great Colorado Whiskey and just a delicious whiskey in general. It is a little sweet, a little spicy, and has a nice warmth. While sipping this whiskey at home during a late, late spring snowstorm, I started reflecting on my first experience with Warrior Whiskey. Perhaps it was the excruciating pain of my strained back, or maybe my limited mobility, but I vaguely recall thinking the whiskey was good, but I don’t recall it being THIS good.
Warrior Whiskey is a Colorado Whiskey that is worth trying if you find it in a store near you. However, their distribution at the time of posting this review is only 7 states. If you happen to live in Colorado, Utah, Idaho, Montana, Texas, Tennessee, or Virginia, you’ll want to keep an eye open for this one. If you live elsewhere, you might have to plan your next vacation in lovely Steamboat Springs. If you do, make sure you don’t miss Warrior Whiskey.
Happy Exploring!
