Editor’s Note: This whiskey was provided to us as a review sample by the party behind it. This in no way, per our editorial policies, influenced the final outcome of this review. It should also be noted that by clicking the buy link in this review our site receives a small referral payment which helps to support, but not influence, our editorial and other costs.
Blue Run Spirits, based in Georgetown, Kentucky, has become known over its short existence for putting out some pretty high quality bourbon and rye whiskeys. So called “Blue Run Liquid Advisor” and Bourbon Hall of Famer Jim Rutledge, alongside Whiskey Director Shaylyn Gammon, form the backbone of a team well versed in both sourcing and distilling products for its offerings. Founded only in 2020, Blue Run’s rapid rise to fame ultimately led to its acquisition by Coors Spirits Co., the spirits division of Molson Coors, in August of last year.
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Post this acquisition, the first whiskey out the gate is known as Blue Run Trifecta Kentucky Straight Bourbon. It is described as the brand’s first “three age” Kentucky bourbon, being said to balance well the blending act of “a high-quality base whiskey with the vivid flavors and aromas from older ‘wood heat’ whiskeys.”
The wood heat reference alludes to Gammon making use of two whiskeys aged in the upper reaches of their respective rickhouses, where it is typically hotter and drier during the aging process. This higher temperature forces out the water molecules, Gammon explained when this whiskey was released, concentrating the alcohol within the barrel. This, in turn, extracts “more of the components of the wood from the barrel that can contribute a particular wood intensity to the whiskey.”
In trying to blend such a complex whiskey, nine- and eight-year-old “wood heat” barrels from Blue Run’s more than 5,000-barrel inventory were brought together with the base six-year-old Kentucky whiskey to help balance things out. 10% more of the nine-year than the eight-year was used as well “to achieve greater approachability.” Here’s how things breakdown more specifically:
- 9-year-old (78% Yellow Corn, 10% Rye, 12% Malted Barley): 32%
- 8-year-old (75% Yellow Corn, 21% Rye, 4% Malted Barley): 22%
- 6-year-old (78% Yellow Corn, 12% Rye, 10% Malted Barley): 46%
Blue Run Trifecta Kentucky Straight Bourbon, bottled at at a near barrel proof of 117.1, is priced at a rather staggering $179.99 for a 750ml. As a fun side note, when the nine-year-old was purchased from a partner distillery, it was discovered the bourbon had somehow made its way from Kentucky to Spain. It took some fancy footwork to get the whiskey returned apparently.
Tasting Notes: Blue Run Trifecta Kentucky Straight Bourbon
Vital Stats: Triple Kentucky bourbon blend (9-year 32%, 8-year 22%, 6-year 46%); bottled at 117.1 proof; priced at $179.99/750ml.
Appearance: This bourbon shimmers well in the light with a balanced brownish-orange color typical of whiskeys this age. There’s a nice leg structure in the glass.
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Nose: Warm vanilla and rock candy notes come from the glass, accompanied by orange, cardamom, and molasses. It is inviting.
Palate: Heat on this is moderate, easily carrying forth vanilla, brown sugar, black spice, cotton candy and caramel. Only some slight hints of oak. Finish is rather unique, rotating between sweet and spicy in a nice tandem as it slowly fades away. This is one to savor.
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