A little “back-story” on how BLACKENED came to be as follows:
BLACKENED began as a collaborative effort between Metallica & Master Distiller & Blender Dave Pickerell.
Sadly, Dave passed away in late 2018, shortly after the launch of BLACKENED.
In 2019, Master Distiller Rob Dietrich joined the team as Master Distiller & Blender taking the helm as Master Distiller & Blender in Dave’s passing and guardian of Dave’s legacy blend.
As unapologetic masters of the craft in their respective fields, they’ve built world-renowned legacies by carving out new spaces and bringing their singular, incendiary perspectives to everything they touch. Unlikely collaborators on the surface, their shared creative fire and dedication to craft make them anything but.
Together, they’ve created BLACKENED – an unconventional whiskey of uncompromising quality.
Rob serves as the guardian of Dave’s original recipe and brand steward moving into the future. He’s widely known for his ability to fuse traditional distilling methods with unique artistry.
Rob is well-regarded for his unique limited-release, cask finish expressions such as Snowflake, Sherry Cask, and more.
Rob is responsible for every aspect of production and is committed to maintaining the original recipe, artisanal methods, and handcrafted approach to creating world-class whiskey.
Rob Dietrich initially learned the art and science of distilling from legendary Jess Graber, whom he proudly calls his mentor. His passion for music was honed across 10 years spent in the music business with Bill Graham Presents as a freelance agent for various venues like Colorado’s Red Rocks Amphitheatre and The Fillmore in San Francisco and managing tours and festivals.
He is a veteran of the U.S. Army’s 10th Mountain Division and served from 1992 to 1995.
His two tours in Somalia and relief operations in Haiti helped shape his life-affirming philosophy.