Real bourbon. Real pecans. It came back because you wouldn't let it go.
High-Oleic Runner peanuts from North Carolina farms. Evie's Sweet & Salty Pecans. Organic Vermont maple syrup. Organic cocoa butter. Applewood smoked salt and Jacobsen sea salt. And real bourbon whiskey — the kind that comes from a barrel, not a flavor lab. Most foods labeled "bourbon" get there via a bottle of synthetic flavoring. This one doesn't. What that produces is a nut butter that tastes the way bourbon pecan anything should: warm, nutty, a little smoky, with maple sitting in the background rather than announcing itself.
This spent time as a sold-out limited batch before demand made it permanent. Spread it on morning toast. Stir it into overnight oats. Put it on fresh apple slices when you want something that feels more considered than whatever you would normally grab. For the occasions that call for a little more effort — something to drink, crackers or toast points, this on the side — it handles itself without much help from you.
- Back as a permanent SKU after multiple sold-out limited runs
- Real bourbon whiskey — not "bourbon flavor," not natural flavoring, not a shortcut
- Evie's Sweet & Salty Pecans + Organic Vermont maple syrup
- High-Oleic Runner peanuts sourced from NC Coastal Plain farmers
- Applewood smoked salt + Jacobsen sea salt — two salts, one job
- Non-GMO, Vegan, Soy Free, Palm Oil Free, No Refined Sugar
- Gluten Free
- 3 oz — TSA-approved, travel-ready, the right size for gifting or making a point
The Snack
Big Spoon Roasters started this one the way they start most things: with a real ingredient brief and no shortcuts. The peanuts are High-Oleic Runner variety, grown by a community of farmers on North Carolina's Coastal Plain. The pecans come from Evie's — a specific prepared pecan blend of sweet and salty that adds texture and a different kind of nuttiness than peanuts alone. The maple syrup is organic Vermont. The cocoa butter is organic (and, for clarity: cocoa butter is the fat pressed from cocoa beans — no dairy). The salts are two different kinds: applewood smoked for warmth, Jacobsen for finish.
The bourbon is real. That matters enough to say again. Most "bourbon" and "bourbon barrel" food products are flavored with synthetically produced compounds designed to mimic the taste of bourbon. Big Spoon uses actual bourbon whiskey. The alcohol cooks away during production and the finished product tests well below the 0.5% ABV threshold for food products — but the flavor that genuine bourbon contributes is not something a lab ingredient can replicate the same way.
Use it on morning toast, on fresh apple slices, stirred into overnight oats, or spread on crackers alongside whatever you are drinking. For low-effort entertaining: toast points, this on the side, something in a glass. That is a complete plan.
Ingredients & Allergens
Ingredients: High-Oleic Peanuts, Sweet & Salty Pecans (Pecans, Coconut Oil, Cane, Maple & Brown Sugar, Salt), Organic Vermont Maple Syrup, Bourbon Whiskey, Organic Cocoa Butter, Applewood Smoked Sea Salt, Jacobsen Sea Salt
Allergens: Contains peanuts and pecans. May contain traces of other tree nuts.
Alcohol note: The bourbon whiskey used in this recipe is a real ingredient, not a flavoring. The alcohol cooks away during production. The finished product contains well below the 0.5% ABV maximum permitted in food products.
Nutrition Facts — Serving Size: 2 Tbsp (28g / 1 oz) | Servings per container: approximately 3
- Calories: 160
- Total Fat: 14g (18% DV)
- Saturated Fat: 2g (10% DV)
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Cholesterol: 0mg (0% DV)
- Sodium: 35mg (2% DV)
- Total Carbohydrates: 7g (3% DV)
- Dietary Fiber: 2g (7% DV)
- Total Sugars: 3g (includes 2g Added Sugars, 4% DV)
- Protein: 6g
- Calcium: 2% DV | Iron: 2% DV | Potassium: 4% DV
Non-GMO. Vegan. Soy Free. Palm Oil Free. No Refined Sugar. Gluten Free.
*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about Bourbon Pecan Peanut Butter
What does it taste like?
Warm, nutty, and layered — but not complicated. The peanut is the base. The pecans add a richer, butterier nuttiness and some texture. The maple is present but subtle. The applewood smoked salt gives it a faint savory warmth at the back end. The bourbon reads as depth rather than a distinct flavor hit — it rounds everything out without announcing itself. The Jacobsen sea salt finishes it cleanly. It tastes like something that had a lot of thought put into it without tasting like it is trying too hard.
Is there actual bourbon in this? How much alcohol does it contain?
Yes — real bourbon whiskey, not a flavoring or "bourbon extract." Big Spoon Roasters uses genuine spirits because synthetic bourbon flavoring does not produce the same result. The alcohol cooks away during production. The finished product tests well below the 0.5% ABV maximum permitted for food products — comparable to or lower than many fruit juices. The bourbon contributes flavor, not alcohol content.
Is this safe if I have a nut allergy?
No. This product contains both peanuts and pecans (a tree nut), and is produced in a facility that processes other tree nuts as well. It is not appropriate for anyone with a peanut allergy or tree nut allergy. Do not serve to anyone with either allergy.
Does cocoa butter mean there is dairy in this?
No. Cocoa butter is the fat pressed from cocoa beans — it is fully plant-based and contains no dairy. It is called "butter" because of its texture and fat content, not because of any connection to dairy. The product is certified Vegan by Big Spoon Roasters. No dairy in the jar.
What do I use it for beyond a spoon?
Morning toast is the easy answer. Apple slices are a strong pairing — the sweet-tart of a fresh apple and the bourbon-pecan combination work well together. Stirred into overnight oats it adds a warm, nutty note. For entertaining: spread on crackers or toast points, serve alongside whatever is in the glass. It also works as a peanut butter substitute in baking where a richer, more complex base is welcome.
Why did it go from limited to permanent?
Demand. It sold out as a limited batch. Customers asked when it was coming back. Big Spoon Roasters added it to the permanent lineup. No dramatic story — it was just popular enough that discontinuing it stopped making sense.
Is it vegan? I thought bourbon might not be?
Big Spoon Roasters lists this product as Vegan. Most bourbon is produced without animal-derived fining agents, and their formulation is vegan-certified. If you follow a strict vegan standard that requires verification of every sub-ingredient in the production chain, confirm directly with Big Spoon Roasters at the level of detail you need.
How do I store it?
Room temperature works for everyday use. Because the peanut and pecan oils are natural and there are no added preservatives, refrigeration is recommended if you will not finish the jar within a few weeks. The cocoa butter may cause slight firmness in the fridge — let it sit at room temperature for a few minutes before spreading. Check the best-by date on your jar for the specific shelf life window.
