Founder · Badwater Brands
Seth
Benhaim.
Seth Benhaim is the founder of Badwater Brands and the entrepreneur behind Infuse Spirits, Broken Barrel Whiskey, and Mainland Rum. Based in Los Angeles, he brings more than a decade of hands-on experience in spirits creation, blending, barrel selection, and brand building.

01 · The beginning
Built by doing.
His work began in 2012 with Infuse Spirits, built around a straightforward idea: real fruit and spices, infused directly in the bottle. The brand grew from early experiments into a nationally distributed portfolio, giving Seth a practical education in product development, production, and the work of bringing a new spirits brand to market.


02 · An approach to oak
Curiosity.
Then craft.
With Broken Barrel Whiskey, that curiosity became a distinctive approach to finishing. Rather than relying on a single finishing cask, Seth explored combinations of barrel staves, developing the brand’s Oak Bill concept to make the finishing recipe as transparent as the mash bill. His work brought together oak and casks with histories in bourbon, sherry, wine, and other spirits to create layered whiskey profiles. In 2023, Broken Barrel was named Brand Innovator at the Icons of Whisky America awards, while its Cask Strength Bourbon won Best Kentucky Finished Bourbon at the World Whiskies Awards.
03 · Across American spirits
A founder’s
perspective.
Seth launched Mainland Rum in 2025 to spotlight exceptional rum made across the United States. Its early releases included single-cask rums from California and Louisiana, bottled at cask strength with an emphasis on provenance and regional character. The project extends his interest in discovering overlooked barrels and giving drinkers a clearer understanding of what is in the bottle.
Through Badwater Brands, Seth brings that founder’s perspective to other spirits businesses. His experience connects the creative decisions behind a liquid and its identity with the practical demands of developing, launching, and growing a brand.

Conversations & coverage
In the press.
Seth and his brands have been featured, interviewed, quoted, or reviewed by these publications and podcasts.
The Rum Lab
SETH BENHAIM: Founder of Mainland Rum
2025-09-09 · Founder interview
American Whiskey Magazine
Distillery Focus: Broken Barrel Whiskey
2022-08-08 · Founder interview & feature
Park Street University
Infuse Spirits: A Self-taught Innovator’s Playbook for Successful Brand Building
2024-09-17 · Founder interview
Bourbon Pursuit
471 – Standing Out In A Crowded Market with Seth Benhaim of Broken Barrel
2024-07-18 · Podcast guest
The Rumcast
155: The Search for the Best American Rums with Mainland Rum’s Seth Benhaim
2026-06-20 · Podcast guest
VinePair
Amburana Is Bourbon’s Hottest Barrel Finish. Is the Trend Already Over?
2024-07-26 · Quoted expert
Founder interviews & podcast appearances
- The Rum LabSETH BENHAIM: Founder of Mainland Rum2025-09-09 · Founder interview
- American Whiskey MagazineDistillery Focus: Broken Barrel Whiskey2022-08-08 · Founder interview & feature
- Park Street UniversityInfuse Spirits: A Self-taught Innovator’s Playbook for Successful Brand Building2024-09-17 · Founder interview
- Bourbon Pursuit471 – Standing Out In A Crowded Market with Seth Benhaim of Broken Barrel2024-07-18 · Podcast guest
- The Rumcast155: The Search for the Best American Rums with Mainland Rum’s Seth Benhaim2026-06-20 · Podcast guest
- Whiskey Lore27 – BROKEN BARREL: Taking a Sledgehammer to a Whiskey Barrel2021 · Podcast guest
- The Bourbon Road326. Exploring New Whiskeys – with Seth Benhaim of Broken Barrel2022-12-28 · Podcast guest
- The Booze HustleSeth Benhaim2024-01-29 · Podcast guest
- Bourbon Lens49: Broken Barrel Whiskey2019-12-16 · Podcast guest
- Film & WhiskeyWhiskey Spotlight: Broken Barrel Whiskey Co.2021-08-12 · Podcast guest
Expert commentary & industry features
- VinePairAmburana Is Bourbon’s Hottest Barrel Finish. Is the Trend Already Over?2024-07-26 · Quoted expert
- Robb Report SingaporeWhiskey distillers are putting wood in their bourbon. Here is why2022-11-18 · Brand feature with founder statement
- The Spirits BusinessInfuse Spirits appoints CEO2023-04-21 · Industry news with founder quote
- Barleycorn DrinksCASK-STRENGTH! Here’s The Lowdown On High Proof Whiskey2023-05-25 · Quoted expert and brand coverage
Brand coverage, reviews & awards
- Whisky MagazineWhisky Magazine Awards 2023 America results revealed2023-02-10 · Official brand award results
- Whisky AdvocateBroken Barrel Isle of Peat American Blended Whiskey, 55%Summer 2020 · Product review
- DrinkhackerReview: Mainland Rum – California and Louisiana2025-06-23 · Product review with founder context
- Breaking BourbonBroken Barrel Americana2023-02-23 · Product review
- The Tasting PanelBlue Reviews: Broken Barrel Whiskey Co. Cask Strength Kentucky Straight Bourbon WhiskeyMay/June 2022 · Product review · Magazine PDF
- InsideHookThe Best New Whiskeys to Drink This January2024-01-02 · Product recommendation/review

