Sespe Creek to make Bourbon with UFC champion
Californian distillery Sespe Creek has partnered with mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter Valentina Shevchenko on a small batch Bourbon series.
Shevchenko is currently the Women’s Flyweight Champion for the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and fights under the nickname ‘Bullet’.
A newcomer to the whiskey world, she said: “I have such deep respect for creativity and artistry of all kinds. The discipline required to be great at what you choose to do in life, whether it be as an athlete or a craft distiller, resonates with how I live my life both in and out of the Octagon.
“I’m honoured to partner with Sespe Creek Distillery, where John [Campbell, master distiller] and I will continue building on Warbringer’s legacy of creating masterful Bourbons with elite athletes.”
Shevchenko defended her belt over the weekend at the UFC 315 pay-per-view, for the 10th time.
Her Bourbons will fall under Sespe Creek’s Warbringer Whiskey brand, which has seen the distillery previously collaborate with other MMA fighters such as Josh ‘Warmaster’ Barnett and Donald ‘Cowboy’ Cerrone.
Warbringer’s Bourbon production is headed by John Campbell, who took over as master distiller following his move to the US from Scotland last year, after he departed Lochlea.
Before Lochlea, Campbell was at Islay distillery Laphroaig for more than 25 years.
On working with Shevchenko, Campbell said: “On paper, you’d never put a Scottish distiller and a champion fighter together – but that’s what makes this such a great collaboration.
“Valentina brings this intensity and focus that I can relate to – it’s the same mindset I’ve brought to whisky making for over 30 years. We’re both obsessed with our respective crafts, with doing things properly, and with pushing limits.
“Warbringer Bourbon is rooted in Americana, but it’s not afraid to break the mould – and neither are we. I can’t wait to get going and I am excited to see what we produce.”
Sespe Creek also makes Silvergrin Vodka and Parlor Cay Rum.
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