Blue Note Juke Joint Whiskey
Blue Note Juke Joint Whiskey caught my attention recently, but not in a liquor store. Blue Note has instead been popping up on our Instagram feed. In the past few weeks, I’ve seen several pictures and posts praising this whiskey. IG’s targeting marketing worked on my this time, because when I noticed Blue Note at my local liquor store, I had to give it a try.
I was surprised to find that this whiskey is distilled in Memphis, Tennessee. Although the Blue Note moniker makes sense given that Memphis is home to the blues, I had made the assumption (incorrectly) in my mind that it was a Kentucky brand. Google doesn’t help since many people refer to this as a Kentucky whiskey. Lucky for me, and all of us, whiskey never holds a grudge for past mistakes…
Juke Joint Whiskey is straight bourbon, aged for at least three years. The mash bill is 70% corn, 21% rye, and 9% malted barley. The +20% rye mash bill makes this a high-rye whiskey, which does great things for the flavor profile. It’s spicy, yet smooth. Coming in at 93 proof, Blue Note offers a good bang for the buck.
B.R. Distilling
As I mentioned earlier, Blue Note Juke Joint Whiskey is a straight bourbon distilled by the B.R. Distilling Company based in Memphis. B.R. Distilling Company bills itself as the oldest licensed distiller in Memphis. You might be thinking this proclamation would date back at least a few decades, but B.R. Distilling was founded in 2013 and has seen rapid expansion over the past few years.
In addition to Blue Note, B.R. Distilling also makes Riverset Rye. Although I haven’t tried Riverset, it also has positive reviews. B.R. Distilling appears to be making quality, reasonably-priced whiskeys that are gaining traction with whiskey enthusiasts. You can definitely include us among those enthusiasts.
Tasting Notes
Blue Note Juke Joint Whiskey has a strong oak flavor that hits the side of my tongue from the first sip. Alie referred to this whiskey as juicy, likely picking up the pear flavor. The juiciness adds a sweet flavor that assists the oak flavor I picked up.
It has a bit of an oily mouthfeel. The heat hits your tongue quickly, but only for a brief period. Instead, you are left with a lingering spiciness at the back of your mouth allowing the sweet flavors to evolve on your tongue.
There is a light sweetness that hits the tip of your tongue, but this whiskey goes down smooth and warm. The flavors are complementary to one another making this a good sipping bourbon. It would also make an excellent base in our Bourbon Peared Cooler to compliment the already juicy pear flavor in the whiskey. Check out the recipe here.
Our Scores
Drinkability: 4.5
Intensity: 2
Personal Preference: 2.8
Availability: 2
Overall: 3
Final Thoughts
Blue Note is a smooth yet light bourbon that is pleasing to the palette. The mix of flavors will suit many tastes. Its warm finish isn’t overpowering and it goes down smooth. Blue Note Juke Joint Whiskey makes an excellent starter bottle for a new enthusiast because of it’s mellow intensity and sweet flavor.
Blue Note is reasonably priced bourbon. It retails for $29.99 in most liquor stores, but you might find it listed for less. As their production and distribution increase this could drive the price down a few more dollars. It appears to have retailed for $39.99 upon its release, so the current pricing is an improvement. In our opinion, the right price point would be around the $25 range.
Blue Note Juke Joint Whiskey is currently distributed in 16 states according to their website. That is likely to change rapidly over the next few years given their recent expansion of distribution in 2021. If you don’t live in a state where they distribute, you will find it challenging to acquire a bottle. Perhaps if you’re out adventuring in a new state, give it a try. If you see a bottle, it is worth a taste.
To find out more about Blue Note and where to purchase their whiskey visit their site https://www.bluenotebourbon.com/
Happy Exploring!
