Los Angeles, CA based record label, METAL BLADE RECORDS, has collaborated with the hardworking and incredible team over at RARE CHARACTER WHISKEY COMPANY to release its very own branded bourbon whiskey.
Distilled in Indiana and aged in Kentucky, METAL BLADE’s VTO – STRAIGHT BOURBON WHISKEY is a popular mashbill that we all know and love. Originating from Indiana, VTO’s unique aging process in Kelvin Char 4 barrels within the bluegrass state exposes them to a wide range of temperature swings and humidity. This meticulous aging process results in a deep, dark, and rich bourbon with a complex flavor profile, featuring notes of vintage cherry cola and tobacco.
ORDER HERE!
Upon sniffing the glass, you’re greeted with a delightful aroma of cherry syrup, dense oak, sarsaparilla, vanilla cream, baking spice, and subtle notes of butterscotch.
Across your palate, you’ll find similar notes to those on your nose, ranging from root beer to cream soda, and even cherry vanilla cola. These notes are complemented by nuances of butterscotch, baking spice, and tobacco.
This barrel code offers a medium-long finish that reminds you of its cola bomb nature. It features caramel, butterscotch, vanilla, and light baking spice flavors in the middle, followed by dry leather, tobacco, and aged oak notes at the end.
BARREL NO: VTO-020
PROOF: 123.78
AGE: 9 YR 7 MO
ALC/VOL: 61.89%
Get your hands on your own bottle HERE!
About Rare Character Whiskey Company
Rare Character Whiskey is a purveyor of fine American whiskey, specializing in unique selections tailored to each customer and partner. Through close relationships with leading distillers across the country, Rare Character has exclusive access to expressions never before released to the public.
Whether it’s through historic brand revivals such as Brook Hill, ultra premium and limited bottlings like Pride of Anderson County and Old Cassidy, or the fan favorite collectibles like The Single Barrel Series and The Exceptional Series, Rare Character Whiskey has made a name for ourselves as providers of fine American whiskeys fit for any occasion. Our dedication to innovation and evolution is driven by a deep respect and love for exceptional bourbons and ryes.
About Metal Blade Records:
Founded upon owner Brian Slagel‘s enduring drive to find great bands and get their music out to as many people as possible, since 1982 Metal Blade has brought wave after wave of powerful, innovative, and often genre-defining music to the ever-hungry metal masses. It is this ethos that has seen Metal Blade build up a stunning and diverse catalog, weather the various storms facing any independent label, and in an age of declining record sales boast the most successful years of its existence as it celebrates its fourth decade.
Metal Blade Records launched Metallica, Slayer, Armored Saint, Fates Warning, GWAR, Cannibal Corpse, Amon Amarth, Whitechapel, The Black Dahlia Murder, Cattle Decapitation, and dozens more genre giants, shaping four decades and counting of hard rock, metal, and extreme music culture. Brian Slagel worked as a record store clerk when he founded Metal Blade in 1982, reserving a spot for a young Lars Ulrich on his Metal Massacre compilation series. Metal Blade grew from humble beginnings in Los Angeles to become an international powerhouse, selling millions of albums while remaining fiercely independent. In 2017, Slayer‘s Kerry King inducted the label into the Hall of Heavy Metal History. Slagel‘s For the Sake of Heaviness: The History of Metal Blade Records arrived the same year.
In 2022 Metal Blade Records celebrated its 40th Anniversary by way of two live shows in Las Vegas – one featuring Killswitch Engage and another featuring Sacred Reich. In addition to these two packed live shows/parties, the label reissued its first release, the compilation album Metal Massacre, plus specially branded 40th Anniversary small batch vodka and rum, and a West Coast style IPA beer. Brian Slagel also saw the release of his second book, Swing of the Blade: More Stories from Metal Blade Records that was released on May 9th and was met with rave reviews from fans and press alike. One fan on Good Reads called the book “a sentimental journey through Brian’s metal origin-story recollections from his deep and wide perspective as founder of Metal Blade that I enjoyed very much” while MetalTalk.net wrote that “Swing Of The Blade is an endearing, honest, and enjoyable journey into the deeper world of Brian Slagel, the main man behind the legendary Metal Blade Records…this is very much Brian in his own words, recounting tales from the early days of Metal Blade through to a brief post-pandemic epilogue, where he expresses his regret that the book hasn’t coincided with the 40th anniversary of the label.” To round out the celebration, Brian Slagel opened up the label’s collection of heavy metal memorabilia to fans in Las Vegas, NV, marking the opening of the official Metal Blade Records Museum that is open every Saturday.
The celebrating rolled over into 2023 and in October AXS TV picked up and premiered the Denise Korycki documentary of Metal Massacre: The Story Behind the Legendary Album. Packed with all-star interviews, rare photos, the film tells the story of the groundbreaking 1982 Metal Massacre vinyl compilation-a sonic celebration of the burgeoning Los Angeles Metal scene, which helped launch the careers of iconic acts Metallica and Ratt, and ultimately led to the birth of the legendary independent record label Metal Blade Records. The film boasts priceless commentary and anecdotes from Metal Blade founder Brian Slagel and his friend and collaborator John Kornarens, two metalheads with a dream who made Metal Massacre a reality; as well as Metallica members Lars Ulrich and James Hetfield; Ratt frontman Stephen Pearcy; and Black N’ Blue singer Jamie St. James, among many others.
In 2024, Metal Blade Records and Pantheon Media launched the “100 Songs That Define Heavy Metal” Podcast to the excitement of metalheads everywhere. The successful podcast, which is loved by fans, industry, and artists alike, is hosted by Brian Slagel, CEO of Metal Blade Records. Each episode of the series will spotlight one of the most defining songs in metal, blending artist interviews, expert analysis, and behind-the-scenes insights. Listeners are taken on a deep dive into the production, cultural impact, and legacy of each track, with insights from prominent voices like music historian Martin Popoff and producer Jay Ruston.
The podcast features exclusive appearances from musicians who either influenced or were influenced by these legendary tracks, ensuring fans a unique, all-encompassing exploration of metal music. From Metallica and Slayer to Cannibal Corpse and Alice Cooper, “100 Songs That Define Heavy Metal” covers the songs that have defined generations, blending narrative storytelling with in-depth analyses. This podcast also serves as a tribute to the fans whose passion fuels the genre and keeps it alive for future generations.
“100 Songs That Define Heavy Metal” is now available on all major podcast platforms, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Amazon Music.
Find Rare Character Whiskey Company Online:
https://www.rarecharacterwhiskey.com
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https://www.facebook.com/rarecharacterwhiskey
Find Metal Blade Online:
Official Website | Official Bandcamp | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube
Spotify | BlueSky | Twitter | Threads | TikTok | Museum
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