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This Vodka is Infused With Carolina Reapers — The Hottest Peppers on Earth

By Drew Prindle Published March 11, 2016

Swill is our bi-monthly column dedicated to liquor, wine, beer, and every other delicious dram that falls under the broader umbrella of booze. But it’s more than just tasting notes scribbled on a cocktail napkin — Swill is about getting outside of your comfort zone, trying new things, and exploring the big, wide world of libations. One week you might catch us halfway through a bottle of single-malt scotch, and the week after that we might be buzzing on some Ugandan moonshine made from bananas. This column is just one big boozy adventure, so grab yourself a glass and join us for another round.

product-carolina-reaper Charleston Distilling Co. must be staffed with a bunch of madmen. Don’t get me wrong; I love a good pepper-infused spirit just as much as the next guy — but it takes a special kind of crazy to willingly infuse your vodka with Carolina Reapers.

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If you’re not familiar, the Carolina Reaper currently holds the title as the World’s hottest chili pepper. First cultivated in the heart of South Carolina, the pepper boasts a whopping 2.2 million Scoville Heat Units — meaning it’s over 1,100 times as hot as your average jalapeño.

Related: The 5 Hottest Chili Peppers in the World

To make vodka with this nasty little bugger, Charleston Distilling starts with its fantastic King Charles vodka — a clean, crisp, and slightly peppery spirit made from farm-milled corn and rye. From there, they give the hooch a fresh infusion of raw Reapers, and then just let the concoction steep until it develops a good amount of heat.

I haven’t actually tried this stuff quite yet, but based on my experiences with vodka infused with far less-potent peppers, i’m willing to bet that this stuff will probably melt your face off. Yet, for some odd reason, I feel strangely compelled to give it a try.

Stay tuned for a tasting video. We’ll let you know how it goes.

Former Senior Editor, Features

Drew Prindle is an award-winning writer, editor, and storyteller who currently serves as Senior Features Editor for Digital…

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