Blackened Rye the Lightning (2022 Release)

This offers many of the flavors of Willett 4 Year Rye with the addition of Seagrass fruitiness. At 90 proof, it drinks with an elegance that actually may be marred at a higher proof. Pretty nose, harmonious flavors and a fleeting, albeit, enjoyable finish; this is a "celebrity" whiskey whose distillers and blenders have apparently put considerable thought into making this an attractive, enticing entry into the finished rye market.

Aroma - rum is definitely noticeable… brown sugar, bold vanilla, peach, slight hint of leather, and tobacco leaf. Raisins also come to mind. Interesting and unique. Taste - follows the nose which is great…Brown sugar, vanilla frosting… again picking up an interesting fruit profile in peaches and figs. The rye profile is very subtle.. I have to reach for it. Overall - Is this juice or is this whiskey? It is stupid just how incredibly smooth this is and it has a great balance of flavors. At 90 proof the finish is non-existent and the viscosity is water-like (to be expected)… BUT……. It is honestly too light and smooth.. and barely resembles a whiskey. Really need to boost the proof on this to be honest. I brought this bottle to a bday party and it was crushed mostly by non-whiskey drinkers lol…There is absolutely zero burn

Neck pour. It’s slick, caramelly, and the rum finish really stands out. Not much in the way of rye spices. A little bitter finish.

The Blackened Double Cask Finished Rye is beautifully balanced, easy to drink neat at 90 proof and flavorful! Finished in Madiera and Rum casks the nose is sweet like a rum cake and palate is honey, a bit of spice, cinnamon, and walnut.

Tonight’s selection arrived on Sunday. It is not yet available in our market. I had to preorder this one. It is the newest release from Metallica’s Bkackened Whiskey line. It is a double cask rye appropriately titled Rye The Lightning. It is delicious. Smooth with no rye burn. Sweet and caramel. Finished in Madeira and Rum casks. Delicious. Going to have to use this one sparingly. At least until it makes it to this side of the US. Come on guys. It says born in Bardstown on the bottle, you cough Ave at least released it here first instead of Cali. @metallica @blackenedamericanwhiskey #ryethelightning

Was a big fan of the Blackened x Willet and even bigger fan of this expression due to the value. I’m reminded of the 4 year Willet rye myself. Extremely sippable,

Green apple, sweet corn on the nose Whoa. Not sweet at all! Very mellow, seems like the Willett peanut and toast base, from the single pot still, more green apple, some grape and fig, rum on the back end, then fades (to black) honey and more toast. Well balanced, roller coaster of flavor with slight heat in the finish that reveals some cinnamon, then some dry oak. Very well done for a double cask finish. Cheers!