Bourbon

Bourbon Review: Blue Note Special Reserve Cask Finished Series

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Bourbon Review: Blue Note Special Reserve Cask Finished Series

Blue Note Special Reserve is a release from B. R. Distilling Company out of Memphis Tennessee, is a blend of distillates from Kentucky Bourbon and Tennessee Whiskey.

by Charles Steele
March 16, 2025

Charles Steele is an attorney and whiskey enthusiast with a penchant for the peculiar.

Tasting Notes:

About:

Blue Note Special Reserve is a release from B. R. Distilling Company out of Memphis Tennessee. It is a blend of distillates from Kentucky Bourbon and Tennessee Whiskey. The make up of this bottle is extensive, and can be found below.

Appearance:

Deep color between Auburn and Mahogony.

Nose:

Captivating nose. Caramel apple on a tart green apple, a touch of pear, cinnamon, brown sugar, maple wood and a little holiday spices, and a back end of a cedar chest. It fills a room from the glass.

Palate:

Tart beginning of walnuts and white sugar. The body oak, rich chocolate, and red velvet cake, before a buttery mouthfeel. There are hints of cola and caramel throughout. You feel the ABV but not in a negative way.

Finish:

Hazelnuts and wine leaving behind oak on the tongue. The hold is long and balanced before leaving a slight dryness in the back of the throat.

Comments:

This one took a few sips to explore completely, and I still found more to love about this whiskey. There is a lot happening here and I can’t find a real parallel in my experience. This is a whiskey you save for special occasions and special consumers. With the high alcohol content and various casks, many of which are wine, it needs a good opportunity to open up in the glass and warm up in the hand.

This was a whiskey you want multiple glasses of, but should probably curtail yourself before you run out. There is something for almost every whiskey drinker, and it makes it easy to enjoy. If nothing else it’s a great whiskey to learn what you can pick up. With this many finishing casks you’ll surely identify notes many others don’t find.

Blue Note Bourbon Special Reserve Cask Make Up

5% 19 Year Tennessee Whiskey Finished in Cognac Barrels
4% 12 Year Tennessee Whiskey Finished in Sherry Cask
5% 11 Year Tennessee Whiskey Finished in Port Cask
3% 5 Year Tennessee Whiskey Finished in Madeira Cask
18% 6 Year Kentucky Bourbon Aged in Madeira Cask
10% 6 Year Kentucky Bourbon aged in Vino De Naranja Barrel
10% 4 Year Kentucky Bourbon aged in Triple Sec Barrel
17% 4 Year Kentucky Bourbon Aged in Apricot Brandy Barrel
13% 4 Year Kentucky Bourbon Aged in Amontillado Cask
15% 4 Year Kentucky Bourbon Aged in Vanilla Cognac

Charles Steele

Charles Steele, a Portland-based attorney, is a native of the Pacific Northwest. His legal background provides him with an analytical approach to understanding whiskey and other aged spirits. Primarily a legal writer, freelancing for The Whiskey Wash offers Charles a unique opportunity to showcase his versatility as a writer. Although his preference lies with whiskey and whiskey-based cocktails, he has a profound appreciation for all unique and unconventional liquors, from Malört to Ojen - if it's peculiar, he's intrigued.

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