Whisky Names Explained: Horrorwood Reserve

Monday, 13 October 2025 at 15:12

October is the month when it's perfectly acceptable to revel in all things spooky. And whisky can play its part too, with plenty of scary offerings in the world of the divine beverage like Horrorwood Reserve whiskey. But whence does the name Horrorwood Reserve originate?

FAQ

Who is behind Horrorwood Reserve whiskey?
The Macabre Spirits brand by Matthew Lillard, star of Scream.
What type of whiskey is Horrorwood Reserve?
An American whiskey.
Where can you buy Horrorwood Reserve whiskey?
Through the Horrorwood Reserve website.

In the United States, Matthew Lillard, renowned horror actor from films such as Scream and Five Nights at Freddy’s, launched his own whiskey brand some time ago. The brand, named Macabre Spirits, has a clear horror theme and routinely releases chilling bottlings where the divine drink is given a horror twist.

The series of whiskeys also features a collaboration between the whiskey brand and the metal band Ice Nine Kills: Horrorwood Reserve.

A Name to Send Shivers Down Your Spine

Macabre Spirits has thoughtfully constructed this release as a distinctive tribute for fans of spine-chilling silver screen flicks. As the whiskey maker describes it themselves, it’s a ‘liquid soundtrack to your favorite slasher film.’

The name of the whiskey is a literal nod to horror movies in the United States and to the place where these globally revered films are made: Hollywood. Combine these two elements and you get Horrorwood.

However, that's not strictly where the name comes from. It’s actually a reference to the Welcome to Horrorwood album by Ice Nine Kills. Especially for the whiskey release, a new track was created, the music video of which is displayed below.

There's also a sequel to the track that unfolds more like a horror film. You can view it here.

What Exactly is Horrorwood Reserve Whiskey?

The whiskey from Macabre Spirits and Ice Nine Kills is produced with Bloody Butcher corn. This corn not only has an apt name, but also imparts a distinctive profile to the whiskey that has aged for five years in white oak barrels.

The flavor of the whiskey is slightly dry with nutty notes, cinnamon, leather, and spices. The whiskey is delivered in two sets: The Golden Age and Silver Scream. Both bottles contain the same whiskey with a number of recipes.

While the Silver Scream whiskey includes just the whiskey and two recipes, The Golden Age set includes all ten available recipes and a special bottle stopper in the shape of a skull. You can find both bottles here.