In a realm where celebrity spirits are commonplace, actor and avid gamer Matthew Lillard has ventured into uncharted territory with his latest creation – a bourbon straight from the fantastical realm of Dungeons & Dragons. Lillard, known for his roles in cult classics like "Ghoulies III," has conjured up a new addition to his Find Familiar Spirits lineup: Sandkheg’s Hide Bourbon.
Image credit: Sandkheg’s Hide
This isn’t Lillard's first foray into the world of spirits. Last year, he, along with screenwriter Justin Ware and Blue Run Spirits cofounder Tim Sparapani, unveiled Find Familiar Spirits with their inaugural bourbon, Quest’s End: Paladin. Since then, they've released two more iterations – Quest’s End Paladin +1 and Quest’s End Rogue. However, Sandkheg’s Hide promises to transport imbibers to a realm where bourbon meets fantasy.
Crafted as a "custom-blended small-batch bourbon," Sandkheg’s Hide's origins lie shrouded in mystery, sourced from an undisclosed distillery. The blend, curated by Quest’s End master blender Ale Ochoa, incorporates a base bourbon alongside bourbons finished in vermouth and sherry barrels. This combination yields a complex flavor profile, with hints of baked apple, oak, shortbread, and a medley of herbaceous and dried red fruit notes tantalizing the palate.
The name "Sandkheg’s Hide" might seem unfamiliar to those outside the realm of Critical Role, a sprawling fantasy universe inspired by Dungeons & Dragons. For the uninitiated, Critical Role encompasses various media, including web series, comics, podcasts, and an animated Amazon show, all set in the mythical world of Exandria. Sandkheg’s Hide finds its origins within the lore of Vox Machina, the protagonists of Campaign 1 in the Critical Role universe. In this fantastical setting, Sandkheg’s Hide is depicted as a potent libation brewed in the deserts of Marquet, using the acidic bile of the fearsome sandkheg – an eight-foot-tall insectoid creature.
True to its origins, Sandkheg’s Hide boasts packaging that immerses consumers in the realm of Exandria. Each bottle is adorned with intricate details, including a coin tied around the neck in a burlap bag, reminiscent of a traveler's treasure. Additionally, a "found" journal accompanies each bottle, recounting the storied history of the whiskey and featuring captivating artwork inspired by Critical Role.
Matthew Lillard expressed his pride in Sandkheg’s Hide, stating, “From the gorgeous ‘in-world’ Exandrian bottle design to the delicious whiskey blend to the incredible all-new Critical Role art and story in the journal, we’re insanely proud of what we’ve created.” With limited supplies available exclusively through the Quest’s End website, Seelbach’s, and a dedicated online portal, enthusiasts, affectionately referred to as "Critters," are urged to seize the opportunity before stocks vanish into the ether.
Sandkheg’s Hide isn’t merely a bourbon; it’s an invitation to embark on a journey into a realm where imagination knows no bounds, where each sip unlocks a portal to a world of magic and adventure.
