Can a bourbon over 160 proof actually taste good—or will it just blow up your palate?
n this episode of Your Bourbon Journey, Wayne and Rebecca tackle two insane, rare “Hazmat” bottles from Silk Velvet Whiskey that debuted at the 2026 BBQ & Barrels festival in Owensboro, KY.
We are tasting and comparing the Silk Velvet 150 Proof “Extreme Hazmat” (Barrel 43) alongside the ultra-rare 161 Proof “Ultra Hazmat” (Barrel 35). With only 10 bottles of the 161 proof ever released via a lucky raffle win, this is officially the highest-proof whiskey we have ever reviewed on the channel!
Distilled under legendary distiller Jacob Call for Hargis Spirits LLC and bottled by Western Kentucky Distilling Co., these 7-year-old high-proof heavyweights feature a 75% Corn, 21% Rye, and 4% Malted Barley mash bill aged in heavy Char #4 barrels.
We dive deep into a fresh-pour, true first impression of both bottles. We’ll breakdown the surprising confectionery sugar, dark brown sugar, and maple notes on the nose, look at the insanely heavy legs, and find out if these explosive expressions are actually “smooth as silk” or if they finish with pure black pepper and heavy barrel oak. Plus, we share the wild story of why the distillery had to give out extra corks just to keep these bottles from exploding!
If you love high-proof bourbon, rare whiskey hunting, and honest tasting reviews, don’t forget to hit that SUBSCRIBE button, drop a comment with your favorite hazmat whiskey, and always drink responsibly!
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Silk Velvet Whiskey Single Barrel (Hazmats)
- Classification: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
- Company: Hargis Spirits LLC
- Bottled By: Western Kentucky Distilling Co. (Distilled under Jacob Call)
- Mash Bill: 75% Corn, 21% Rye, 4% Malted Barley
- Age: 7 Years (Char #4)
- Barrel & Proof: Barrel 43 = 150 (Extreme Hazmat); Barrel 35 = 161 (Ultra Hazmat)
- Released: May 2026 (Debuted at BBQ & Barrels)
- Purchased: May 9, 2026, at BBQ & Barrels in Owensboro, KY. 150 Proof ($99.99) & 161 Proof ($229)
🚨REMEMBER TO ALWAYS DRINK RESPONSIBLY🚨
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NOTE: The spirits in this review were purchased by us. We were not compensated by the spirit producer for this review. This is simply our opinion based on what we tasted on this day. Please drink responsibly.
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