Talk:Bourbon whiskey

"Barrels" versus "containers"
Someone just changed the description of aging from referring to "barrels" to referring to "containers" – and rightly so, it appears. The law does seem to say "containers", not "barrels", although I think the containers are barrels in actual practice. The only mention of barrels in the law is something allowing labels to refer to government supervision of the production process in specific cases. I've never heard of someone using a non-barrel container to age bourbon (although I'm no expert). Does anyone have insight over why the law says "containers" rather than "barrels"? —BarrelProof (talk) 16:35, 29 September 2016 (UTC)
 * Conceivably the container could have a different shape, so the law is broadly worded to include all of the possibilities. At least that's my guess. That said, no one uses anything but barrels, because barrels are a superior container for transportation of liquids. Hence oil barrels. oknazevad (talk) 16:46, 29 September 2016 (UTC)

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Charcoal Filtering
Many bourbons use a charcoal filtering process similar (or identical) to that used for Tennessee and this ought be mentioned and described.

Drsruli (talk) 23:38, 23 March 2022 (UTC)
 * No, they're not identical. The Lincoln County process is a filtering of the new-make spirit before barrel aging, while the charcoal filtering mentioned on some bourbon bottles is after aging as part of the bottling process. That filtering is simply removing unwanted solids and fatty eaters that can cloud a drink. It's not the same thing. oknazevad (talk) 02:28, 25 March 2022 (UTC)

There are different kinds of filtering, as you say. Sometimes, it is the same thing.

HOWEVER, this could (and should) be something discussed in the article.

Drsruli (talk) 02:30, 28 March 2022 (UTC)

'Hazmat' proof bourbon
So, are the reverters of this content saying that 'hazmat' proof bourbon is not a thing? Google searches of "hazmat proof bourbon" turn up quite a bit of responses on the subject. I grant you it would be nice to have stronger citations for it. But to pretend it doesn't exist seems odd. Stefen Towers among the rest!  Gab • Gruntwerk 03:47, 29 April 2024 (UTC)


 * Inviting, . Stefen Towers among the rest!   Gab • Gruntwerk 03:54, 29 April 2024 (UTC)
 * Per Bing.com Microsoft Copilot an AI writer:

“Hazmat” bourbon refers to a niche category of whiskey known for its exceptionally high proof, often exceeding 140 proof (70% ABV). The term “hazmat” is derived from the fact that these whiskeys are considered highly flammable hazardous materials. In fact, they are banned from being brought onto airplanes by the FAA due to their volatile nature. These ultra-high proof bourbons are a rare breed and have become a sought-after subset of American whiskey.

The allure of hazmat whiskey lies in its extreme potency, attracting whiskey enthusiasts who appreciate intense flavors and robust character. However, it’s essential to note that this jet fuel-style whiskey isn’t for the uninitiated. Whiskey diehards are the primary group seeking out these high-proof gems1.

How does the proof get so high?


 * Initially, the whiskey entering the barrel must be high in proof, although there’s a limit (125 proof) set by TTB regulations.
 * As bourbon ages in the barrel, its proof levels change due to various factors, including temperature fluctuations. Barrels placed on lower floors of rickhouses tend to lose proof, while those on higher floors gain proof.
 * Some distilleries intentionally create ultra-high proof bourbons using specific barrel formats and aging climates. For instance, Kings County Distillery has released whiskeys that exceeded 140 proof, even reaching 177.4 proof in a 5-gallon barrel1.

The rise of barrel-proof whiskey has contributed to the popularity of hazmat bourbons. Two decades ago, releasing barrel-strength products was uncommon, but as the bourbon boom occurred, more companies sought to differentiate themselves. Single barrels, wine cask finishes, and barrel strength became sought-after features, challenging the traditional notion that American drinkers preferred whiskey in the 80-100 proof range1.

In summary, hazmat bourbon is a supercharged, high-proof whiskey that pushes the boundaries of intensity and flavor, appealing to those who crave bold experiences in their glass.
 * It's clearly a "thing." WP:Verifiability.  Neither WP:Truth nor WP:I don't like it would bar it.  I invited User:BarrelProof here.
 * 'Nuf said. 7&amp;6=thirteen (☎) 11:07, 29 April 2024 (UTC)


 * I'm fine with it. At first glance, the intial site looked spammy to me. That was my only objection, but I may have misread it. I'm ok with this going forward. Jauerbackdude?/dude. 13:08, 29 April 2024 (UTC)
 * Maybe there is only one labeled as such in your part of the world. Branding/labeling is not the only consideration.  It is a niche Bourbon type.  But the sources say otherwise.  WP:Verifiability should suffice.  7&amp;6=thirteen (☎) 16:42, 29 April 2024 (UTC)
 * What? Are replying to me? I'm not sure what your comment is trying to say. Jauerbackdude?/dude. 17:46, 29 April 2024 (UTC)
 * I didn't like the original source either. That's why I have tried to find a better one. I was surprised by how much it turned up in a Google search, thus its blip of an inclusion. Stefen Towers among the rest!   Gab • Gruntwerk 16:47, 29 April 2024 (UTC)
 * Large language models like Copilot are not reliable sources (see WP:RSPCHATGPT). As for the term itself, comes off like a marketing neologism that popped up out of nowhere (meaning some ad agency) and quickly got pushed out into churnalism. Im ray of any term in this field that can't show some use of more than a few years. oknazevad (talk) 19:27, 29 April 2024 (UTC)
 * The 'hazmat' term is showing up 5 or more years ago in my Google searches and it applies to multiple brands. From 2018: "SHARE WITH: Folks who enjoy an iconic barrel proof Bourbon and aren't afraid of whiskeys lovingly referred to as hazmat." Also, AI is less a concern than whether we have adequate sources for the term.  Stefen Towers among the rest!   Gab • Gruntwerk 20:23, 29 April 2024 (UTC)
 * Echoing others, calling it "hazmat bourbon" and defining it as a recognized category seems like a neologism used only in recent sources (earliest above in 2018) rather than something well established as a widely recognized term or category. It should be mentioned as only such a neologism. It would be nice to find some history about the federal regulation for air travel, as there is no mention of that regulation in the Bacardi 151 article. —⁠ ⁠BarrelProof (talk) 22:49, 29 April 2024 (UTC)
 * It is a neologism, no doubt, and I don't believe I have tried to leave an impression that it's anything but a relatively new term, but if it's well-covered in reliable sources over years, we include it. Stefen Towers among the rest!   Gab • Gruntwerk 22:39, 30 April 2024 (UTC)
 * I also wanted to note I just used 2018 as an example of how far back the term was being used definitionally, but it doesn't appear to be the earliest point. Here are 2016 blog links that provides a definition for the term 'hazmat'. Perhaps the article should say "mid-2010s".  Stefen Towers among the rest!   Gab • Gruntwerk 23:30, 30 April 2024 (UTC)