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Servings: 9

Cherry Maple Bourbon Smoked Ham

This cherry maple bourbon ham is smoked low and slow, then repeatedly glazed until sticky, glossy, and caramelized with sweet heat and rich bourbon notes. It’s a show-stopping centerpiece that balances smoky BBQ flavor with bold cherry-maple sweetness.
Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 2 hours
Total: 2 hours 15 minutes
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Ingredients 

HAM

  • 1 spiral-cut ham
  • 2 tbsp yellow mustard
  • BBQ rub of choice

GLAZE

  • 1/2 cup maple syrup
  • 1/2 cup cherry preserves
  • 1/4 cup sriracha
  • 2 shots Whistle Pig Whiskey or favorite whiskey of choice

Instructions 

  • Preheat your smoker to 300°F, setting it up for indirect heat and clean smoke
  • Add the maple syrup, cherry preserves, sriracha, and whiskey to a saucepan on medium heat, stirring occasionally as it warms and thickens into a glossy glaze, about 15–20 minutes.
  • Lightly coat the spiral ham with mustard to act as a binder, then season generously on all sides with your favorite BBQ rub.
  • Place the ham directly on the smoker grates and cook at 300°F, allowing the smoke to build flavor while the exterior slowly tightens.
  • Brush the ham with the cherry maple whiskey glaze every 30 minutes, layering it on until the surface becomes sticky and caramelized, about 2–2.5 hours total.
  • Once the ham is deeply glazed and heated through, remove it from the smoker, rest for 10 minutes, then slice and serve warm.

About Brian

I share bold backyard BBQ recipes, game day favorites, and easy comfort food that anyone can make at home. What started as a hobby in 2020 has grown into a full-time passion for creating simple, crowd-pleasing recipes that are perfect for cookouts, tailgates, and weekend gatherings.

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