{"title":"Breaker","description":null,"products":[{"product_id":"breaker-bourbon-750ml","title":"Breaker Bourbon 750ML","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBreaker Bourbon 750ML\u003c\/strong\u003e is a small-batch bourbon bottled at 90 proof (45% ABV) in 750ml format, sourced from MGP Distillery in Indiana and finished in coastal California. It earned a Double Gold medal at the 2014 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, along with a Gold Medal for Best American Bourbon (7 years and under) at the World Whiskies Awards.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQuick Facts:\u003c\/strong\u003e ABV: 45% (90 Proof)  |  Origin: Buellton, California (sourced from Lawrenceburg, Indiana)  |  Minimum 5 Years Old  |  Distillery: Ascendant Spirits\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eProduction \u0026amp; Heritage\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eBreaker Bourbon begins its life at MGP Distillery in Lawrenceburg, Indiana, where it is distilled from a high-rye mashbill of 60% corn, 30% rye, and 10% malted barley and aged a minimum of five years in new, deeply charred white American oak 53-gallon barrels. The whiskey then travels to Ascendant Spirits in Buellton, California — situated in the Santa Rita Hills — where only eight barrels are hand-selected by the Master Distiller for each batch. The coastal California climate plays a critical role: daily temperature swings of 40 to 50 degrees and intense humidity cause the barrels to expand and contract aggressively, accelerating wood interaction. Research from California Polytechnic State University suggests this environment can age whiskey up to four times faster than Kentucky's climate, giving Breaker a distinctive maturation character despite its stated age.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eTasting Notes\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAroma:\u003c\/strong\u003e The nose opens with pronounced vanilla sweetness, followed by layers of caramel corn and toasted coconut. A subtle grapefruit citrus emerges behind the sweetness, keeping the bouquet from veering one-dimensional.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTaste:\u003c\/strong\u003e Entry is soft and corn-sweet, immediately giving way to a rich mid-palate of taffy, nougat, and graham cracker. The 30% rye asserts itself with a measured pepper spice that cuts through the sweetness, while tropical fruit jam and cherry notes develop toward the peak.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFinish:\u003c\/strong\u003e Medium-long, with charred oak and a lingering caramel sweetness anchoring the close. Peach and a faint menthol coolness round out the final impression, leaving a clean and balanced exit.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eHow to Drink Breaker Bourbon\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eNeat or with a single ice cube is the best way to appreciate the interplay between the MGP distillate and the California finishing influence; a few drops of water open up the tropical fruit notes considerably. Beyond sipping, the bourbon's sweetness and spice translate well into cocktails:\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOld Fashioned\u003c\/strong\u003e — The heavy vanilla and caramel core pairs naturally with bitters and orange peel without needing additional sweetener.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBourbon Sour\u003c\/strong\u003e — Breaker's fruit-forward profile (cherry, peach, grapefruit) harmonizes with fresh citrus juice rather than competing with it.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eManhattan\u003c\/strong\u003e — The rye-forward spice and oak char stand up to sweet vermouth, delivering a well-structured cocktail with depth.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eBest For\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBourbon drinkers curious about how climate and terroir affect whiskey maturation\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGifting a whiskey enthusiast who already owns the usual Kentucky staples\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePairing alongside a California-themed dinner or wine-country gathering\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBuilding a tasting flight of MGP-sourced bourbons to compare finishing environments\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat does Breaker Bourbon taste like?\u003c\/strong\u003e Breaker Bourbon leads with heavy vanilla, caramel, and coconut sweetness before a rye-driven pepper spice emerges on the mid-palate. The finish is medium-long with charred oak, peach, and a subtle menthol coolness.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow does Breaker Bourbon compare to James E. Pepper 1776 Bourbon?\u003c\/strong\u003e Both are sourced from MGP in Indiana and use a high-rye bourbon mashbill — Breaker at 60\/30\/10 corn-rye-barley, Pepper 1776 at 60\/36\/4. The key difference is Breaker's extended interaction with California's coastal climate, which imparts more pronounced tropical fruit and coconut notes compared to the spicier, more traditional profile of Pepper 1776.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs Breaker Bourbon good for sipping neat?\u003c\/strong\u003e Yes — the 90-proof bottling strength and minimum five-year age statement deliver enough complexity and balance for neat sipping without being harsh or overly hot.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhere is Breaker Bourbon made?\u003c\/strong\u003e The whiskey is distilled and initially aged at MGP Distillery in Lawrenceburg, Indiana, then selected, blended, and bottled by Ascendant Spirits in Buellton, California, in the Santa Rita Hills region.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat foods pair well with Breaker Bourbon?\u003c\/strong\u003e Grilled stone fruit like peaches or nectarines echo the bourbon's fruity finish. Smoked pork belly complements the charred oak and caramel sweetness. Dark chocolate with sea salt amplifies the vanilla and nougat notes. Aged Gouda mirrors the caramel tones, and pecan pie aligns with the graham cracker and toasted nut character on the palate.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat sizes does Breaker Bourbon come in?\u003c\/strong\u003e Breaker Bourbon is most commonly available in the standard 750ml bottle.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs Breaker Bourbon worth the price?\u003c\/strong\u003e Breaker Bourbon positions itself in the mid-premium tier, justified by its minimum five-year age statement, small eight-barrel batches, and the added dimension of California coastal maturation — a combination that distinguishes it from comparably priced sourced bourbons.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eWhy Breaker Bourbon?\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWhat separates Breaker from other MGP-sourced bourbons is the measurable impact of its California finishing environment. The Santa Rita Hills climate subjects each barrel to extreme daily temperature fluctuations that intensify wood extraction, producing the pronounced coconut, tropical fruit, and deep vanilla that define this whiskey's profile. The Double Gold medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition and Gold for Best American Bourbon at the World Whiskies Awards confirm that the approach delivers results, not just a compelling origin story. With only eight barrels selected per batch, each release maintains a level of curation uncommon at this price tier, making Breaker a genuinely differentiated expression in a crowded sourced-bourbon landscape.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Breaker","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44837723668649,"sku":"30673","price":42.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0680\/1024\/6313\/files\/Breaker-Bourbon__70993.jpg?v=1730492004"}],"url":"https:\/\/theliquorbarn.com\/collections\/breaker.oembed","provider":"The Liquor Barn","version":"1.0","type":"link"}