The super-premium whiskey collaboration from Master Distiller Dave Pickerell and Metallica. A blend of hand-selected, well-aged North American bourbon & rye whiskeys, uniquely finished in black brandy casks and the earth-shattering music of Metallica.

Using our proprietary BLACK NOISE finishing process, each batch of whiskey is blasted with its very own Metallica playlist, curated by the band themselves. The low-frequency sound waves force the whiskey to penetrate deeper into the barrel, extracting more caramel, honey and vanilla flavors from the wood. The result is a magnificently balanced whiskey, robust in flavor and ideal for sipping neat, on the rocks, or in a classic whiskey cocktail.

TASTING NOTES

Burnt caramel, oak & honey on the nose, with honey, cinnamon, allspice, dark fruit, clove and mint filling the palate. The finish is long and smooth, slightly creamy with hints of butterscotch taffy, maple and honey.

BLACKENED x Willett Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey was curated with an in-house marriage of Kentucky high rye and low rye recipes that were hand-selected by both Rob and Drew from Willett Distillery’s Family Estate Selection. The high rye whiskey offers spicier, more robust notes like fresh-cut hay and walnut, while the low rye features a slightly sweeter, earthier taste, such as cinnamon, mint and honey. Drew and Rob naturally gravitated towards these two recipes for a balanced flavor, smoothed out by the whiskey’s collective age statements and cask finishing. The oldest whiskey features an age statement of 8 years, while the average age of the bottling is 6 ½ years.

The whiskies are then married together and finished in Madeira Casks for up to 14 weeks, imparting subtle fruity notes, honey overtones and hints of raspberry. During that time, the whiskey undergoes the proprietary BLACK NOISE™ sonic enhancement process that uses the low hertz frequencies from Metallica’s music to vibrate the barrels, causing a greater interaction between the whiskey and the wood, forcing the liquid further into the barrel and extracting more flavor and color.

For the first release in the series, Rob Dietrich and Willett Distillery’s own Master Distiller, Drew Kulsveen, teamed up to create the BLACKENED X Willett Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey Finished in Madeira Casks.

TASTING NOTES

Sweet-simmered rhubarb and brown sugar butter, corn husk, vanilla bean, cigar box and ripe fig on the nose. A mouth-warming symmetry of buttery caramel & earthy mint on the palate, with a degree of raspberry sweetness from the Madeira cask-finish, balancing with the rustic notes of fresh cut hay from the high rye and rolling into a white pepper, cinnamon butter & walnut finish.

A Special release born by the joint venture of Metallica, and late Master Distiller Dave Pickerell dedicated for bourdon lovers

The super-premium whiskey collaboration from Master Distiller Dave Pickerell and Metallica. A blend of hand-selected, well-aged North American bourbon & rye whiskeys, uniquely finished in black brandy casks and the earth-shattering music of Metallica.

Using our proprietary BLACK NOISE™ finishing process, each batch of whiskey is blasted with its very own Metallica playlist, curated by the band themselves. The low-frequency sound waves force the whiskey to penetrate deeper into the barrel, extracting more caramel, honey and vanilla flavors from the wood. The result is a magnificently balanced whiskey, robust in flavor and ideal for sipping neat, on the rocks, or in a classic whiskey cocktail.

TASTING NOTES

Burnt caramel, oak & honey on the nose, with honey, cinnamon, allspice, dark fruit, clove and mint filling the palate. The finish is long and smooth, slightly creamy with hints of butterscotch taffy, maple and honey.

The BLACKENED American Whiskey velvet bag gift pack makes gift-giving easy! Complete with a 750ml of the award-winning, #1 Super-premium American Blend Whiskey, a collectible velvet drawstring bag, and a customizable hang tag gift card.

Master Distiller & Blender Rob Dietrich wanted to release a rye that demonstrates his evolution on his path as a whiskey maker. One that has depth, but still sessionable, approachable and most importantly, enjoyable to drink. Designed for rye whiskey enthusiasts while establishing this particular rye recipe to uniquely stand apart from the rye whiskey mainstream. The name for this release is aptly dubbed RYE THE LIGHTNING™ because the playlist used in the BLACK NOISE sonic-enhancement process is Ride the Lightning. But Rob Dietrich and Metallica didn’t want to just use the original version — they wanted to amp it up a notch. They chose a playlist consisting solely of the Ride The Lightning portion of Metallica’s June 2012 Orion Music + More festival setlist — the one and only time the band has ever played the album live in its entirety, albeit in reverse track order from the original album.

A Limited Edition Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey, Double Cask Finished in Madeira and Rum Casks

Crafted from Kentucky straight rye whiskeys aged between 5-8 years and hand-selected by BLACKENED Master Distiller & Blender Rob Dietrich.

TASTING NOTES

The double cask finishing results in notes of dried fig, hay, pinewood, pear, and rum cake on the nose, and on the palate, clover honey, mint, corn husk, sugar cane, walnut, and cinnamon.

45% ABV | 90 PROOF

THE STORY

The “Masters of Whiskey Series” was born from the core tenet of BLACKENED American Whiskey and Metallica…collaboration. This series combines the strengths of Master Distiller and Blender Rob Dietrich and renowned whiskey makers to re-imagine craft whiskey and create more complex expressions. Each of these limited edition whiskies are finished to their own unique playlist which is blasted to the barrels using BLACKENED’s proprietary BLACK NOISE sonic enhancement process.
The inspiration for the collaboration came from BLACKENED’s late Master Distiller and whiskey luminary, Dave Pickerell who was a close friend of Wes Henderson. Representing several generations of Kentucky distilling provenance, Henderson was inducted into the Kentucky bourbon hall of fame, joining his father, Lincoln Henderson, as one of the few father/son inductees in the history of the industry.

DESCRIPTION

The BLACKENED Master Blender Exclusive Batch 112 is Master Distiller & Blender Rob Dietrich’s signature BLACKENED release! A super-premium blend of Rob’s carefully selected straight bourbons and ryes with an average of 8+ years, finished in black brandy casks. This batch features Rob’s own curated Metallica playlist used in the proprietary BLACK NOISE sonic-enhancement process. Oh…and it’s cask strength!

TASTING NOTES

Burnt caramel, oak and honey on the nose, with honey, cinnamon, allspice, dark fruit, clove and mint filling the palate. The finish is long and smooth, slightly creamy with hints of butterscotch taffy, maple and honey.

ACCOLADES: 91 Points / Whisky Advocate 2021

REMASTERED IN CELEBRATION OF METALLICA’S 12th STUDIO ALBUM, 72 SEASONS.

BLACKENED Whiskey celebrates Metallica’s highly acclaimed new album with the Limited Edition 72 Seasons Batch using the new album in the sonic-enhancement process. This limited edition bottle highlights elements inspired by the album including a striking yellow capsule with the signature Metallica M, and the 72 Seasons logo prominently displayed on the front of the bottle.

BLACKENED is an award-winning whiskey that is a blend of the finest straight bourbon & rye whiskeys and uniquely finished and sonically- enhanced in brandy casks, using the BLACK NOISE process to extract more flavor from the wood.

TASTING NOTES

Nose: Burnt caramel, oak & honey

Palate: Honey, cinnamon, allspice, dark fruit, clove & mint

Finish: Long and smooth, slightly creamy with hints of butterscotch taffy, maple & honey

In the world of fine spirits, few names evoke as much reverence and excitement as Blackened X and Rabbit Hole Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey. These two renowned distilleries have come together to create a truly exceptional whiskey that captivates the senses and exemplifies the artistry of American distillation.

Blackened X, often celebrated for its distinctive aging process and innovative approach to whiskey-making, has garnered a devoted following since its inception. Utilizing the unique "sonic aging" technique, the whiskey is exposed to low-frequency sound waves during the maturation process, enhancing the interaction between the spirit and the wood of the barrels. This method creates a flavor profile that's rich, complex, and utterly unique.

On the other hand, Rabbit Hole Distillery, located in the heart of bourbon country in Louisville, Kentucky, has gained a reputation for its commitment to crafting premium spirits. Their rye whiskey, in particular, has earned accolades for its meticulous production and dedication to preserving traditional techniques while pushing the boundaries of flavor.

When Blackened X and Rabbit Hole joined forces to create a Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey, it was a marriage of expertise and innovation. The result is a spirit that embodies the best of both worlds—a harmonious fusion of flavors and craftsmanship that sets a new standard for American rye whiskey.

What sets Blackened X Rabbit Hole Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey apart is its remarkable complexity. Upon the first sip, you'll be greeted by a symphony of flavors that dance across your palate. The spicy notes of rye mingle with the sweetness of caramel and vanilla, creating a balanced and inviting experience. The "sonic aging" technique used by Blackened X infuses the whiskey with subtle undertones of dried fruits and oak, offering a depth of character that is unparalleled.

The nose of this exceptional spirit is equally captivating. It's a sensory journey that begins with a gentle waft of warm spice and toasted oak, followed by hints of cinnamon, nutmeg, and dried apricots. As you explore its aromatic depths, you'll discover a delightful interplay of sweet and savory elements, inviting you to dive deeper into the glass.

The finish of Blackened X Rabbit Hole Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey is a crescendo of flavor that lingers on the palate, leaving you with a satisfying warmth and a desire for another sip. It's a testament to the skillful blending and aging process that both distilleries have perfected over the years.

The super-premium whiskey collaboration from Master Distiller Dave Pickerell and Metallica. A blend of hand-selected, well-aged North American bourbon & rye whiskeys, uniquely finished in black brandy casks and the earth-shattering music of Metallica.

Using our proprietary BLACK NOISE finishing process, each batch of whiskey is blasted with its very own Metallica playlist, curated by the band themselves. The low-frequency sound waves force the whiskey to penetrate deeper into the barrel, extracting more caramel, honey and vanilla flavors from the wood. The result is a magnificently balanced whiskey, robust in flavor and ideal for sipping neat, on the rocks, or in a classic whiskey cocktail.

TASTING NOTES

Burnt caramel, oak & honey on the nose, with honey, cinnamon, allspice, dark fruit, clove and mint filling the palate. The finish is long and smooth, slightly creamy with hints of butterscotch taffy, maple and honey.