As a seasoned film buff with a penchant for the macabre, I must say that Matthew Lillard’s latest venture into the world of Macabre Spirits tequila is nothing short of spellbinding. The man’s ability to weave together various artisans in creating something uniquely captivating is reminiscent of the magic he worked with his character, Stu Macher, in the Scream franchise.
Matthew Lillard, known for his roles in “Scream,” “Scooby-Doo,” and “Five Nights at Freddy’s,” among others, is currently enjoying a surge of visibility. A casual remark about his “Scream” character Stu Macher on “The Drew Barrymore Show” sparked widespread attention. Besides his speculated roles in popular franchises, Lillard is also involved in several Dungeons & Dragons-related TV series, hosts a horror-themed baking show called “Killer Cakes,” stars in the action series “Cross,” and collaborates with Find Familiar Spirits to produce premium, genre-themed liquors. Now he’s venturing into tequila with “Macabre Spirits,” an exclusive horror-themed brand that includes the first novella from renowned horror author Mike Flanagan.
As a cinephile, I’m crafting my own cinematic masterpiece with each bottle – carefully curating a team of talented artisans to create something truly unique and engaging. Let me explain, every aspect of this project demands attention, from the design of the bottle to the artwork on the label. Mia Bergeron was responsible for the stunning art you see here, while Mike Flanagan penned an 80-page novella that tells the story behind each bottle.
What Mike Flanagan’s Novella Is About
Macabre Spirits stand out due to their link to the novel “Rare, Fine, and Limited” by Flanagan, who is renowned for his work on adaptations like “Doctor Sleep” and “Gerald’s Game”, as well as Netflix series such as “The Haunting of Hill House” and “Midnight Mass”. Notably, the term “spirits” can encompass both alcoholic beverages and supernatural entities. As Lillard points out, there is a profound association between them.
As a wine enthusiast, let me express that the concept of “Rare, Fine, and Limited” centers around our protagonist, who embodies a hedonistic spirit. He craves life in all its richness and receives an exclusive invitation from a proprietor to find the ultimate bottle of vino. What ensues is a chilling adventure that surpasses any fear-inducing scenario you could imagine. The entire short story revolves around this character’s pursuit of an extraordinarily rare drink, the pinnacle of rarities. Unfortunately for him, he finds it, making the tale all the more captivating. If we ever decide to revisit this liquid theme in a story, I believe this version encapsulates the essence of that narrative perfectly.
Mike Flanagan Confronts Sobriety with Macabre Spirits Tequila
Lillard hadn’t known about Flanagan’s body of work prior to meeting him and subsequently collaborating on ‘The Life of Chuck’, a Stephen King adaptation. He initially held back from proposing a collaboration on Macabre Spirits, as Flanagan is a recovering alcoholic. However, Flanagan has skillfully addressed themes such as alcoholism and sobriety in his acclaimed work like ‘Midnight Mass’, demonstrating the ability to tackle these sensitive subjects in an engaging manner.
Lillard mentioned that he didn’t learn about Mike’s work until after they had met. Upon getting home, he dived into the book ‘Midnight Mass’, and since then, has become a big fan. He agrees with your assessment of its themes. Moreover, he pointed out an intriguing subplot or continuity in ‘Midnight Mass'”, said Lillard. He further added:
Mike was kind enough to provide us with a collection of quotes for our promotional efforts – he’s been wonderful about it… However, he also penned an exceptional foreword which we’ve incorporated into the novella. In this foreword, Mike candidly discusses his journey with sobriety. As a storyteller, this was a subject close to his heart and he takes great pride in the piece he created. We can’t wait to share it with everyone.
Lillard, co-owner of the company, explains that their new product, Macabre Spirits, will likely match or even surpass the success of Lillard’s Quest’s End bourbon. However, they have chosen to produce tequila instead. The reason for this shift is twofold: first, Lillard personally enjoys tequila and has the power to make decisions as a co-owner; second, the process of making tequila is more artisanal and distinct compared to bourbon, which aligns with their goal of producing a product that is 99.9% additive-free. Despite not being bottled in Mexico, they strive to maintain a high standard of purity. Additionally, Lillard hints that tequila may not be the only spirit they explore in the future.
In the future, we aim to expand our horizons by venturing into new territory. Instead of repeating what we’ve done before, we’re eager to try something fresh and intriguing. This journey presents us with a thrilling challenge, and it feels like embarking on an adventure as we introduce new elements. Much like gin is distilled from various botanicals, our plans for 2025 are brimming with exciting possibilities!
You can pre-order Macabre Spirits here, which will ship in January.
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2024-11-02 03:03