As reported a few months back, Metallica have jumped on the spirits train, and today they officially unveiled Blackened, "a blend of bourbons, ryes, and whiskeys from all across North America," curated by distiller Dave Pickerell. The whiskey is, of course, named for the opening track from the band's 1988 opus …And Justice for All, which turns 30 this year, and sleekly bears a sound wave from the tune on its label.
In a statement published on Metallica's official website, Pickerell discusses how sound can actually affect the molecular makeup of the whiskey. His creation of the drink was influenced by an experience he had as a student and professor of chemistry at West Point United State Military Academy, home to the world's largest church organ. Recalls Pickerell, "The whole building would tremble, it would really shake your guts." Using this idea and joining forces with audio engineers from Meyer Sound to create a special subwoofer, low frequency sound waves taken from the low range of Metallica songs were amplified to wash over the whiskey as it aged in black brandy barrels, subtly altering the final taste and finish of the product.
A joint statement from the band about the new liquor states, "The ultimate goal is to make a whiskey that fits into the Metallica experience and sets itself apart from all the others. We want to show the world, and in this case especially the whiskey connoisseurs, how seriously we take this endeavor." The inaugural batch of 5,000 bottles, labeled 081 to signify to band's formative year, will be available in select stores, restaurants and bars in conjunction with Metallica's fall 2018 tour. The whiskey is also available online at thinkliquor.com and spiritedgifts.com, and apparel and hats emblazoned with the drink's logo are available via the official Metallica online store. The announcement follows up yesterday's big reveal of the group's signature watch line with Nixon.
Metallica will soon embark on tour from September 2nd through March 2019. A full list of dates with ticket and "enhanced experience" information can be found here. Watch the band's performance of "Blackened" from last July in Detroit below.
