The Cask Strength Limited Edition is BLACKENED with the brakes off. It starts where the core expression starts, as a blend of straight bourbons and straight ryes married together and finished in black brandy casks, with the signature of the late Dave Pickerell on the label under the words re mastered by. Pickerell created BLACKENED in collaboration with Metallica, and the finishing process is where the brand does something nobody else does. Throughout that period the casks are subjected to BLACK NOISE, a proprietary sonic enhancement process in which low hertz frequencies drawn from a Metallica playlist are pumped into the barrels. The theory is that sustained low frequency vibration keeps the liquid in constant motion against the wood, increasing contact and driving a more aggressive exchange between spirit and cask. Where the core bottling is then proofed down to 90, this one is not touched. Bottled undiluted at cask strength, everything the black brandy casks put into the whiskey arrives at full concentration: the dark fruit and oak that sit politely in the background of the standard release move to the front, the texture thickens considerably, and the rye spice that runs underneath comes through with real heat. Expect concentrated caramel, dried fruit and brandy sweetness on the nose, then a thick, warming palate of dark fruit, honey and baking spice with pepper building through the middle, closing long and powerful. Cask strength releases vary in alcohol content, so check the strength printed on the bottle. Neat, or with water added a few drops at a time.
ABV / Proof
| Strength |
Cask strength, bottled undiluted; alcohol content varies by release and is stated on the bottle |
| Size |
750ml |
| Country |
United States |
| Producer |
Sweet Amber Distilling Co. |
| Category |
Blend of Straight Whiskeys |
| Expression |
BLACKENED Cask Strength Limited Edition |
| Finish |
Black brandy casks |
| Process |
BLACK NOISE sonic enhancement during finishing |
| Created By |
Dave Pickerell, in collaboration with Metallica |
Tasting Notes
Color: Deep amber, noticeably darker than the standard bottling.
Nose: Concentrated caramel and dried fruit, with brandy sweetness and toasted oak underneath.
Palate: Thick and warming. Dark fruit and honey carry baking spice, with rye pepper building through the middle at full intensity.
Finish: Long and powerful, closing on oak, spice and lingering brandy cask sweetness.
FAQ
Q: What proof is it?
A: It is bottled at cask strength, undiluted, so the alcohol content varies between releases. The exact figure is printed on the bottle.
Q: How does it differ from standard BLACKENED?
A: Same blend of straight whiskeys and the same black brandy cask finish, but bottled undiluted rather than proofed down to 90. The result is considerably more concentrated, with a thicker texture and more assertive oak and dark fruit.
Q: What is BLACK NOISE?
A: The brand's proprietary sonic enhancement process, in which low hertz frequencies from a Metallica playlist are pumped into the finishing casks to keep the liquid moving against the wood.
Q: Is this a bourbon or a rye?
A: Neither on its own. The label states it is a blend of straight whiskeys, combining straight bourbon and straight rye.
Q: Who was Dave Pickerell?
A: A widely respected master distiller who created BLACKENED in collaboration with Metallica. He died in 2018, and his signature remains on the label.
Q: Where can I buy BLACKENED Cask Strength online?
A: Available here at Liquor On Broadway while stock lasts, with fast insured shipping nationwide.
