Is Fireball Whiskey?

The makers of Fireball Cinnamon are in hot water.

According to a lawsuit, the mislabeling of Fireball Cinnamon Whisky has misled consumers to believe they are drinking whiskey.

The Sazerac Company labels Fireball Cinnamon as a “whisky”. When in fact, it is a malt-based or wine-based product.

Related: Is Jack Daniels Whiskey?

Is Fireball Whiskey?

Fireball is labeled as a Cinnamon Whisky. But it is technically a liquor.

The legal minimum alcohol required for whiskey is 80 proof.

According to the maker, Fireball Cinnamon is a malt-based 33 proof ‘product’, whereas Fireball Whisky is a whisky-based 66 proof ‘product’.

Whiskey is a distilled spirit made from grains and aged in oak barrels.

What is Whiskey?

Whiskey is a type of alcoholic beverage that is made from fermented grain mash and aged in wooden barrels.

Whiskey Grains

The grain used can vary, with the most common being barley, corn, rye, and wheat.

Distillation

Whiskey is made through a distillation process in which the fermented grain mash is distilled multiple times to concentrate the alcohol.

Aging

Whiskey is aged in wooden barrels, which can be made from oak, maple, or other types of wood, to develop its flavor and color.

The length of aging, the type of barrel used, and the composition of the grain mash all play a role in determining the final flavor and character of the whiskey.

Types of Whiskey

There are several different types of whiskey, including bourbon, Scotch, Irish whiskey, and Tennessee whiskey, each of which has its own unique set of production methods, ingredients, and flavor profiles.

Related: 14 Summer Whiskey Cocktail

Whiskey or Whisky: What’s the Difference?

Whiskey and whisky are spellings used for the same distilled spirit made from fermented grains.

Whiskey is the spelling used for spirits made in the United States and Ireland, while whisky is used for those made in Scotland, Canada, and Japan.

The difference lies in the country of origin.

Is Fireball a spirit?

Fireball is not a spirit or a whiskey.

A ‘spirit’ is usually 35-40% alcohol by volume (ABV) and should not contain added sugar.

Fireball Cinnamon is 33% ABV and contains added sweeteners.

Is Fireball liquor?

Fireball is technically a liquor.

Although liquor usually refers to a distilled spirit like whiskey, it can sometimes broadly refer to fermented alcoholic beverages.

Can I tour the Fireball distillery?

Unlike the Maker’s Mark distillery and other famous whiskey distilleries, the public cannot tour the Fireball “distillery”.

There are no images of the Fireball distillery online. And there is also no mention of their distillery on the Fireball website.

Who Makes Fireball?

Fireball is produced by the Sazerac Company.

Sazerac Company, Inc is a privately held American company headquartered New Orleans, Louisiana. Its principal office in Louisville, Kentucky.

The Sazerac Company is owned by billionaire William Goldring and his family. The company is responsible for the production, distribution, and marketing of Fireball.

The company was founded in 1850 and is one of the largest producers of alcoholic beverages in the United States.

Fireball Ingredients

Fireball contains real cinnamon and other ingredients such as corn syrup, artificial flavorings, and caramel color.

Does Fireball contain propylene glycol?

The updated Fireball formula no longer uses propylene glycol.

Fireball Cinnamon vs Fireball Whisky

According to the official fireballwhisky.com website, “Fireball Cinnamon is a malt-based 33 proof product, whereas Fireball Whisky is a whisky-based 66 proof product.”

Fireball Cinnamon

Fireball Cinnamon is referred to as a malt-based or wine-based alcoholic beverage “product” on the fireballwhisky.com website.

Fireball Cinnamon ‘malt-based’ is 33 proof, while Fireball Cinnamon ‘wine-based’ is 42 proof.

Fireball Cinnamon is widely available for purchase at shopping locations that sell beer and wine.

Fireball Whisky

Fireball Whisky is 66 proof and not malt-based or wine-based but rather a ‘whisky-based’ product according to the maker’s website. Real whiskey is at least 80 proof.

Fireball Whisky is available in restaurants, bars, and liquor stores across the U.S.

Labeling

The two key differences between the Fireball Cinnamon label and the Fireball Whisky label are:

Fireball ‘Cinnamon Whisky’ is the whisky-based product
Fireball ‘Cinnamon’ (without ‘Whisky’) is either the malt-based or wine-based product

Fireball Whisky Price

Fireball is more affordable than real whiskey. The price of Fireball averages $14 for 750ml (as of 2023).

Fireball FAQs

Where is Fireball most popular?

Fireball Cinnamon is most popular in the United States, where it has become one of the best-selling liquors in the country. It is widely available in bars, liquor stores, and other retail outlets, and is particularly popular among young adults.

How popular is Fireball?

Fireball Cinnamon is one of the most popular alcoholic beverages in the world. Fireball has consistently ranked as one of the top-selling liquors in the United States and other countries, particularly in the shot and cocktail categories.

Why is Fireball so spicy?

Fireball Cinnamon is spicy due to the addition of real cinnamon. The makers of Fireball add cinnamon extract and oil to the blend, which gives it its characteristic sweet and spicy flavor profile.

Does Fireball contain nuts?

Fireball may be produced in a facility with milk, peanuts, tree nuts, and wheat. Speak with your physician prior to consumption.

Where is Fireball Made?

Fireball is made in the Sazerac Company’s production facilities in the United States.