The makers of Fireball whiskey are being sued because some of their mini bottles don’t actually contain whiskey.

Anything you buy at a liquor store probably does.  But in states where gas stations and grocery stores can’t sell liquor, they’ve also been selling another version.  To get around the laws, they lowered the alcohol content and changed the label.

They look just like normal mini bottles, but instead of “Fireball Cinnamon Whisky,” the label says “Fireball Cinnamon,” and they only cost around $1.  The lawsuit claims they didn’t make it clear that it’s not the real stuff.  

Normal Fireball is 66 proof, or 33% alcohol.  The gas station version is a malt beverage with whiskey “flavoring” that’s only 33 proof, or 16.5% alcohol.

The label says it’s a, quote, “Malt Beverage with Natural Whisky & Other Flavors.”  The lawsuit claims it’s not clear that they mean whisky FLAVORS.  If they win, anyone who bought the mini bottles in 12 states could get money. 

Sources: Washington Post / Whiskey Raiders