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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 Time15 minutes
Cook Time2 hours
Total Time2 hours 15 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: cherry maple glaze, smoked ham, spiral ham
Servings: 9

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.