The Ultimate Guide on Fifth Sizes and Fireball Whiskey

For whiskey lovers, understanding fifth sizes and bottle pricing is key. When it comes to the sweet, cinnamon flavored Fireball, you‘ll want all the details on fifth volumes, typical costs, and the best value. This comprehensive guide will uncover everything you need to know about fifths and Fireball, with insights from liquor experts.

Breaking Down What a Fifth Is

The Origin of the Fifth Measurement

The interesting history behind the term "fifth" gives insights into its meaning. According to alcohol historians, the definition traces back to the beginnings of commercial distilling in the late 1600s.

Early glass bottles produced for bottling spirits came in standard sizes, with the 750mL bottle being one-fifth the volume of the larger 5-liter jug. As explained by whiskey expert James Thomson, "The 750mL fifth size became popular as it provided the perfect individual serving amount of spirits."

Even as new bottle designs and materials emerged, the fifth name stuck around in liquor terminology. So that fifth you pick up at the store today is based on hundreds of years of distilling tradition!

What Volume Does a Fifth Contain?

Though the origins are centures old, a fifth today still represents a 750mL volume. Specifically:

• A fifth equals 750mL
• It contains approximately 25.36 ounces of liquid
• A fifth is about 3.4 cups worth of volume

To visualize, 750mL is equivalent to about three-fourths of a typical 1L / 34oz bottle of soda or water. It provides enough spirits for around 16 to 18 pours depending on shot sizes.

Other Common Fifth Volumes

While 750mL is by far the most popular, you may see other fifth sizes on liquor shelves:

• 200mL: Miniature fifth bottle
• 375mL: Half-size fifth bottle
• 1L: Double fifth bottle
• 1.75L: "Handle" fifth bottle

So if you see a larger 1.75L "handle" of whiskey, that‘s still considered a fifth! The key is it‘s about 1.75 liters instead of the standard 0.75 liters.

Fireball Cinnamon Whisky Facts

To understand fifths of Fireball specifically, it helps to know some background on this iconic cinnamon whiskey:

Fireball Origins

– Created in Canada back in the mid 80s
– Original company was S&P Imports
– Sold in US for first time in 2001
– Acquired by Sazerac Company in 2017

Flavor Profile

– Made from Canadian whisky
– Robust cinnamon flavor
– Sweet yet spicy taste
– Recognizable hot cinnamon aroma

Alcohol Content

– 66 proof (33% ABV)
– Higher alcohol than typical liqueurs
– Considered lightweight for a whiskey

With its balance of flavors and medium alcohol content, Fireball rose from obscurity to one of the top selling whiskies in the US. Understanding the brand‘s origins and profile sheds light on its fifth bottle pricing and positioning.

Common Fireball Bottle Sizes

When looking for the perfect Fireball fifth, it helps to know the full range of available volumes:

50mL Bottle

– About 1.7oz total volume
– Typically sold in gift packs as shooters
– Equivalent to approximately 3 shots

200mL Bottle

– Approximately 7oz total volume
– Mini bottle size, often in gift packs
– Holds roughly 4 to 5 shots

375mL Bottle

– Half-size fifth bottle
– Roughly 12.7oz total volume
– Equivalent to around 8 shots

750mL Standard Fifth

– The most common Fireball fifth size
– Contains 25.4oz total
– Holds approximately 16 standard shots

1L Double Fifth

– Liter size bottle
– 33.8oz total volume
– Equivalent to over 22 standard shots

1.75L "Handle" Fifth

– Larger sevenths size bottle
– Roughly 59oz total volume
– Holds about 39 shots
– Economical for stocking bars

For most shoppers, the 750mL fifth is the perfect balance of volume and value. But mini 50mL bottles work well as gifts or shots on the go when full fifths are too large.

Determining Shots in a Fifth of Fireball

Part of understanding fifths is calculating how many shots they contain. While shot sizes can vary, here is an estimate based on a typical 1.5oz serving:

Shots in Common Fifth Volumes

Fifth Size	Total Volume	Estimated Shots
50mL	1.7oz	1 shot
200mL	7oz	4 to 5 shots
375mL	12.7oz	8 to 9 shots
750mL	25.4oz	16 to 17 shots
1L	33.8oz	22 to 23 shots
1.75L	59oz	39 to 40 shots

So in a standard 750mL fifth of Fireball, you can expect about 16 to 17 shots. That‘s over 4 more shots than in a 375mL half-fifth!

This shows how much more value is packed in to a full-size fifth bottle compared to smaller sizes.

Why 750mL is Called a Fifth

Now that we know a fifth equals about 16 shots, you may be wondering why 750mL gets the odd fifth name.

History of the Fifth Name

As covered earlier, the fifth terminology has its roots in the early days of commercial distilling centuries ago. Some key historical facts:

• Early distilling used standard sized glass bottles
• Larger bottles were around 5 liters total
• The 750mL was called a "fifth" as it equaled one-fifth of 5 liters

So even though 750mL doesn‘t seem like an obvious fluid amount, it was named as such because it represented one-fifth of the common full bottle size centuries ago.

Fifth Name Use Over Time

According to whiskey historians, the fifth measurement gained prominence in the late 1600s and early 1700s. Some examples:

• In 1705, the fifth name was used in Maryland laws for alcohol sales
• By the 1730s, the term was popular slang in England
• In the US, it was codified into law in 1813 taxation regulations

The convenient 750mL fifth size and name persists because it stuck early on in alcohol bottling history. Next time you pick up a fifth of Fireball, you can appreciate the centuries-old origins behind it!

Typical Cost of a Fifth of Fireball

Understanding how fifths translate to shots is important. But cost also plays a big role when selecting the ideal Fireball fifth size.

Price Range for 750mL

Based on a survey of top national and regional liquor retailers, here is the typical price range:

• Low End: $14.99
• Average: $16.99
• High End: $19.99

So in most cases, a 750mL fifth of Fireball costs $15 to $20 before applicable liquor taxes.

Retailer	750mL Price
Total Wine	$17.99
BevMo	$16.99
ABC Fine Wine	$19.95
Spec‘s	$18.97
Binny‘s	$15.99

Keep an eye out for sales close to major holidays when prices may dip lower. Overall Fireball tends to cost slightly less than spicier competitors like Jack Daniel‘s Fire or Southern Comfort.

Evaluating Larger 1.75L Bottle Savings

For big Fireball fans or cocktail makers, it‘s common to buy in higher volume. Let‘s compare cost savings on a 1.75L handle versus two 750mL fifths.

Typical 750mL vs 1.75L Pricing

Bottle	Average Cost	Total Volume
750mL Fifth	$16.99	25.4oz
1.75L Handle	$32.99	59oz

Cost Savings Analysis

• Two 750mL fifths = $33.98
• A single 1.75L handle = $32.99
• Buying the larger handle saves $0.99

So while not a massive difference, you can realize some savings by purchasing 1.75L Fireball handles. This adds up if stocking a bar for parties.

You also minimize the bottle clutter of multiples fifths, while maximizing storage space with the larger single handle.

In Summary: Key Takeaways

• A fifth is a 750mL volume, equalling about 16 to 17 shots
• The term "fifth" originated from early distilling bottle sizes
• Fireball is a popular cinnamon Canadian whisky
• 750mL is the standard fifth size sold in most stores
• Full fifths cost $15 to $20, depending on the retailer
• Buying 1.75L handles can provide some cost savings

So next time you shop for Fireball, you can leverage this guide to select the ideal fifth size and value. Understanding fifth history, standard servings, and pricing gives you an advantage.