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'The Walking Dead': the whiskey. Of course, bourbon tie-in to zombie series has a bite


The latest brand to take a shot at the burgeoning whiskey market: The Walking Dead.

The Walking Dead Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, to be released in October, is a 94 proof whiskey with a suggested price of $34.99 for a 750-milliliter bottle.

A shot of the new whiskey may help July’s end of the popular “The Walking Dead” comic book series go down a little easier. The comic, written by Robert Kirkman, spawned the television series about to begin its 10th season Oct. 6.

Only 30,000 cases will be sold of the limited-edition whiskey, a collaboration between Skybound Entertainment, the company Kirkman founded with producer David Alpert, and global liquor giant Diageo.

The U.K.-based Diageo, which also produces Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal and Bulleit whiskies, last year teamed with HBO on a collection of Game of Thrones single malt scotches and a special Johnnie Walker Blended Scotch Whisky called The White Walker.

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American whiskey remains a growing segment of the $27.5 billion liquor market, which saw a 5.1% increase in supplier sales last year – the ninth straight year of growth –according to the Distilled Spirits Council. Whiskey increased 6.6% to $3.6 billion.

Among the big names recently joining the whiskey and spirits outpouring: musicians such as Bob Dylan and hard rockers Metallica, as well as actors including George Clooney and Ryan Reynolds.

Bourbon is an appropriate liquor for a Walking Dead tie-in. This whiskey is distilled, aged and bottled in Kentucky, where Kirkman was born and the comic was initially set. “It’s also very true to the roots and the spirit in what we do in ‘The Walking Dead’ and that very American, do-it-yourself, living-off-your-land approach,” Alpert said.

The whiskey bottle’s label is packed with inside references including markers of the story’s four factions – Survivors, Saviors, Hilltop or The Kingdom – and pictures a cork carrying a signature of authenticity from Rick Grimes, the character who starred in the comic and the TV series.

“Spirits of the Apocalypse” is also emblazoned on the label, a suggestion there could be additional spirits in the future.

The idea of a “Walking Dead” whiskey arose after the teams at Skybound and Diageo bonded as they created cocktails and swag for “Walking Dead” events over several years.

After many tastings, they arrived at an appropriate whiskey. “It’s got a great taste, which people should expect, and a bite, which connects with what ‘The Walking Dead’ is all about,” said Dave McNulty, senior director of culture, entertainment and partnerships at Diageo. 

Tasting notes for the whiskey describe it as having “notes of rye and the essence of vanilla,” along with “a soft caramel nose and aroma of orchard fruit … smooth, spicy and finishes with a light nuttiness, lingering sweetness and pleasant warmth.”

As for its quality, “it had to be great” and “stand up in that (“Walking Dead”) pantheon,” said Alpert, a self-professed “giant bourbon fan.”

Next week, the whiskey will be showcased in an event at the New York Comic Con and will begin becoming available at spirits retailers nationwide, as well as online delivery sites including Reserve Bar and Drizly. 

For more information, go the TheWalkingDeadBourbon.com; for cocktail recipes such as Maggie’s Lemonade and Old Man Rick, follow @thewalkingdead on social media.

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Fans already invest in “Walking Dead” ventures beyond the comic book and TV series. “People are going to conventions, going on cruises, spending time in video games, watching the show, and reading the books,” Alpert said. “People really want do want to incorporate this into their life. We feel like creates an opportunity to reach a different area we haven’t really touched on before.”

The rest of the “Walking Dead” universe continues to evolve. In addition to the original TV series and “Fear the Walking Dead,” with its fifth season finale landing Sunday, a second spinoff is in the works, as is a series of movies starring Andrew Lincoln as Rick Grimes, the first scheduled for theaters next year.

While Alpert had no official update on the films – “We are actively and energetically working on it, and I might have just come from a meeting on it.” – he did suggest The Walking Dead universe had many stories left to unearth.

“People love Rick and they want to follow Rick in his journey. But they also other characters,” Alpert said. “The greatest part about it is, as long as can come up with interesting dynamics and situations, we feel like ‘The Walking Dead’ can continue for as long as we keep coming up with those ideas.”

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Follow USA TODAY reporter Mike Snider on Twitter: @MikeSnider.



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