If you’ve paid attention to trends in the whiskey world, you might be aware of the “hazmat” whiskey phenomenon. And while you might have seen a bottle on a shelf or noticed this unique whiskey term, you might not know what it means.
Before I get into the term itself, think about what calling something a “hazmat” whiskey might mean, and you’ll probably be right. Hazmat is a shortening of the phrase hazardous material. It’s used to reference any materials and substances (chemical, physical, or biological) that pose a threat to your health or environmental concern. It’s safe to “hazmat” whiskey is no joke. But what exactly is hazmat whiskey?
In my career of writing about alcohol (with an emphasis on whiskey), I’ve tried many bourbons, single malt Scotch whiskies, rye whiskeys, and other random whiskeys. I’ve had my fair share of high-proof whiskeys, but very few reached the ” hazmat ” level.
What is “hazmat” whiskey?
In the simplest terms, “hazmat” is a term used to describe whiskey that is bottled at an extremely high proof. While most whiskeys are 80-proof, and bottled-in-bond whiskeys are bottled at 100-proof, cask-strength whiskeys are usually between 110 and 130-proof. When you read phrases like cask strength and barrel proof, you should know that the whiskey was bottled without being proofed down by any water. It’s the same alcohol level as it was in the barrel itself.
This might lead you to one central question: Is there whiskey more potent than that?
Yes, these are “hazmat” whiskeys. This type of whiskey is bottled at an over-the-top proof of 140 (70% alcohol by volume) or more. Not only are they referred to as hazmat because of their high alcohol content, but also because of their perceived volatility. Don’t believe me? Just ask the FAA.
“Hazmat” whiskeys are considered “hazardous materials” because of their high alcohol content and, therefore, can’t be transported by air. If you find yourself away from home with a bottle of “hazmat” whiskey, be sure to give it away or drink it before you get on a flight home. You won’t be allowed to travel with it in your checked baggage.
Why is it so high in alcohol?
If you didn’t know it, your favorite whiskey doesn’t come out of the barrel with a mellow, easy-drinking 80-proof. The distillation and aging process yield a much higher proof. Your everyday bourbon, rye whiskey, and single malt Scotch whisky were proofed down by adding water to lower the overall alcohol content. Otherwise, all whiskey would be 100-proof and above.
But 100-proof and even 120-proof isn’t enough for hazmat whiskey. Distillers have to consciously craft them to be bottled at such ridiculous alcohol levels. Distillers create hazmat whiskeys by meticulously crafting a process with complete control over the distillation, maturation, and even aging conditions. These steps, along with not proofing their whiskey, result in the over-the-top, high-proof whiskey hazmat drinkers know and love.
What does it taste like?
As mentioned earlier, hazmat whiskey is at least 140-proof. To say that might impact the overall aroma and flavor is a major understatement. This will make for an intense, robust, and extremely potent whiskey.
Your hazmat whiskey will look, smell, and taste like whiskey. It’s not some magical, fire-y elixir from some fantastical land. It’s still whiskey—just extremely high-proof. If you crack open the bottle and simply pour it into a glass, you should be aware that it will have an alcohol burn (sometimes aggressively so), and the aroma will be a bit muted by ethanol scents.
If you drink it neat, you might have difficulty picking up any aromas or flavors. If you’ve ever taken a shot of Everclear, you might have a glimpse of what I’m talking about. Heat and dryness and not much else. This is especially true the higher proof your hazmat whiskey goes. But understand that your palate will eventually get used to the burn. You will be able to locate some aromas and flavors after you get used to the intensity of this whiskey. Just not as many as many drinkers would prefer.
If there ever was a whiskey to add a few splashes (or more) of water, it’s hazmat whiskey. To get the most out of this potent whiskey, you must open up the aromas and flavors with a healthy dose of water. This allows the drinker to proof down the whiskey to their liking. Add a few splashes and take a sip. Keep adding water until it fits your particular palate.
While all whiskey is different depending on the style, who made it, how long it was matured, and a variety of other reasons, there are a few aromas and flavors you can almost guarantee. You’ll be greeted with aromas like dried fruits, toasted vanilla beans, oak, and spices. The palate will have flavors like cocoa powder, vanilla, caramelized sugar, raisins, wintry spices, oak, and more.
