Metallica Master Distiller & Blender Rob Dietrich “I Have My Dream Job Within My Dream Job”
Blackened Master Distiller & Blender Rob Dietrich joins me to talk about the machine that is Metallica, off the stage with their American Whiskey and Cigars.
What’s it like to run Metallica’s Blackened brand? Rob tells me all about it, as well as the tasting experience and education classes he does at all the shows. He tells me about what the “Black Noise” process entails. That is so cool!
As of this recording, the new 72 Seasons batch is out, which Rob explains. They had to keep the music under wraps in the making of this batch since they started the process before the album came out. “We figured out a system to make it work, to where we were pretty confident that the record wouldn’t leak.”
How did Metallica come up with their M81 cigars? Rob explained that to me as well. The seeds for that started many years ago. “James (Hetfield) absolutely loves smoking cigars.” Him and James kept a journal to let the cigar company know what they liked and went from there. They’re pretty tight between hunting, cigars and BBQing with the rock legend.
“That’s what I pride myself on.” was how he answered the question of how intense this job is. He compared it to working on old hotrods, you have to tweak and keep them running at the top level. He talked about some collaborations he’s done, and some he has coming up.
“I have my dream job within my dream job. I get to make whiskey with Metallica” Yeah, that doesn’t suck. As far as getting the job, that’s a GREAT story! I’m sure Rob has told that story a million times, but it’s worth hearing.
Check out our conversation below…..
https://blackenedwhiskey.com/products/m81-cigars/
-Meltdown-
Flashback to Metallica at Comerica Park in 2017