Featuring Distillers Laurie & Bernard Quandt

On this week's episode of The Whiskey Trip, Big Chief heads into the rugged granite country of Llano, Texas, to spend the day with distillers Laurie and Bernard Quandt of War Trail Spirits. Their passion for the Hill Country, their hands-on approach, and their embrace of modern distilling tools make this stop one of the most memorable rides of the season. War Trail Spirits stands out not just for its bold flavors but for its innovative setup — the Quandts use a modern iStill, a technologically advanced system that allows for precision, consistency, and creative freedom in crafting their spirits. It's whiskey with Texas soul, produced with next-generation equipment.

The tasting begins with War Trail's County Road 80 Proof Whiskey, an approachable opener that sets a friendly pace for the day. Big Chief immediately catches the Dr Pepper-like spice and sweetness, wrapped in soft vanilla and mellow grain character. It's smooth, flavorful, and the perfect way to begin exploring what War Trail is all about.

From there, the crew moves to Broken Halo 94 Proof, a six-barrel batch built from a mashbill of 80% corn and 20% rye. This whiskey brings Big Chief straight into nostalgia with notes of Cracker Jacks, kettle corn, and roasted peanuts, all lifted by a warm rye spice that gives it balance and personality. But the ride shifts into high gear when Big Chief opens the Broken Halo Barrel Strength, a powerhouse clocking in at 115 proof. This pour bursts with orange creamsicle, orange candy spice, and layered sweetness that earns immediate high praise — Big Chief calls it a real contender for Whiskey of the Year.

Laurie and Bernard then break out something from their experimental track: a corn, barley, and triticale whiskey bottled at 118 proof. This expression brings a bold Texas funk, followed by a dessert-driven finish of charred marshmallow, s'mores, and even a whisper of Mexican flan. It's wild, fun, and a perfect example of how War Trail uses the precision of the iStill to explore flavor in new ways without losing their Hill Country identity.

To close out the visit, the Quandts surprise Big Chief with a four-grain wheat whiskey at 97 proof. This pour immediately throws the big man a curveball — it bursts with botanical notes, so bright and aromatic that for a moment he wonders if he's sipping a barrel-aged gin. But the grain depth and oak character bring it back into whiskey territory, showing a level of complexity and creativity rarely found in young Texas craft spirits.

By the end of the trip, it's obvious that War Trail Spirits is one of the most innovative and exciting whiskey makers in Texas, blending frontier grit with modern distilling technology to craft spirits full of personality, texture, and Hill Country swagger. Laurie and Bernard Quandt are putting Llano on the whiskey map, one bold bottle at a time.

Take the Ride with Big Chief.