Crittenden's Cut Above Hazmat American Light Whiskey Review

About Crittenden Distillery

Okay, this one is going to be a little different.

I'd never heard of Crittenden Distillery before getting a pour of this at a bottle share, and honestly, they don't seem to have much of an online presence yet outside of Meta. That's not necessarily a bad thing. Sometimes word of mouth travels faster than searching for something you don't even know exists yet.

Since there wasn't much information available in one place, I did a little digging to see what I could find.

Crittenden Distillery is located in Kiln, Mississippi, along the Gulf Coast. Rather than sourcing whiskey from larger producers, the distillery makes its own spirit from grain to bottle. According to interviews with founder Matt Crittenden, every step—from mashing and fermentation to distillation, aging, and bottling—is handled in-house, using Mississippi-grown grain whenever possible.

Instead of chasing a traditional Kentucky bourbon profile, Crittenden has earned a reputation for experimenting with unique barrel finishes and regional flavors. Their annual Toasted Pecan releases have become local favorites, and many of their limited bottlings are produced in collaboration with the Mississippi whiskey community, particularly the Mississippi Sippers group.

While "researching" the distillery, one thing kept coming up: Crittenden isn't trying to be another Kentucky bourbon. They're focused on making their own whiskey, experimenting with creative finishes, and building a reputation one bottle at a time.

Whether that reputation is deserved...well, that's exactly what we're about to find out.

The Bottle

Classification: American Light Whiskey

Company: Crittenden Distillery

LLCDistillery: Crittenden Distillery

LLCRelease Date: April 2026

Proof: 157.05

Age: 6 Years

Mash Bill: Undisclosed

MSRP: $130

First Impression

The nose immediately announces the proof with a wave of ethanol, but it doesn't overpower the glass. As it settles, Concord grape and a roasted, nutty character begin to emerge, giving the whiskey more depth than the proof alone would suggest.

On the Palate

Peanut brittle coats the tongue first, followed by rich cherry cobbler and a surprising note of fennel. The high proof delivers an intensely full-bodied mouthfeel, with the sweetness and spice competing for attention from sip to sip.

The Last Sip

The finish shifts in a different direction, leaving behind floral bee pollen, a kick of cayenne, and dried apricot. Despite the hazmat proof, it remains surprisingly composed, with the warmth lingering long after the fruit and spice begin to fade.

Final Thoughts

This isn't going to be for everyone. If you're someone who enjoys American Light Whiskey or hazmat-proof releases, though, I think this bottle has something special to offer.

What surprised me most wasn't that it drank like 157 proof—because it absolutely does, sip after sip. It was that this bottle became a conversation starter. That's where I think the magic is. It's the kind of whiskey you pour for friends, pass around the table, and watch everyone's reaction unfold. Those are the bottles that create memories.

Is it something I'd reach for every night? Probably not. But I don't think that's what it was ever meant to be.

I also wouldn't go out of my way to chase this on the secondary market. On the other hand, if you find yourself near Kiln, Mississippi, around the time of their next release, I think Crittenden Distillery is worth the stop. They're doing something different, and after trying this bottle, I'm genuinely interested to see where they go from here.

Recommendation:

🟠 Borrow a Pour