Blackened American Whiskey 750ML

Blackened American Whiskey 750ML is a 90-proof (45% ABV) blend of straight bourbon and rye whiskeys finished in brandy casks, bottled at 750ml. Awarded a Double Gold Medal at the SIP Awards and Gold at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, it stands apart through its proprietary BLACK NOISE sonic-aging process, co-developed with Metallica and engineers at Meyer Sound.

Quick Facts: ABV: 45% (90 Proof)  |  Origin: Tennessee & Kentucky, USA  |  Style: Blended American Whiskey, Brandy Cask Finished  |  Bottler: Sweet Amber Distilling Co., Columbus, OH

Production & Heritage

Blackened was born from a collaboration between the late master distiller Dave Pickerell — renowned for his decades at Maker's Mark and numerous craft distillery projects — and the members of Metallica. Pickerell hand-selected a marriage of straight bourbon and rye whiskeys sourced from distilleries in Tennessee and Kentucky, then finished the blend in black brandy casks. What truly distinguishes this expression is the BLACK NOISE process: low-frequency sound waves generated from Metallica's music are channeled through the finishing barrels, causing the liquid to reverberate against the charred oak staves at an accelerated rate. Co-developed with acoustic engineers at Meyer Sound, this sonic enhancement is designed to intensify the extraction of flavor compounds from the wood during the finishing period.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Sweet vanilla and burnt caramel lead, followed by layers of honey, lemon cream, and spiced apricot. Deeper investigation reveals cracked corn, ginger, and a wisp of licorice.

Taste: The entry is sweet and well-textured, with honey and candied apple giving way to a mid-palate rush of cinnamon, allspice, and clove. Cooked plums and chocolate nuttiness develop toward the peak, while an unexpected apricot note threads throughout.

Finish: Long and smooth, with a slightly creamy texture carrying butterscotch taffy, maple, and lingering honey. The brandy cask influence shows in the finish's gentle fruit sweetness, which fades gradually into warm oak.

How to Drink Blackened

Neat or with a single large ice cube allows the brandy cask finish and layered spice character to unfold fully. A few drops of water can open up the apricot and vanilla notes without dulling the proof. For cocktails, Blackened works well in an Old Fashioned, where its inherent sweetness and spice reduce the need for added sugar; a Whiskey Sour, where the apricot and honey tones complement fresh citrus; and a Manhattan, where the brandy cask finish creates an unusually smooth interplay with sweet vermouth.

Best For

• Gifting a Metallica fan or music enthusiast who also appreciates whiskey
• Exploring brandy cask-finished American whiskeys beyond single-distillery offerings
• Hosting a tasting flight comparing finishing techniques — brandy cask versus port cask versus standard bourbon
• Adding a conversation-starting bottle to a home bar collection

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Blackened taste like? Blackened delivers a sweet, well-textured palate of honey, cinnamon, allspice, and candied apple, with an underlying apricot note from its brandy cask finish and a long, creamy butterscotch and maple finish.

How does Blackened compare to Angel's Envy? Both are blended or finished American whiskeys in a similar price tier, but they diverge in finishing vessel — Blackened uses brandy casks while Angel's Envy uses port wine barrels, giving the latter a more pronounced dark fruit and berry character. Blackened's BLACK NOISE sonic process and its blend of both bourbon and rye also create a spicier, more texturally complex profile.

Is Blackened good for sipping neat? Yes — at 90 proof it has enough structure to hold up neat without being overly hot, and the brandy cask finish provides a smooth, approachable sweetness that rewards slow sipping.

Where is Blackened made? Blackened is a blend of straight bourbon and rye whiskeys distilled in Tennessee and Kentucky, then finished and bottled by Sweet Amber Distilling Co. in Columbus, Ohio, where the BLACK NOISE sonic process is applied during the brandy cask finishing stage.

What foods pair well with Blackened? Smoked brisket or pulled pork complements the whiskey's caramel and oak character. Dark chocolate with sea salt mirrors the sweet-and-spice interplay. Grilled stone fruit like peaches echoes the apricot notes. Aged cheddar or Gruyère stands up to the proof while highlighting the butterscotch finish. Pecan pie aligns naturally with the maple and honey tones.

What sizes does Blackened come in? The standard expression is widely available in the 750ml bottle size.

Is Blackened worth the price? Blackened positions as a mid-premium American whiskey, and its combination of multi-state sourcing, brandy cask finishing, and the proprietary BLACK NOISE process delivers a level of complexity and novelty that justifies its place in the category alongside other finished whiskeys in its tier.

Why Blackened?

The BLACK NOISE process is not a gimmick — the low-frequency sound wave technology was engineered by Meyer Sound, a leader in professional audio, specifically to accelerate the interaction between spirit and wood. Combined with Dave Pickerell's careful selection of bourbon and rye stocks from Tennessee and Kentucky and the brandy cask finishing step, the result is a whiskey with genuine layered complexity that has earned a 90-point rating from Wine Enthusiast and multiple competition medals. For drinkers seeking an American whiskey that pushes beyond conventional bourbon finishing without sacrificing balance, Blackened delivers a distinctive and well-executed expression.