Blue Note - Juke Joint Whiskey
$40
Blue Note – Juke Joint Whiskey
Proof: 93
Age: 3+ Years
Distillery: Distilled In Kentucky (Unknown), Bottled and aged in Memphis by B.R. Distilling
Type: Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Mash: 70% Corn, 21% Rye, 9% Malted Barley
Website: Blue Note – Juke Joint Whiskey
*Disclaimer: A score of 5 is the midpoint for my reviews. Above 5 I like it. Below 5 I didn’t for some reason. Most of my reviews are between 4-7. It takes something really really special to go above 7 or below 4. See the methodologies for rating at the end of the article
Nose: Light Fruits, Corn, Caramel, Fresh Oak, & Mild Rye Spice.
Taste/Palate: Caramel Corn, Mild Oak, Vanilla Bean, Light Fruits – Apricot and Pear.
Finish: Some Rye and All Spice on the Finish that brings you home. The Sweet corn sits on the tongue. Fresh cut Oak lingers in the background. The aforementioned notes stick but there’s a bit of a drop off regarding robustness. I understand that finishes dissipate, but on this one the finish hits then takes a big step down before it carries on.
Verdict: Blue Note has the foundation of a standard KY bourbon, but the Rye and Barley lend a bit of a complexity to it. It one I enjoy sipping and it’s a solid buy for the MSRP price. “Younger” bourbons in the 3ish age range tend to be more grain forward with much less to show for it. If I did a blind taste on this I would have put it in the 5+ year category. The nose was my favorite part of this sip, followed by the palate, and then of course the finish.
The Story: I have heard the tales of Blue Note within the Bourbon Scene, but I have never found it in MI despite the “nationwide” availability. The Nationwide statement is listed on the site under this particular spirit, but the general footprint listed on the general site does not have show the Midwest. This one was muled to me from FL where it was found near the MSRP price point. Blue Note didn’t knock my socks off, but it’s well worth the $40. The value category of this dram will raise the overall score.
The Distillery’s Story (In our words): I’ll have to summarize what I found on the Blue Note site. Spoiler, there isn’t much. As you jump from page to page you’ll see that each spirit is listed, but with limited information. The “about us” category only lists the management hierarchy. From what I can gather. Blue Note has their spirit distilled in KY and then they finish it in Memphis TN? I put a question mark, because I honestly don’t know if it’s finished in KY or TN.
*It’s important to note that this review is simply what appears to be the entry level Blue Note offering. Sourced or not, I will not hesitate in the future to try and review their other offerings.
Methodologies for Rating:
1. Dump it down the drain or regift it to someone you don’t care for.
2. This doesn’t even belong in a mixed drink. Use in case of an emergency.
3. It’s really not for me, but I heard some people like it.
4. Its only good when I’ve had too many and it’s decent in a mixer.
5. Average. Not bad, but not special.
6. Above average. Good to bring to an event and you wouldn’t expect any guff from it.
7. Buy two if you see it to make sure you have one on reserve.
8. Very Very good. Constantly a GREAT POUR.
9. Superb. If I were to drink this and only this from now on I’d be a happy person.
10. Perfection is impossible. But this really comes as close as you can possibly get.
Reviewer: David S
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