The
Speakeasy
December 2022
Barrel proof stories straight from the
source.
The Whiskey Network Interview - John Petrucci
John Petrucci connects to our meeting and is in great spirits for a man shredding his way across the country. He’s on his first-ever solo headlining tour and is showcasing material from both of his records, “Terminal Velocity” and “Suspended Animation”. Additionally, it will be the first time that he will share the stage with Mike Portnoy on drums in over a decade. Rounding out the trio is Dave LaRue on bass. It is a dream team of powerhouse players playing to packed houses full of fans who take in the true gravity of what is happening. It’s been a long time in the making, and now it’s a reality. By all reports, it’s a show of otherworldly proportions.
Two weeks later, it’s a crisp evening in Orange County, CA, and the Anaheim House of Blues is buzzing with anticipation for this stop on tour. Finally, the house lights go down. John Petrucci steps onto the stage, and the opening to the song “Terminal Velocity” begins to coalesce. The trio fully launches into the tune; John steps into his proverbial office and gets to work. The song is effervescent and fills the room with tangible energy. It’s dynamic and positive: the crowd is entranced.
After the second song, John greets the elated audience. He introduces his bandmates, but for this crowd, neither needs an introduction. There is a moment where he acknowledges the gap in time sharing the stage with Mike Portnoy, and there is a true fondness that is present. Everyone in the room understands how important this is and shows their appreciation for being able to witness it. John muses, “Can you tell I’m having fun? I get to shred with my buddies, and you get to come to watch.” Then, it’s time to get back to work. They effortlessly drop right into “Jaws of Life'' and don’t ever look back.
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The band dexterously maneuvers their way through an 11-song set with all the favorites from his solo records and a few hidden gems that included excerpts of the James Bond theme and Freebird. With every note and every song, John, Mike, and Dave execute with relentless precision. As the music flows, they begin to toy with the fabric of the universe. The stage becomes a wide-open playground where they collectively flirt with the boundaries of reality. It is absolutely an otherworldly experience.
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John is a legend known around the world for his prowess with the guitar. Seeing the live show fully validates his status in the top echelon of modern rock guitarists. In addition, he’s also renowned for his taste in whiskey. In fact, he’s collaborated with Iron Smoke Distillery to bring Rock the Barrel and Rock the Barrel 2 to the whiskey world. Both expressions have been met with both critical and fan acclaim. When it comes down to it, he is brilliantly adept at making music and anything else he sets his mind to.
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Read on for the interview with John. It’s the second time he’s spent time with the Whiskey Network Magazine, and we are thrilled to be spending more time with this legendary member of the family.
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Mark Pruett – John, thanks for joining me today. I hope the tour is going well. Where are you this afternoon?
John Petrucci – Today, we are in Charleston, SC at the Charleston Music Hall. The shows so far have been great, and it’s been a fantastic tour so far.
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MP – That sounds great. You are on a whirlwind tour across the US, that is for sure.
I wanted to start off by talking about Iron Smoke Rock the Barrel 2. When you began to think about the second batch, did you bring key learnings from the first batch?
JP – First of all, I am in love with Iron Smoke. Between Tommy (Brunett), Drew (Wescott), Dave (Sklair), Jen (Brunett), and the rest of the crew, there are all incredible people. The facility in Fairport, NY, is nothing short of amazing. The concert venue, tasting room, and amazing bar are all great, and I relate to how they like to do things. It’s the real deal.
When we went up there for the first Rock the Barrel, I learned so much about how they make the whiskey, what to look for in tasting, and then coming up with the right blends. There was a learning curve because it was the first for both of us to collaborate on a signature barrel. Then it came down to the bottling, the merchandising, and even the virtual tastings that followed.
MP – Tommy is great. I have worked with him previously. We instantly bonded over music and whiskey.
JP – When I do things outside of music, it’s important that it is right. For example, in my beard oil with Captain Faucet, there were organic relationships and connections that formed because of common interests. In the case of Tommy, he’s a fellow guitarist, but we also connected over barbecue and bourbon. It is a natural fit.
MP – That makes sense. You want it done right.
To that end, can you tell me about how Rock the Barrel 2 came together?
JP – For Rock the Barrel 2, we wanted to do cask strength because I like cask strength bourbon. Drew, the Master Distiller, pulled samples from many different barrels. He used his experience with us from the first release to tailor his selections. We tasted all of them and compiled our tasting notes. From there, he came up with a blend that he was confident I would like.
I was totally blown away with what he came up with. To me, it is a testament to the relationship that we have formed and the communication process that we have. It demonstrated that we know each other on another level, and that is exactly what I am looking for in partnerships. I’m still amazed that he nailed it as well as he did.
MP – It’s a great whiskey and does not drink like it is 120 proof. It’s a nice expression that sits directly in the sweet spot of flavor and cask strength.
JP – Right?
Look, I’m not a whiskey maker, but I know what I like. The first expression was 93 proof, and that felt right because that’s the year my wife and I got married. It’s a meaningful number, and the whiskey turned out great – so has our marriage.
For the second expression, I could not be happier with how it turned out.
MP – In our November 2022 issue, I wrote a piece covering the Rock the Barrel 2 release party at the Iron Smoke Distillery in Fairport, NY. It sounded like an epic evening. I heard you gave away a signed barrel. Can you tell me more about it from your perspective?
JP – Hands down, Tommy and his crew understand how to throw a party and make it special. I’m on a solo tour right now with my wife’s band (Meanstreak) opening for us. Both bands and the crew came to the party. Of course, there were a lot of great fans who were there. There was an amazing Q&A session, and we were giving away small prizes all night long. Finally, it did come down to the big drawing for the signed barrel. It was a great evening, and the person who won it left happy.
MP – It did sound like an epic evening. Admittedly, I’m a little jealous. I’d love to have a signed barrel of your whiskey. Who wouldn’t?
JP – I know, right? I actually do have a barrel from both versions. I’m trying to think what I can do with them. The obvious idea would be to put a glass top on them and make them cocktail tables.
MP – There are some creative whiskey fans who are turning barrels into well-appointed cabinets. You should investigate that!
JP – That is a great idea.
MP – So, are there plans for Rock the Barrel 3?
JP – Yes, there are some initial plans. We don’t know the timing, but there is so much in my relationship with Iron Smoke that we can expand on. There are options we are evaluating as far as having it in stores and online. Also, there are considerations for expanding distribution outside of the US. With my fan base, there are incredible fan communities in South America, Europe, and Asia. We’d love to find a way to get them an opportunity to taste our whiskey. It’s just that good, and it would be a great way to acknowledge those loyal fans.
MP – Let’s dive into the music and the current tour. As you said, it is your first solo headlining tour, and you’ve brought along some great friends and family. The opening band, Meanstreak, features Rena Sands Petrucci and Marlene Portnoy, who are married to you and Mike, respectively. How has this experience been for you?
JP – Looking back, I have not toured as a solo act before because I’ve done the G3 tour with Joe Satriani many, many times. It’s just the first time I’ve booked a solo headline tour. On top of that, having Meanstreak open for us has been a great experience. It’s my wife with Mike Portnoy’s wife and the rest of the great ladies (Bettina France, Martens Myung, and Yael Rallis) coming out and kicking butt every night.
However, for me to do this with Mike (Portnoy) on drums and reconnect with him musically is a special moment for both of us. We haven’t played on stage together in 12 years. When you add Dave LaRue into the mix, it’s a lot to handle every night. These shows are a chance for me to do something that shows all sides of me as a guitar player. It’s been so much fun, and the shows are just insane. We are playing with reckless abandon, there are so many notes going by, and we are just smiling the entire time. On top of that, the audiences have been fantastic and are enjoying the shows. We’re not even halfway through the tour, and there is great energy and excitement.
MP – I am curious about the enduring chemistry between you, Mike, and Dave. It’s probably going to be a familiar situation where things click instantly.
JP – We’ve known each other for a long time. I’ve known Mike since I was 18 years old, in fact. There are so many unspoken things and inside jokes between us. Musically, we are so in sync that we can follow along when someone goes off on a tangent when we improvise. As I said, it’s been great fun so far.
MP – John, I am supremely impressed with your abilities as a guitar player. You are a legend, without question. However, in researching Meanstreak and watching videos of your wife on stage… I think you need to be worried. She is absolutely shredding! <laughs>
JP - <laughs> Yes, I know. She is definitely shredding every night. She and I both know this. I have to practice backstage every night. We all met 30 years ago, and we would watch them play. Next thing you know, we are married to a few of them, and that’s been great. When they were rehearsing at my house for this tour, they started playing, and it instantly came back to them. All the memories of them kicking ass came back right away.
MP – That all sounds amazing. I’m sure the vibe in the room is amazing.
Quickly, if I may ask... who are some of your musical influences?
JP – When I first heard Steve Morris on the guitar in the Dixie Dregs, it changed everything for me. I was young, getting into guitar playing and studying playing techniques. When I heard the (Dixie) Dregs, I knew I wanted to play like that. That’s what makes it so special to be playing with Dave.
Of course, I just must add that one of my favorite bands of all time is Rush.
MP – Rush is a great band, no argument from me. Thanks for sharing that.
On another note, I did check out the video for the song “Temple of Circadia”. It’s a fun video that is animated, and there are some great hidden easter eggs in it. Especially the nod to Iron Smoke Distillery on the barrels.
JP – Wayne Joyner directed it and put them all in there. I missed quite a few of them at first. In fact, we did a contest to see who could identify all of them. We will be announcing the winner very soon, in fact. I had to really dig in to find them all.
MP – It’s such a great interaction with fans when things like this happen. I need to go back and watch the video to identify a few more. Then I need to check for the winner so I can see what the full list is.
Finally, do you have plans for anything after this tour? What is next?
JP – After this tour, we will take a break for the holidays. Then in 2023, Dream Theater will be touring extensively. It will take up most of the year. The tour dates aren’t finalized yet, but they will be coming soon.
MP – When you get those tour dates, please share them, and we will make sure our audience sees them.
JP – Yes, stay tuned.
MP – I wanted to offer my thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts and insights with our audience. It’s been great to connect with you. There is one last segment, and I have a few last questions for you. Ready?
JP – Let’s do it.
The Mashbill: Whiskey Network Wants to Know Your Recipe
It is our tradition at the Whiskey Network to ask our guests the same final 5 questions, also known as the Mashbill.
MP – Question 1: What was the last whiskey, bourbon, or scotch in your glass?
JP – Elijah Craig, the regular run-of-the-mill-bottle.
MP – It’s not a bad choice at all. I usually have a bottle close at hand.
MP - Question 2: Do you prefer to drink your whiskey from a specific type of glass?
JP – I usually prefer a Glencairn, but it can depend on my mood. Sometimes it’s just nicer to have a rocks glass because it’s more stable if I’m on the couch.
MP – A practical answer. I agree, also.
MP – Question 3: Do you have a Unicorn bottle?
JP – Well, I’m almost embarrassed to say this, but I’ve never tasted Pappy (Van Winkle) after all these years.
MP – Well, someone in the Whiskey Network Magazine audience needs to fix that!
MP - Question 4: I'm looking for a gift for a friend. My budget is around $50 to $75. What would you recommend I buy?
JP – Of course, Rock the Barrel 2. It’s a little more than the budget but is worth it. Of course, you can’t go wrong with any of the great bottles that Iron Smoke Distillery offers. They are all great. If all else fails and you can locate a bottle, maybe try Blanton’s.
MP – Rock the Barrel 2 and Iron Smoke are both excellent choices.
MP - Question 5: What is your favorite toast?
JP – Tommy taught me this one: “Whiskey Up and Whiskey Down!” (Hold it up and drink it down).
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MP – That’s a great one! It’s a bucket list item for me to share a drink in person with him. Of course, it would level up several notches if you were in the room, too. Both of you are legends.
Once again, you have been generous with your time today. Break a leg tonight, and good luck on the rest of the tour.
JP – Thank you. I appreciate it.
John Petrucci is a veteran member of the Whiskey Network Magazine family. We are honored to have him back with us to discuss Rock the Barrel 2 and his current tour. He is a legendary talent with the guitar, and he applies the same principles of craftsmanship to the partnerships that he fosters in other areas. The team at Iron Smoke Distillery is a perfect fit to make a whiskey crafted from his tastes and guided by their expertise.
We’ll be sure to keep our audience posted on upcoming tour dates and future whiskey releases.