Bloody Basin Bourbon

Thumb Butte Distillery has crafted a bourbon over the last few years that has proved itself among the finest available corn-based whiskies from around the world. The mash bill of 74% corn, 21% rye and 4% barley has become the winning combination of the finest grains available. After multiple distillations and filtrations, Bloody Basin Bourbon is aged in air dried, port wine infused, American white oak acquired from a Kentucky wood drying yard. This whisky is truly ‘art you can drink’.

2017 Bronze Medal American Distilling Institute
2017 Bronze Medal Washington Cup

Come to our Tasting Room and experience this neat, over ice, or in one of our favorite craft cocktails. See our Events for Live Music, or check out our home page for Tours of our Distillery to get the full experience.

Thumb Butte’s Smashed and Bloody
2 ounces Bloody Basin Bourbon
3/4 ounce grenadine
1/2 simple syrup
2 lemons
soda water

Muddle lemon wedges in shaker with grenadine and simple syrup. Add Bloody Basin bourbon and ice and shake. Strain into tumbler over fresh ice and top with soda water.

Why do we call it Bloody Basin Bourbon?!
Just southeast of Prescott off Interstate HWY 17 lies Bloody Basin. This was the location of a reprisal attack by the military against a band of Tonto Apaches.

In March of 1873 this band of Tonto Apaches attacked and killed a party of three settlers. This attack by the Tonto spurred a strong reprisal by Captain George Randall who was under the general command of General George Crook.

They located the Tonto Apaches at Turret Peak, a Yavapai stronghold. Randall and a group of soldiers and scouts crept up Turret Peak at midnight, and at dawn they attacked. The Apaches were taken by surprise and many jumped to their death off the precipice. The rest were killed or surrendered. The number of Apaches killed varies by account from 26 to 57. After this incident the Apache resistance quickly dissipated and most of the Tonto band was resettled to the San Carlos Reservation, not to return for many years.

We hope that our Bloody Basin Bourbon inspires you to take an interest in the history of our region and the West as a whole. You will find it fascinating, and we will help you through any sinking spells. Take a pull from your Thumb Butte Flask, read the history, and try to accept the shared fault, ambiguity and guile from all players.