Ordinary whiskeys start at 80 proof, or 40% alcohol by volume (ABV). Whiskeys with the prestigious bottled in bond designation must have a proof of exactly 100, or 50% ABV.

But hazmat whiskey laughs in the face of those weakling whiskeys. Hazmat whiskey is bottled at a minimum proof of 140 – a 70% ABV. (I think just typing that made me drunk.)

The name “hazmat” comes from the fact that liquor with such high alcohol content is actually considered a hazardous material. Don’t try flying with it, even in your checked bag. FAA rules prohibit any liquor with an ABV of 70% or more because it’s highly flammable. 

Achieving hazmat strength isn’t easy for distillers. Sometimes, the whiskey needs to age longer. Hot, dry climates are ideal for getting high alcohol concentrations, as you want more water to evaporate than ethanol. 

Is it like drinking dragon’s breath?

When it comes to the actual experience of drinking hazmat whiskey, the consensus is mixed. 

The Gamecock Bourbon Society visited the Broad Branch Distillery in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, where they sampled a 144-proof whiskey. A reviewer reported that it didn’t go down any hotter than lower-proof varieties in the 115-proof range, but it had richer flavors. They compared it to a hotter-than-usual basket of wings that you keep eating because the flavor is so good. 

Meanwhile, others describe less-than-pleasant encounters with hazmats. One redditor reported that the one they sampled tasted like “hot, liquid, grass clippings,” while another described a Garrison Single-Barrel hazmat-strength whiskey as having “the lovely nose of paint varnish and acetone.”

How to drink hazmat whiskey

Let’s face it, though: There’s nothing magical that happens at 140 proof. Much of the appeal is about bragging rights. Because few drinkers have the liquid courage to try the stuff.

Unfortunately, getting your hands on hazmat whiskey isn’t easy. Due to the narrow appeal, the few distillers that produce it usually only do so in limited releases. And because the supply is so limited, those bottles often end up selling on the secondary market at a premium – as you can see from the average prices on this list of the top 10 hazmat bourbons.

But if you do get your hands on one of these super-high-proof spirits, here are some ways to drink it that (hopefully) won’t burn your esophagus:

• Drink it neat (but go slowly): You can drink hazmat whiskey neat, but don’t chug. Sip slowly, and start with around an ounce.

• Add water: There’s no shame in adding water to your hazmat beverage. In fact, one of the appeals is that you can control the dilution. Bourboneur suggests keeping eye droppers on hand. You could also cool things off with an ice cube.

• Use it in a cocktail: If you want a bold cocktail, you could add hazmat whiskey to an old-fashioned or a highball. Just remember, a little goes a long way. Go easy on that pour.