Metallica releases S&M2-inspired Blackened Whiskey

New batch features S&M playlist

Sweet Amber Distilling Co. and Metallica have released an S&M2-inspired batch of its Blackened American Whiskey featuring the Metallica & San Francisco Symphony S&M2 playlist. The Limited Edition S&M2 Batch 106, combines its award-winning blend of bourbons and ryes, finished in black brandy casks and complete with a collectible Squindo Blackened X S&M2 box.

“The first S&M shows in 1999 were such a pivotal part of Metallica’s evolution,” says guitarist Kirk Hammett. “We knew we had to mark their 20th anniversary on an even bigger scale, but without sacrificing any of the intimacy of those shows. The reaction has been incredible, to the shows and the album, and we’re thrilled to be able to bring those same S&M2 vibes to Blackened!”

The batch was created by using Sweet Amber Distilling Co’s proprietary Black Noise sonic-enhancement process to the Metallica & San Francisco Symphony S&M2 playlist. The S&M2 shows were filmed over two nights last September and released on multi-formats in August.

The Limited Edition S&M2 Cask Strength is available in a collectible box featuring the artwork of Squindo, known to Metallica fans worldwide. As a long time Metallica collaborator, Squindo’s artwork has become synonymous with some of the band’s most iconic events and merch. His S&M2 illustrations were the first to include Blackened in a Metallica show poster, so collaborating on this special package was the perfect fit. Bringing the infamous “Scary Guy” to life as the orchestra Maestro leading the charge of the barrels exemplifies the process in true Metallica style loved the world over.

The S&M2 edition of Blackened also marks the first time ever the brand is available in cast strength. Under the direction of Master Distiller & Blender Rob Dietrich, the cask strength expression features the same award-winning blend of bourbons and ryes as regular strength, but bottled at a higher proof. Blackened Cask Strength offers a more viscous mouthfeel and robust, high proof flavor profile and will be available in very select markets in Kentucky and Florida with future batches to be rolled out into next year.

The brand is also giving away a limited edition Blackened X S&M t-shirt through November 2020. Fans must be 21 to enter.

Earlier this year, Metallica commemorated Batch 100 with a box set containing two exclusive 12″ vinyl picture discs. The limited edition collectible set features a 750 ml bottle of Blackened with a Metallica playlist, selected by Blackened’s Master Distiller & Blender, Rob Dietrich, and used during the sonic enhancement process of Batch 100, on the two double sided LPs.

Blackened, a blend of North America’s finest bourbons and ryes, was launched by Metallica and the legendary Master Distiller Dave Pickerell with Batch 81 in 2018 to honor the year the band was founded. In June of 2019, Master Distiller & Blender Rob Dietrich joined the fold after the passing of Pickerell, overseeing the sourcing, blending and cask finishing of barrels for each batch.

Buddy Iahn
Buddy Iahn