THE WEIRDEST WHISKEY WE HAVE EVER COME ACROSS?!

There is so much effort that goes into making whisk(e)y, the subtleties of flavour and the craftsmanship in ageing whiskies until they are perfect to drink adds to a culture of refined appreciation. In a world where single malt whisky, bourbon, and blended whisky reigns supreme, the notion of a flavoured whisky intrigues a lot of whisky fans. From whisky finished in stout barrels, to whisky infused with mushrooms, there really is something for everyone. However, every once in a while, a distillery breaks away from the pack and ventures into the realm of the bizarre! Back in 2016, Seattle’s Westland Distillery released ‘Inferno’, a whisky made with hot sauce!

The Birth of Inferno

Inferno wasn’t just any old whisky; it completely pushed the boundaries of what whisky can be. After FOUR YEARS of maturing in a barrel that once held Tabasco sauce, the whisky was released to the world, and cask strength.

Matt Hofmann, co-founder of Westland Distillery, summed up what the whisky was like, “Inferno is our mortal sin. We have succumbed to a vile revenge, and now impose it upon all of you. Forgive us.”

A Tasting Experience Unlike Any Other

From the first whiff, Inferno sets itself apart from everyone. The nose supposedly carried spiciness from the get go. Some notes of malt and honey came through, but the heat from the Tabasco dwarfed everything. As many brave souls discovered, the first sip was the real challenge.

One taster’s summarise their experience, “Oh, dear God! Intense spices, butyric, and nasty…like slamming a shot of straight Tabasco sauce! The finish is way too ****ing long, and had me going ‘Please, God, make it stop…make it stop!’”

Thankfully this was a limited edition bottling, we did hear however that it was perfect in cooking dishes given its heat and alcohol percentage. 

What’s the weirdest whisky you have ever tried?