They are transferred and finished in Madeira wine and Caribbean rum casks. Rye the Lightning is crafted from Kentucky straight rye whiskeys aged between five and eight years old, with Blackened Master Distiller & Blender Rob Dietrich hand selecting them. The title of the drink is inspired from Metallica’s six-time platinum selling album Ride the Lightning. The views, opinions, and tasting notes are 100% my own.The new Limited-Edition Kentucky Straight Rye is finished in Madeira and Rum Casks with the Propriety Black Noise Sonic-Enhancement Processīlackened American Whiskey has announced the release of Rye the Lightning, a brand-new limited edition double cask Kentucky straight rye whiskey. *Disclosure: The bottle for this whiskey review was graciously sent to me by the company without obligation. It slowly gets sweeter as it opens but never gets cloying with the rustic, whiskey-driven, spice and grain and oak notes keeping things in check. The cognac does edge out the whiskey a bit but it doesn’t overpower the bourbon notes which leaves the Blackened Whiskey feeling clean and mostly balanced. Aroma is sweet and the grapey brandy notes are readily apparent with the whiskey notes coming through on the lighter side Palate is a bit darker with more of the dark sweetness coming through along the lines of brown sugar and molasses with the whiskey notes kicking up heavily right before the finish Finish starts out as cognac and moves to whiskey then fades sweet and butterscotchy. Unique with well-balanced cognac and whiskey notes. Medium-long -> Cognac, corn whiskey and butterscotch.ĭecent balance, medium body and a soft touch that’s a tad oily.īlackened Whiskey Review: Overall and Score Plum, golden raisins, brown sugar, oak, vanilla, baking spice and a tad biscuity.īrown sugar, molasses, plum, golden raisins, brown sugar, oak, vanilla, baking spice and a tad biscuity.

Mash Bill: Mix of Bourbon and Rye whiskeyĬask: New Charred Oak, ex-Black Brandy Casks Predominantly bourbon, the sweetness of BLACKENED™ is paired perfectly with the savory spice offered by the rye.”ĭetails (price, mash bill, cask type, ABV, etc.)ĭistillers: Undisclosed (likely MGP for bourbon and Alberta for rye) Each of the whiskeys offer unique flavor that play a key role in the final spirit. “BLACKENED™ is a marriage of the finest bourbons & ryes, hand selected by Dave himself. But here we are in 2020 with both Rob and Blackened and I’m intensely interested to see where it goes.īlackened Whiskey Review: Details and Tasting Notes I wouldn’t have imagined Rob leaving Stranahan’s nor would I have seen Blackened as more than a one-off product.

Since Dave’s passing Rob Dietrich from Stranahan’s has taken over as “Master Distiller” and will be overseeing both the existing process and the creation of new whiskeys and releases as they come out.

Using their proprietary “sonic-enhancement” system, dubbed Black Noise, they use Metallica’s sound to pummel the whiskey “causing it to seep deeper into the barrel”. The spirit is a mix of bourbon and rye whiskeys that get finished in black brandy casks and that’s where Metallica enters the picture. He partnered with super-band Metallica to finish and market the whiskey. Today’s whiskey review, Blackened Whiskey, was pioneered by the late great Dave Pickerell of Maker’s Mark and Whistle Pig fame.

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