It is perhaps because of their shared love of a blue sky, sunlight, and a good time that Bluebird Distilling master distiller Jared Adkins joined with Davis in releasing Bluebird Days Straight American Whiskey. Bluebird Distilling is a little-known name in the whiskey world, having just expanded their four-state distribution capabilities to 41-state availability. The small grain-to-glass distillery was founded in 2015 and has been steadily producing quality products ever since.
Unlike the few other four-grains on the market, this release adds 10% pure wheat whiskey, meaning roughly 20% of the whiskey is wheat, a concentration popular in whiskeys like Larceny, Makers Mark, and Weller. There is some debate as to the goal of four-grain whiskies, as they try to balance softer vanilla and brown sugar notes of wheat with the spice of a rye, rather than promoting one or the other. Tantalizing if it can be done right, blasé if bungled.
What is known for sure is that this particular blend was specifically selected by Davis. I may be reading too much into it, but as I sat sipping a glass after a long week while listening to his album, I hoped the singer found something from his songs in the whiskey. Maybe the smooth John Mayer-esque blues guitar lines in “Whiskey Weak” are meant to be the crunchy coconut and nutmeg of the wheat palate, while the bittersweet lyrics of “Bluebird Days” find expression in the way the warm flavors on the palate drain away to bitter orange peel and spicy pepper.
I’m probably overthinking it, but either way, like a good country song, both the Bluebird Days album and whiskey remind me of times gone by — of love, loss and summer days.
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Tasting Notes: Bluebird Days Straight American Whiskey
Vital Stats: Aged 6.5 years. 86 proof (43% ABV). A blend of 90% six-year-old Bluebird Bourbon and 10% seven-year-old Bluebird Red Winter Wheat Whiskey. ~$50.00
Appearance: Pale pink mixed with pastel orange.
Nose: Cinnamon and vanilla frosting hit on top of a thick carrot cake base, with a twinge of blackberry. Heavy notes of bitter orange peel float around nutmeg.
Palate: A flash of plum wine is almost missed as lush caramel and gingersnap burst in. Deeper flavors of sunflower seeds, honey, and malt develop alongside oak. The finish drops off to faint bitter orange peel, allspice, and coconut, with a touch of mint.
