2XO Whiskey and renowned American whiskey blender Dixon Dedman, in conjunction with iconic hip-hop group The Sugarhill Gang, announced the release of Rapper’s Delight – The Hip-Hop Blend (SRP $79.99/750ml), dropping this September. 

The seventh release in the award-winning Collectibles Series, The Hip-Hop Blend is inspired by Dixon’s love of rap music and the enduring legacy of the 1979 hit “Rapper’s Delight,” widely credited with introducing rap music to a mainstream audience. The Hip-Hop Blend will be available nationwide and online at ReserveBar.

“I couldn’t be more excited to partner with the legendary Sugarhill Gang and their historic single, ‘Rapper’s Delight’,” Dixon said in a news release. “It’s surreal to collaborate with such a generational and iconic team. The Hip-Hop Blend is a brown sugar bomb with loads of weight and viscosity on the front of the palate. It’s unique and classic, like this collaboration.”

“When we made ‘Rapper’s Delight’ in 1979, we could never have imagined the song’s impact,” The Sugarhill Gang said. “Collaborating with Dixon Dedman and 2XO to bring the spirit of ‘Rapper’s Delight’ into the world of whiskey has been an exciting opportunity for us. It’s an amazing way to honor where hip-hop came from while creating something entirely new to share with our fans.”

2XO, meaning Two Times Oak, refers to Dixon’s pioneering blending process in which every 2XO expression undergoes additional oak exposure. The additional oak interaction builds sweetness and balances the spice derived from the rye-forward mash bills and creates a unique combination of intense flavors, character, and complexity in each expression.

‍The Hip-Hop Blend consists of two proprietary mash bills—a high-rye (35%) bourbon mash bill and a moderate-rye (18%) bourbon mash bill. Dixon double-barrels the high-rye (35%) bourbon mash bill into new #3 and #4 charred oak barrels for 9-12 months. The double barreled char #3 and #4 high-rye mash bill comprises 90% of The Hip-Hop Blend, with the remaining 10% from the moderate-rye bourbon mash bill. The Hip-Hop Blend features notes of maple syrup, caramel, brown sugar, baked apples and a mild, silky, peppery finish.

The Sugarhill Gang’s debut single, “Rapper’s Delight,” holds several notable distinctions: it reached the Top 40 in the U.S., was named one of Rolling Stone’s 500 Greatest Songs of All Time, ranked No. 2 on VH1’s list of 100 Greatest Rap Songs, was included on NPR’s list of the 100 Most Important American Musical Works of the 20th Century, and was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2014.

All 2XO whiskeys are crafted in partnership with Prestige Beverage Group, an industry-leading importer and brand innovator of award-winning wine and spirits. Together, Dixon and Prestige Beverage Group continue to create distinctive whiskey expressions that push the boundaries of American whiskey blending. Learn more about 2XO and The Hip-Hop Blend at www.2xowhiskey.com.

Read more: 2XO Announces National Expansion of White Oak Rye

‍About 2XO

2XO Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey was created by American whiskey blender Dixon Dedman. Dixon grew up on the Kentucky whiskey trail infusing the learnings from industry legends with his culinary expertise from running his family’s business, the famed and James Beard award-winning Beaumont Inn. He was originally known for his high-proof, robust Kentucky Owl Straight Bourbon and Rye Whiskey blends, a brand he relaunched in 2014 from his great-great grandfather, C.M. Dedman, after it went dark in 1916 around the time of Prohibition. Learn more about 2XO and White Oak Rye at www.2xowhiskey.com.

About Prestige Beverage Group

‍Prestige Beverage Group is a leader in the alcoholic beverage space, developing and importing a global portfolio of wine and spirits brands to provide consumers with a diverse range of innovative, quality products. Founded in 1974, Minnesota-based Prestige Beverage Group encompasses a portfolio of world-renowned brands including 2XO Whiskey, Windsor Canadian, Il Tramonto Limoncello Liqueur, Kinky Liqueur, Risata Wines, Yes Way Rosé, and Doña Paula Wines. For more information, please visit www.prestigebevgroup.com. 

About The Sugarhill Gang

In 1979, the Sugarhill Gang crashed through the walls of the urban cities and into the mainstream of society with the first worldwide rap hit, “Rapper’s Delight.” Two of the original members of this historic group, Wonder Mike (Michael Wright) and Master Gee (Guy O’Brien) had teamed up with Henry Jackson (pka Big Bank Hank) to become the now famous Sugarhill Gang. Sugarhill Gang is believed by many to be the first professional hip-hop group, because they introduced to the masses (both in the United States and overseas) this unprecedented genre of music. “Rapper’s Delight” eventually sold over 8 million copies and went on to be one of the biggest selling rap singles of all time. Even today, it continues to appeal to audiences of all ages.