Anthrax has unveiled Anthrax XL, a signature 40th anniversary bourbon whiskey. The heavy metal rock band teamed up with Hillrock Estate Distillery for the release.
Anthrax XL is a Solera-aged, single-barrel bourbon finished for 40 days in a 20-year old Oloroso Sherry cask, providing the spirits “with balanced flavors and layers of complexity,” says a press release. Only one barrel of the whiskey has been produced, yielding 400 hand-numbered bottles at a cask strength of 115 proof. Each bottle features the band members’ signatures, and is encased in a black drawstring velvet gift bag emblazoned with the Anthrax XL logo.
Additionally, 40 extremley limited-edition numbered bottles will be available. Each of these releases is also housed in a black drawstring velvet gift bag, imprinted with the Anthrax XL logo, which is then packed in a customized box encased in a SilverFoil card stock wrap-around. Each limited edition item comes with a Golden Ticket, printed and debossed on gold foil-coated-card stock. The Golden Ticket awards the purchaser and a guest admission to an Anthrax headline concert in the purchaser’s area and includes a special in-person Meet & Greet with the band to take place during Anthrax’s 2022 U.S. tour.
“I had a great time up at Hillrock,” said bassist Frank Bello. “Everything there is homegrown, and all done by hand. Jeffrey, Cathy, Alex, and everyone who works there are all really nice people who care so much about what they do and how they do it. I’m very, very happy with our ‘Anthrax XL’ whiskey. It’s smooth, has a great aftertaste, and creates a great vibe. Right after my first taste, I wanted more.”
“I sampled eight different whiskeys from Hillrock’s rickhouse when I was there to pick one for our 40th-anniversary bottle,” added guitarist Scott Ian.
“It’s a difficult task in that they’re all so great, thieved from the barrel and into my glass. Every time I’ve had to choose a whiskey, I wait for the juice to tell me that, ‘it’s the one.’ This barrel spoke up loud and clear,” he added. “On the nose, there is an explosion of caramel, toffee, and butterscotch with hints of dried cherries and fresh herbs. The palette has a rich texture of bright red fruits, baking spices, and toasted almonds. I’m drooling just reading that back. Get yourself a bottle, you deserve it!”
Anthrax XL is priced at $155, while the extremely limited edition comes in at $350 per bottle. For more information, head over to Anthrax’s official website.
