Distiller Notes
Metallica wanted to create a new-to-world whiskey that stood out from the rest and they needed to find the perfect Master Distiller for the collaboration. Dave Pickerell was a world-renowned, legendary distiller that had cut his own path in the world of beverage alcohol. A master in the art of traditional whiskey distilling and a pioneer in new ways that continually pushed the limits of the status quo.
Dave saw an opportunity to push the limits even further – a blend of straight whiskeys with a really cool finishing process. By carefully selecting a unique blend of the finest bourbons and ryes from North America, he brought a multitude of flavors together, finished them in black brandy casks, and then kicked it up a notch by using a proprietary BLACK NOISE™ sonic-enhancement process that used Metallica’s music to extract even more flavor from the barrel! The result was a super smooth whiskey with a character of its own.
After Dave’s passing, Master Distiller & Blender Rob Dietrich joined the team. As the guardian of Dave’s legacy, Rob oversees the sourcing, blending and cask finishing of the original recipe.
Capturing a broad range in one category, American Whiskey refers to any spirit made in America by distilling a mash of fermented grains—typically corn, wheat, rye or barley. American Whiskey must be distilled to no more than 95% alcohol and bottled at 40% or higher. In order to be labeled a straight Whiskey, it also must be aged in white oak barrels for a minimum of two years and not contain any added colors or flavors.