Blue Note Honey Rye Cask Whiskey Review & Tasting Notes

 

Blue Note Bourbon has been making waves in the Wonderful World of Whiskey. Founded in 2013, B.R. Distilling Company is the oldest legal distillery in Memphis, Tennessee, and has two flagship brands:  Blue Note and Riverset Rye. B.R. Distilling changed ownership in 2017 and aggressively marketed its whiskeys.

 

B.R. Distilling Company looks to Bardstown Bourbon Company to handle the distillation of its Rye whiskeys and Green River for its Bourbons. They then transport the barrels to Memphis, Tennessee, where they age in the humid Mississippi heat.

 

Blue Note Honey Rye Cask is B.R. Distilling’s latest release, hitting store shelves when you’re reading this review.

 

“Limited releases like our Honey Rye Cask allow our team to flex its creative muscles and shine a spotlight on special finishes. Blue Note’s bold and spicy notes blended with the nuanced flavors of wildflower honey deliver an intricate balance of strength and sweetness.” - Logan Welk, President and Chief Operating Officer, B.R. Distilling Company

 

The Honey Rye Cask release is distilled from a mash of 95% rye and 5% malted barley. It aged at least three years in 53-gallon new, charred oak barrels. After maturation, it was transferred to barrels that previously held locally sourced honey. A 750ml bottle is packaged at 58.6% ABV (117.2°) and has a suggested retail price of $64.99. The whiskey went through no filtration process.

 

It is almost time to #DrinkCurious and discover what this American Rye is all about. But first, I must thank Blue Note for providing me with a sample of it in exchange for my no-strings-attached, honest review.

 

Appearance: I poured this whiskey into my Glencairn glass. I sipped it neat. The liquid inside was bright orange. It formed a very thick rim that shed wavy, fast tears.

 

Nose: When I brought the glass to my nose, I discerned honey, toasted oak, rye spice, nutmeg, and orange zest. I drew the aroma into my mouth and encountered cocoa powder.

 

Palate: This American Rye possessed a fiery amount of cinnamon spice on my initial sip. The second sip allowed me to taste vanilla and honey on the front of my palate. There was tobacco, mint, and apricots as it moved to my mid-palate. The back offered dark chocolate, allspice, and clove.

 

Finish: Flavors of allspice, clove, tobacco, cinnamon, and oak tannins remained in my mouth and throat. As those dissipated, there were also cocoa and honey. The duration clocked in at 2:16, making for a long-lasting experience.

 

Bottle, Bar, or Bust: Blue Note’s Honey Rye Cask provides a spicy yet sweet American Rye with quite the punch. It left my hard palate and tongue tingling and drank several points above its stated proof. Sometimes, as you take sip after sip of a warm whiskey, the heat mellows; I didn’t experience that here.

 

I added a couple of drops of distilled water to see what changed. The nose added more baking spice and less sweetness. It allowed me to taste more of the honey. Yet, the cinnamon notes became more intense, like taking a cinnamon-soaked toothpick and holding it under your tongue while telling yourself, “I can handle this.”

 

I believe that those who really crave serious spice bombs will relish Blue Note Honey Rye Cask. It will be a more difficult sell for those who enjoy things a little less aggressive. It will be a polarizing whiskey and is rated accordingly. Before committing to a purchase, you’ll want to try this one at a Bar. Cheers!

 

My Simple, Easy-to-Understand Rating System

• Bottle = Buy It
• Bar = Try It
• Bust = Leave It

 

Whiskeyfellow encourages you to enjoy your whiskey as you see fit but begs you to do so responsibly.