Review #64 Blue Note Single Barrel Reserve 10yr: Bourbon
Updated: Jan 31, 2021
Score: 9.0 / 10
Distillery: B.R. Distilling Company
Type: Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Smooth as the blues itself is the phrase that comes to mind with Blue Note Bourbon. After prohibition was repealed in the 1930's the blues came to Tennessee and the rest of the arts created from that point forward was history as they say.
Distilled in Memphis, but not counted as Tennessee whiskey due to the fact that it is unfiltered straight bourbon. The new barrels used to age this whiskey are very carefully selected for their quality. Most of which can be found made of materials that are in close proximity to the Mississippi river.
I don't know what you guys are doing tonight, but I am picking up that guitar and pouring a few drams of this stuff. Blue Note was a bit of a random purchase and I was delightfully surprised with this expression. This however should be no surprise coming from the oldest licensed distillery in Memphis.
55.5% Alc/Vol - 111 Poof - Served neat in a Glencairn glass
Whiskey Review:
Nose: Loaded with "Beam funk" but its from Tennessee. Reese's candy, big peanut butter and chocolate . Toasted sugar, brown sugar and cinnamon stand behind the more robust notes.
Palate: Malty and velvety mouthfeel chalked full of peanut butter, vanilla, heavy whipping cream and sugar. Light cinnamon and spice on the back end, but drinks way under its 111 proof. Smooth as the blues? Definitely. Its like a malted Reese's ice cream shake.
Finish: Short finish, very light and clean. Fades quickly, but leaves a subtle peanut butter flavor. A touch of toasted oak sits on the front of my tongue.
Score: 9.0
Scale:
S+ Sensational - The Pinnacle (9.5+)
A - AXEceptional (astounding) (9-9.5)
B - bravo (step aBove average) (8-8.9)
C - competent (7-7.9)
D - disappointing (6-6.9)
F - flush it down the toilet (fail) (5.9 below)
Notes: Availability? Uncommon. Not an allocated whiskey as the blues are open to anyone, but this is not a generally stocked whiskey at all liquor shops. A few phone calls should be able to find the bottle in a day with no problems.
