BLACKENED is the core expression and the bottle the whole brand is built on. It began as a collaboration between Metallica and the late Dave Pickerell, one of the most respected master distillers of his generation, and his signature still appears on the label under the words re mastered by. The whiskey is a blend of straight bourbons and straight ryes sourced from several distilleries, married and then finished in black brandy casks, which is where the colour and much of the character come from. What makes it unusual is what happens during that finishing period. The casks are subjected to BLACK NOISE, the brand's 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 moving against the wood, increasing contact and accelerating the exchange between spirit and cask. Whether you find that convincing or not, the result is a whiskey with more colour and more wood influence than its stated strength would suggest. Expect caramel, vanilla and dried fruit on the nose with a brandy sweetness underneath, then a rounded palate of honey, baking spice and dark fruit with the rye providing pepper through the middle, closing warm and smooth. Bottled at 45 percent alcohol by volume, which is 90 proof, a step above the 80 proof standard and enough to carry the finish. Neat, over a large cube, or built into an Old Fashioned where the brandy cask sweetness does real work.
ABV / Proof
| ABV |
45% |
| Proof |
90 |
| Size |
750ml |
| Country |
United States |
| Producer |
Sweet Amber Distilling Co. |
| Category |
Blend of Straight Whiskeys |
| Expression |
BLACKENED American Whiskey |
| Finish |
Black brandy casks |
| Process |
BLACK NOISE sonic enhancement during finishing |
| Created By |
Dave Pickerell, in collaboration with Metallica |
Tasting Notes
Color: Deep amber with a warm copper cast.
Nose: Caramel and vanilla lead, with dried fruit and a brandy sweetness underneath.
Palate: Rounded and full. Honey and dark fruit carry baking spice, with rye pepper building through the middle over toasted oak.
Finish: Warm and smooth, closing on vanilla, spice and lingering brandy cask sweetness.
FAQ
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: What are black brandy casks?
A: Casks that previously held brandy, used here for the finishing period. They contribute the colour and much of the dark fruit sweetness.
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: What proof is it?
A: 90 proof, which is 45 percent alcohol by volume.
Q: Where can I buy BLACKENED American Whiskey online?
A: Available here at Liquor On Broadway while stock lasts, with fast insured shipping nationwide.
