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Bourbon Review: Blue Run 13.5-Year-Old Single Barrel Cask Strength Bourbon

We review Blue Run 13.5-Year-Old Single Barrel Cask Strength Bourbon, a single barrel, cask strength bourbon released under the watchful eye of Jim Rutledge.

OVERALL RATING

8
$240.00
  • John Dover, creator of "Johnny Scotch," musician, and author.
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Blue Run 13.5-Year-Old Single Barrel Cask Strength Bourbon

Tasting Notes

About:

Aged 13.5 years, 129 proof. Single barrel, cask strength, suggested retail pricing of about $240 a bottle.
Appearance:
Red tinted amber that, when swirled in your glass, drapes down the side in a single sheet.
Nose:
Approach this with respect. Upon my first sniffs I got a bit close, and it lit my nose up. Once I knew what was coming at me, I was able to carefully indulge in a rich tapestry of traditional notes of buttery caramel, followed by a fruit salad of orange peel, a hint of peach, and just a bit of banana. There is a hint of malt and baking spices all rounded out by fresh brown sugar.
Palate:
Much like my initial whiffs, I did not prepare well for the overpowering flavors and heat of this high proof bourbon. It has a sharp, prickly heat that dissipates on the lips but hangs on the tongue. Without dilution, it has a peppery bite and is so packed with flavor and heat, it is hard to distinguish one note from another. Then I got wise. I poured my sample over a large ice cube and allowed it to mingle in the glass and open up. The sugars have a lightly burnt quality to them for a pleasant balance of bitter and sweet. Cinnamon, clove, and fresh cracked black pepper dance across the middle of the tongue. Over ice the heat dissipates evenly, and more nuanced flavors emerge as you drink. It has a creaminess that comes from the caramel notes that balance its spicy nature. I was expecting a lot more citrus, but found it to be more like a savory crepe that has a squeeze of orange over top to sweeten it a bit. After a while it evolves to banana bread with a healthy dose of fresh churned butter.
Finish:
Comments:
Not for the casual sipper, but it is for the curious ones. It is aggressive without ice and not sugar-forward as many bourbons. Even at cask strength, I expected a smoother sip from the get-go having been aged so long. At the end, once the dilution took hold, I had a buttery caramel sipper with a look towards the future balanced with the traditions of the past.

Editor’s Note: This whiskey was either bought as a sample by The Whiskey Wash or provided to us as a review sample by the party behind it. Per our editorial policies, this in no way influenced the outcome of this review.

John Dover

John Dover, creator and writer of the acclaimed "Johnny Scotch" series, draws inspiration from his immersive experiences as a professional musician and his extensive travels across the US. His Jazz Noir world intertwines with his music, culminating in collaborations such as the "Johnny Scotch Vignettes" with Thomas Barber, blending high-energy fusion with spoken word.

John's latest ventures include "Johnny Scotch #4" illustrated by Dan Schaefer, and the novella "A Song for Charlie." Alongside his music career, he continues to expand the "Johnny Scotch" universe through short stories and comic books.

Beyond "Johnny Scotch," John is a recognized horror writer, contributing to anthologies such as "Tales from the Braided Pony," "Monsters 'N' Things," "100 Word Horrors," and the forthcoming "Tenebrous Tales." He's also a regular entertainment writer for Mythmachine.com.

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