Pine | Vanilla custard | Passion fruit | Some heat

Sweet oak | Barrel char | Pine bark | Rich, deep wood | Chewy

Spicy heat develops | Caramel sweetness | Caramel corn | Seasoned oak | Vanilla custard | Long

As covered in a previous article, The Allure of Hazmat Whiskey, there are whiskeys so high in proof that they are banned from being brought onto a plane by the FAA before flying due to the fact that they’re considered a highly flammable hazardous material. These 140+ proof rarities coincidentally became known as “Hazmat” whiskeys, and are often highly sought after.

Mile High Spirits, a distillery located in Denver, Colorado, is a distillery that doesn’t take itself too seriously so it is not surprising to see them include the term “Hazmat Proof” right on the whiskey’s label. The first thing you will notice with this bourbon is its unusually dark color. The second is its unique taste. The whiskey has the typical pine flavor notes Mile High Spirits’ bourbons often have, which integrates well with vanilla custard and passion fruit on the nose, followed by sweet oak, barrel char, and deep, rich wood on the palate. An expected degree of spice heat emerges on the finish, but it’s contrasted by sweeter notes of caramel, caramel popcorn, vanilla custard, and a touch of seasoned oak.

This hazmat proof whiskey from Mile High Spirits is a really chewy whiskey, and likely due to its high proof and deep flavor profile has a very long finish. The pine notes found predominantly in the nose and palate won’t be for everyone, but for those looking for a unique tasting bourbon from a non-Kentucky distillery that has really developed its own style, Fireside Single Barrel Hazmat Proof really delivers.

The bottle in review comes from barrel 17e15.4a.8.