World Whiskey Society Reloads its Wyatt Earp Series With a Blistering 160-Proof Hazmat Edition

(Photo: World Whiskey Society)

On Thursday, the World Whiskey Society expanded its catalog with another bottling paying homage to Old West lawman, Wyatt Earp. Unlike past releases in the series, which were bottled between 96 to 135 proof, the latest iteration touches down at an astounding 160 proof — the highest yet for the brand.

The limited-edition drop is distilled from a mashbill of 73% malted barley, 14.9% malted rye and 12.1% malted wheat before aging for 13 years. The WWS says it boasts heady aromas of dark raisins, ripe berries and layered oak that give way to a palate of warm spice and vanilla custard. On the finish, notes of charred smoke and a touch more dark fruit.

The honorific whiskey is now on sale through the brand’s website at $249.

“This latest release is truly pushing the boundaries of what whiskey can be,” CEO Alex Kogan remarked in a news release. “It is best suited for those who truly appreciate intricacy and intensity, and it embodies the spirit of Wyatt Earp – bold, unapologetic, and legendary.”

The WWS was conceived in 2020 with a mission to “scour the globe far and wide” in search of unique distillers. That search has already yielded some great results, with our personal favorite probably having to be its Doc Holliday 7-Year Bourbon (incidentally, also named a Wild West gunfighter).

Beyond its spirits, the brand has developed a reputation for elaborately-themed decanters that lean hard toward inspiration. In September, the brand uncorked a collaboration with non-profit Ducks Unlimited shaped like a mallard taking flight from a pond. We’d be remiss if we didn’t also mention its unicorn-shaped Kentucky Bourbon or its $15,000 Single Malt housed inside a sculpture halfway between a ribcage and a Bentley Limousine.

For its Wyatt Earp series, the WWS has taken a slightly more understated approach.

Each bottle is topped with a cork in the shape of a loaded revolver cylinder. On the label, a pair of pistols akin to what Earp himself may have wielded at the O.K. Corral. The brand hasn’t disclosed the number of bottles available in this latest batch — however, the site shows that 27 bottles are left as of writing on Nov. 14, 2024.

“Achieving balance at such a high proof is no easy task, but we wanted to create something that would truly push the limits of flavor,” master blender Chris Barton added. “We wanted to create a high-proof whiskey that didn’t sacrifice complexity or nuance. The Wyatt Earp Hazmat is bold, yet refined – much like its namesake.”