A little background
Blue Note Bourbon, produced by B.R. Distilling Company, honors the blues music heritage of Memphis, Tennessee, where the brand is based. Founded in 2014, B.R. Distilling is the oldest licensed distillery in the city and crafts its whiskeys in partnership with Lofted Spirits, the parent company of Green River Distilling Company. The spirits are aged just north of downtown Memphis, benefiting from the region’s hot summers and cooler evenings that enhance flavor development. The core portfolio includes expressions like Juke Joint, Crossroads, Uncut, and Straight Rye Whiskey, alongside limited releases such as Premium Small Batch, Single Barrel Reserve, and 17-Year.
The 2025 release of Blue Note Honey Rye Cask is a straight rye whiskey finished in honey-infused barrels, embracing a fusion of aging techniques. It features a mash bill of 95% rye and 5% malted barley, with the whiskey aged for a minimum of three years before finishing in repurposed American oak barrels that previously held barrel-aged honey. Bottled unfiltered at 116.49 proof (58.245% ABV), this whiskey carries a suggested retail price of $65 and is limited to around 13,000 bottles.
(Tasted neat from a Glencairn Glass)
Color
Gold
Nose
Vanilla, apple orchard, cinnamon, clove honey, brown sugar, apricot, and oak.
Palate
Apples, vanilla, rye spice, caramel, apricot, baking spice (cinnamon, clove, and nutmeg), mint, and oak.
Finish
Spice (cinnamon, nutmeg, peppercorn), apple crisp, vanilla, caramel, and oak.
In closing
Blue Note Does It Again with the Honey Rye Cask 2025 Release, a limited-edition whiskey that seamlessly marries bold rye spice with the innovative sweetness of honey cask finishing. Its vibrant nose, creamy palate, and smooth, lingering finish deliver a harmonious pour, ideal for rye fans and newcomers alike, with fall-inspired notes of apple, cinnamon, and honey evoking cozy hot toddy vibes. The high-proof complexity, balanced by exceptional smoothness, makes it a sippable gem, while its ~13,000-bottle run at $64.99 offers compelling value and collectible appeal. For context, our 2024 review of this release (Blue Note Honey Rye Cask 2024 Review) highlighted its inaugural success, and the 2025 edition continues to impress. The only frustration is its rapid sell-out, leaving us all wishing for a personal barrel of this tasty release!
NOTE: The sample used for this review was provided at no cost courtesy of Blue Note. We thank them for the sample and for allowing us to review it with no strings attached.
Blue Nose Honey Rye Cask 2025 Release
The Good
- Exceptional Balance
- Flavor Profile
The Bad
- Availability
