Dark fruit | Black raspberry | Vanilla | Toffee | Surprisingly light

Plum | Dark cherry | Black raspberry | Baking spices | Pie crust | Vanilla custard | Abundantly sweet | Rich & approachable

Peppery spice | Cinnamon | Raspberry jam | Brown sugar | Short

Blackened began as a project between the metal band Metallica and the late renowned master distiller, blender, and chemical engineer, Dave Pickerell, who passed away just after the launch of Blackened in 2019. Former head distiller of Stranahan’s, Rob Dietrich, has since taken over the role as Blackened’s master distiller.

Blackened has been released in cask strength batches, but until recently each has been a limited edition offered only as retailer “selects” or in select markets. Beginning in May 2023, Blackened began releasing Cask Strength as a standard product, designated by sequential volume numbers.

Each batch, or volume, is intended to be unique, offering a different flavor profile and coming in at varying proofs. Volume 01 is a surprisingly light, vibrant, and easy drinking whiskey considering the fact that its cask strength. Dark fruit, vanilla custard, and brown sugar are most prominent, with a mixture of spices and other flavors that lean sweet and weave their way throughout the whiskey. The finish is somewhat abrupt, which is typically a negative, but somehow it works for this whiskey making it all the more drinkable. All in all it’s a very approachable whiskey that anyone would be hard pressed to dislike.