“Edit: BRS has asked that we clarify that they are not sourcing liquid from MGP, but from an undisclosed Kentucky distillery. The review below has been updated.”
This review is written by Guest Writer Sam Green, a Whiskey Sommelier from California and author of the book “Beginners Guide to Whiskey: Traditions, Types, & Tastes of the Ultimate Spirit” you can also buy a signed copy directly here www.beginnersguidetowhiskey.com
I got a text message one morning from my friend, and video editor, Tikku, about a new Bourbon that was supposed to be hitting the market soon. (Usually I learn about new releases a little late, but occasionally I do find out about them in a reasonable amount of time.)
In the case of this new Bourbon, Jim Rutledge, former Master Distiller for Four Roses, was attached to the brand. That immediately caught my attention. I mean a new Bourbon, that no one was talking about in my whisk(e)y circles? With Jim Rutledge connected to it? I knew I had to look into it. It turns out I wasn’t talking with a PR rep running the account, but rather Mike Montgomery who is one of the co-founders and also the CEO. So y’know, no big deal.
Initially there wasn’t a whole lot of information available. Using their website and Instagram, I reached out. They responded surprisingly quickly and we got to chatting. I told them who I was and what I do, and asked about their PR agency. We then started talking about how I got into the review game, and we agreed that 13-year-old Bourbon would go great with cheeseburgers. (For context, cheeseburgers are one of my favorite foods and I used to write reviews about them for a food blog I started in High School).
So let’s get into the reason you clicked this link shall we? The tasting of Blue Run 13-year-old Bourbon!
One last bit of housekeeping before we do: I received the tasting sample compliments of BRS (Blue Run Spirits) in exchange for my honest feedback and review. While life would be much easier if I was on the take like a dirty cop, I’m not, and all my reviews are honest. The presence or absence of a media sample never affects the outcome. That said, I need a drink…
What is Blue Run Spirits?
Blue Run Spirits is a new-to-market Bourbon and Spirits company started by a group of friends including: Montgomery (mentioned above), James McKnight, a former designer for Nike, and one of Facebook’s first director level employees. This is a 13-year-old Bourbon clocking in at 113 proof and sourced from an undisclosed Kentucky distillery. Jim Rutledge is distilling whiskey for them while also picking/approving the barrels they use for the release. The product name is a nod to co-founder Jesse McKnight’s upbringing in Kentucky and “the banks of Kentucky’s Royal Spring — what cofounder Jesse McKnight called the “Blue Run” as a kid.“
Appearance: A light amber in colour with shockingly few tears. The tears that were there are viscous, and thick, coating the glass.
Nose: This smells dusty, like I would expect a rickhouse in KY to smell. It has a mint and maple character that plays dirt-like so well. There is this “hard” wood aroma that I can’t quite pinpoint. I am reminded of the whiteboards in middle and high school because of the smell of “dry erase” markers (you know the ones). This is a really oak-forward Bourbon but again, at 13 years I am not surprised.
Palate:Creamy, some notes of black pepper, and a touch of salt. Oaky, and bitter. This Bourbon does wake up my salivary glands but only after holding it in my mouth for a bit and swishing it around.
Finish: Not a lot on the finish, other than bitter oak; it does give me that high proof Bourbon gum numbness (I like that).
Overall: This is a very tasty Bourbon, though personally it’s just shy of a sweet spot that I look for in older Bourbons (that unfortunately I can’t put into words). Jim, Mike and the team are definitely onto something with the older/luxury Bourbon market though, and I look forward to more from them soon!
