BLACKTOOTH BEVERAGES
Read a Q&A with Rita Haney, Blacktooth Beverages CEO & widow of Dimebag Darrell
Q: How did Dimebag Darrell’s signature drink Blacktooth Grin gain so much popularity? Do you remember the first time he poured one for you?
RITA: I used to bartend back in the day…well shit, I guess I still bartend, ha, Booze teching is just another level, in a way! I’d drink 3 Legged Monkeys (whiskey, splash of coke, and 7up) and Darrell was about 7 n 7’s. I think I may have poured him one first before he poured me up… haha! In the early days, there wasn’t much they could get on the Pantera rider, and no club was going to splurge for a high dollar whiskey, not even Crown… Jack and Beam were just not to our liking, but we could get Seagram’s 7 for the same price.. so that became the OG. It had more of a burn and not as sweet as Crown, or as sour as the other’s. Later on, as the band grew the rider did as well and Crown was introduced. Over the years, Crown Tooths evolved into BlackTooths, either worked, and we dropped the 3 legs to just be cola… Dime adapted the name from Megadeth’s tune, “Sweating Bullets,” during their co-headline tour together. Dime was always most approachable and loved hanging with people in general.. he was always about sharing a damn good time too! Best host and best hospitality! All can be seen in the Pantera home videos. I believe that’s where it got it’s start on gaining popularity. When you hear BlackTooth, you think of the best damn party you attended…or are about to create!
Q: When did you come up with the idea to start Blacktooth Beverages and how did you start that process?
RITA: Darrell always wanted his own whiskey, we talked about it a lot together! I have handwritten notes and lists, with his ideas and drawings, BlackTooth was always part of those goals he wanted to reach. Several times, we tried reaching out to Seagrams, and even Crown, back in the day but they weren’t interested. I even had several distilleries ask if I wanted to pick out a barrel and they’d slap his name on it, but that just wouldn’t work. A lot of people do that today, and it works for them, but BlackTooth has a history and a story, it has a lot of years under it’s belt, and Dime’s fans would expect better from us! BlackTooth has to taste a certain way! I know this! I’ve been making them from day one and I continue to make and drink them to this day!
I like to think the pink beard up above had a hand in a chance meeting, between Wal, Jordan, and myself, at a music showcase, we sparked up a conversation over our love of music, family and good booze!
Q: Can you tell us about each of the different offerings that are available?
RITA: There’s a 7yr American Rye, and a 7yr. American Blended Whiskey, I insisted on this so that we could meet that special 33 price point, it was important to bring a good whiskey into that area for all the hard working budgeting fans out there! Both are so delicious! Then we have the RTD (Ready to Drink) cans! Unleaded for us sugar free zero fans, and Leaded for the real deal sugar fiends! And might I add, it’s still the lowest coming in at 19g! First thing we did, was sit down and discuss the quality of the whiskey… it had to be good to sport the man’s namesake, which is why the 7yr. was chosen. Then we spent the afternoon dialing in the whiskey and it’s flavor! Jordan, our master distiller, has a great palate! I made him some BlackTooth Grins and then we discussed smoothing out the flavor, and how I wanted this to land right in the middle of the two original blends, not too sweet but still have the right burn, the best of both worlds! That’s our core ingredient to a BlackToothGrin…the right tasting whiskey first! Then we spent another afternoon dialing in each of the cola flavors for the “Grin” products. It wasn’t as simple as just popping a can of coke and splashin’ it in there, we had to actually make our own! Which was a kick-ass experience! I didn’t know I knew my colas as well as I do… hahaha… lots of practice, I guess!
Q: What is it like being a female-owner/founder of a liquor brand; specifically, one that’s so impactful in the heavy metal music scene? Have there been any challenges, and if so, how did you overcome those? What is some advice you’d give other women hoping to advance in the liquor or metal music industry?
RITA: I guess I don’t really think of it that way. I always have Dime by my side! We are Team Dime! He drives me…and I’ll always know where I come from!
There are challenges to everything, or they wouldn’t be worth doing! He gave me the most amazing life while he was here and still does. I count my blessings everyday, he’s my person! I don’t second guess his ideas!
As far as advice… First and foremost, always find the beauty in the ugly! No matter the situation. If there’s something you love… go for it! The belief covers half the work right there, the rest is passion and common sense. Don’t let anyone tell you different!
Q: How do you feel Dimebag’s legacy lives on through the Blacktooth Beverage brand? What are some of the ways you have continued to help keep it alive through Blacktooth Beverages?
RITA: Dime was always about unity, whether it be brought around through music or good cocktails…he loved to pour ‘em up and Watch It Go! He was always about a damn good time! I think this whiskey represents his essence very well… That Getcha Pull attitude… enjoy life and have as much of a good time as can be had. Can’t go wrong with that outlook and a good cocktail to go along with it!
Q: What is your favorite drinking memory with Dimebag?
RITA: HaHa! I have too many and still not enough! DimeTime was the best time! Maybe one of my first “Drink it or Wear it” moments with him… nothing like the excitement of being out on the road, and filming from the pit.. where he’d balance down a shot to ya from the headstock of his guitar and yell at ya “Drink it or Wear it” you either drank it or he tossed it on ya and ya wore it… Hahaha… or when someone would pop their head in the dressing room and tell you “5 minutes to the deck” Dime would turn to me and say “Pour ‘em up!” As he would start to stretch, I’d start pouring up the final shots before the walk to stage! Those were some of the most incredible feelings for me. the excitement, the energy in the atmosphere, the fact that my face was about to be melted off… pure adrenaline!!!