Brand Spotlight: War Trail Spirits
War Trail Spirits is one of those Texas brands that makes it clear right away what it is all about. Taste. Tradition. Texas, and based right in the heart of Llano, Texas. The Brand focuses on creating spirits that honor the taste and tradition of the Texas Hill Country. Using time-honored methods, modern techniques, and all-Texan ingredients grown in their region.
Founders Laurie and Bernard Quandt left their previous careers behind and set out to build a Texas distillery that would let people “Taste Texas in a Glass.” Built around the idea of creating spirits that reflect the land, climate, and character of the Hill Country, from the mineral water and hot sun to the mesquite- and sage-scented environment they say helps shape the identity of their products.
The history behind the name is a big part of the brand too. War Trail, is situated in a region historically associated with the Comanche war trails, once used by the Comanche. The company’s distillery is uniquely located near the site of some of the earliest and last battles between the Comanche and settlers, in the region. This profound connection to the land inspired the name War Trail Spirits.
The Lineup:
War Trail appears to center its portfolio around Broken Halo Bourbon, County Road Whiskey, and Llano Craft Vodka and Gin. They place special emphasis on the bourbon and whiskey side of the business. The brand proudly claims that their spirits are innovative blends of Texas-made spirits ultimately paying homage to the past also while embracing the future.
Broken Halo Bourbon is War Trail’s premium bourbon expression, four-year-old traditional pot-distilled bourbon made through a Texas grain-to-glass process. With tasting notes that include candied orange peel, creamy vanilla, caramel, and a hint of black pepper.
County Road Whiskey gives the lineup a more approachable lane. Texas-crafted whiskey designed to balance affordability and authenticity. A naturally flavored blend meant to reflect the Texas countryside. Once made, each barrel is taken on a ride over the county roads that inspired the whiskey’s name before bottling. This giving the product a story that stays closely tied to the land and brand identity.
Final Thoughts:
At the end of the day, what stands out to me about War Trail Spirits is that the brand feels real. It feels grounded in where it comes from, and it feels like they care about putting Texas in the bottle instead of just using Texas as a sales pitch. Between the Hill Country roots, the local ingredients, and the way they talk about tradition, War Trail Spirits looks like a brand worth keeping an eye on.
Jason Antee – Founder
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