Introducing Ma Deuce Bourbon
Pure Distilling is proud to release Ma Deuce Bourbon, our newest small-batch expression—a bold, barrel-finished bourbon inspired by one of America’s most iconic weapons systems. Ma Deuce Bourbon begins with a high-corn mash bill, delivering a naturally warm, caramel-forward foundation. It is aged over two years in new American oak barrels, developing depth, structure, and a classic bourbon backbone. The spirit is then finished in Sauza tequila barrels, which lend an inviting agave sweetness to the nose and smooths the overall profile into a rich, delicious finish. At 50% ABV—100 proof—just like a .50 cal, this bourbon is strong, clean, and crafted with purpose.
Few machines embody American resilience like the M2 Browning .50-caliber machine gun, lovingly nicknamed “Ma Deuce.” Designed by the legendary John Moses Browning toward the end of World War I and fielded in the early 1930s, the M2 became the cornerstone of U.S. heavy-weapon firepower for nearly every major conflict of the 20th and 21st centuries. Its combination of reliability, range, and raw stopping power made it indispensable across land, air, and sea domains—from the beaches of Normandy and the skies over Korea to the convoys of Iraq and the mountains of Afghanistan.
The M2’s heritage is not only about firepower—it’s about adaptability. Over the decades, Ma Deuce has been refitted, re-mounted, and re-imagined for countless platforms: tanks, aircraft, patrol boats, turreted vehicles, and fixed defensive positions. Despite modernization across the force, the core mechanism of Browning’s design has changed remarkably little. When a weapon remains the gold standard for nearly a century, it says something profound about the genius of its engineering and the grit of the people who wield it.
One of the most remarkable historical anecdotes about the M2 comes from its long, unbroken service life. The M2 is widely considered the oldest continuously used weapon system in the U.S. military inventory, still rolling into new conflicts with the same mechanical DNA that Browning patented generations ago. In some units, individual M2 receivers have documented service histories stretching from World War II all the way to present day deployments—fighting on remote mountaintops, protecting convoys in hostile deserts, and providing overwatch from the decks of ships around the globe. Few tools in military history have served so many Americans, in so many places, for so long.
This legacy resonates deeply with us at Pure Distilling. Our company is proudly veteran-owned, founded by two Army officers whose careers sp spanned airborne, armor, cavalry, civil affairs, and aviation roles. Today, our distillery family includes a Marine and two Air Force veterans—professionals who understand the quiet pride of service, the importance of craftsmanship, and the bond that forms between people who’ve carried weight together. Ma Deuce Bourbon is more than a name; it’s a nod to the communities that shaped us and the values we carry into every bottle we produce.
In releasing Ma Deuce Bourbon, we honor a weapon whose longevity symbolizes the same qualities we strive for at Pure Distilling—reliability, excellence, and unyielding character. Like the venerable M2, this bourbon is built with care, meant to endure, and crafted to bring people together. Whether enjoyed around a campfire, shared at a homecoming gathering, or poured in quiet reflection, Ma Deuce Bourbon is our tribute to American service and the traditions that continue to inspire us. Cheers to history. Cheers to the veterans who shaped this country. And cheers to the enduring spirit that lives on in every pour.