FAQs

  • Rob Dietrich — A.K.A. Whiskey Rob — is a master distiller and blender with over 19 years of experience crafting world-class, award-winning American whiskey. He is best known as the former master distiller for Stranahan’s Colorado Whiskey and the master blender of Blackened American Whiskey, Metallica's award-winning spirit. His cigar collaboration with James Hetfield of Metallica and Jonathan Drew of Drew Estate Cigars has proven to be a world-wide, award-winning favorite. Based in Denver, Colorado, Rob is also a three-tour U.S. Army combat veteran of the 10th Mountain Division and former professional rock-n-roll roadie. Read his full story →

  • Rob is a life-long Colorado resident, raised as a youth in Olathe, Colorado and now based in Denver, CO. His deep roots in the state informed his early career at Stranahan's Colorado Whiskey — one of the first craft distilleries in Colorado. Learn more about Rob's background →

  • Yes. Rob Dietrich has served as master distiller and blender for Blackened American Whiskey since June 2019, succeeding the legendary Dave Pickerell. He is responsible for all production, sourcing, blending, and finishing — including the Masters of Whiskey Series collaborations. See Rob's full career story →

  • Blackened American Whiskey is Metallica's award-winning whiskey brand, produced by Sweet Amber Distilling Co. It is a blend of bourbons, ryes, and whiskeys sourced from across North America and finished using the proprietary "Black Noise" sonic enhancement process — in which Metallica music is played at low frequencies against the aging barrels. Master distiller Rob Dietrich leads every aspect of production. Explore Blackened American Whiskey →

  • Yes — Rob has led Blackened to numerous top honors including Double Gold at the 2023 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, Gold at the 2024 John Barleycorn Awards (Rye the Lightning), Gold at the 2024 NY World Spirits Competition, Double Gold at the 2024 SIP Awards, and Double Platinum + Best in Show at the Ascot Awards (all for Blackened x Rabbit Hole). See the full awards list →

  • Blackened cigars is a collaboration between Rob Dietrich, Metallica frontman James Hetfield and Drew Estate cigar founder Jonathan Drew. Learn more about Blackened cigars →

  • Blackened Cigars is a unique collaboration between Rob Dietrich, Metallica frontman James Hetfield, and Jonathan Drew of Drew Estate Cigars. The line features two award-winning blends: the M81 Maduro to the Core and the S84 Shade to Black. Learn more at Drew Estate →

  • Rob's path to distilling started unexpectedly — a diesel motorcycle project he was working on connected him to the first head distiller of Stranahan's Colorado Whiskey. He joined Stranahan's in 2006, rose to master distiller in 2011, and spent 12 years mastering the craft before joining Blackened in 2019. Read the full origin story →

  • Before distilling, Rob served three tours with the U.S. Army's 10th Mountain Division (1992–1995), with deployments to Somalia and Haiti. After the military he spent nearly a decade as a professional rock-n-roll roadie — working stages at Red Rocks and The Fillmore, and even crewing a Metallica show at Lollapalooza in 1996. See Rob's full background →

  • Black Noise is the finishing process unique to Blackened Whiskey. Low-frequency sound waves generated by curated Metallica playlists are directed at the barrels during the cask-finishing phase, causing the liquid to vibrate and interact with the wood on a microscopic level, a unique process differentiated from standard aging.  Learn more about the process →

  • Yes. Rob is available for event bookings and regularly appears at whiskey festivals, tasting dinners, cigar events, and industry gatherings across the country.  See upcoming events →

  • Rob is available for whiskey educational tastings, brand activations, speaking engagements, and media appearances. Reach out directly through the contact form on his website. Get in touch →