Three new Blue Note whiskeys hit Tennessee shelves at $64.99

Memphis-based B.R. Distilling Co. has released three new whiskey expressions in Tennessee, each priced at a fair suggested retail of $64.99 per bottle. The company, which serves as the parent entity for Blue Note Bourbon, sources base spirits from contract distilleries in Kentucky, Indiana, and Tennessee. After initial aging, the barrels are shipped to the company’s West Tennessee facility where blenders select complementary barrels and apply secondary cask finishing to develop specific flavor profiles.

The first release is the Blue Note Honey Bourbon Cask, a straight bourbon whiskey that uses a mash bill consisting of 70 percent corn, 21 percent rye, and 9 percent malted barley. This specific grain recipe is associated with Green River Distilling in Owensboro, Kentucky. The bourbon is finished in honey barrels, a process where used whiskey barrels are filled with honey to impart sweet flavors to the wood before being refilled with whiskey. Bottled unfiltered at 117.8 proof, the spirit offers notes of vanilla, wildflower honey, and warm baking spices. The high alcohol content draws out oak characteristics without making the finish overly hot or tannic.

The second product is the Blue Note Honey Rye Whiskey, which pairs a straight rye base with honey cask finishing. The rye whiskey features a mash bill of 95 percent rye and 5 percent malted barley, a recipe common at many distilleries and produced in part by MGP in Indiana. Bottled at a higher strength of 119.6 proof, this unfiltered rye presents a palate described as buttery and spicy with a hint of toffee. The flavor profile is compared to graham crackers, offering a fruity nose reminiscent of winter baking spices.

The third release is the Limited Release Blue Note Cherry Wood Cask, which utilizes the same mash bill as the Honey Bourbon but finishes in rare, sustainably harvested wild-cherry wood casks from the Jura region of eastern France. The finishing takes place in Memphis, where the hot and humid climate allows the cherry wood to contribute brightness and warm spices. Bottled at 120 proof, this whiskey finishes with a long, toasty, and rich smokiness. The cherry wood is noted for being expensive and difficult to source for barrel construction, making this a distinct addition to the lineup.

All three whiskeys are available in the state at the same price point, allowing consumers to sample the different effects of honey and cherry wood on the base spirits.