Disclaimer: The whiskey reviewed was furnished for free courtesy of the spirit distiller. The distillery did not pay us for this review. This review is our honest and unbiased opinion based soley on how the spirit tasted.
Blue Run Bourbon’s inaugural release doesn’t disappoint. Mike Montgomery, Blue Run Spirits CEO, partnered with legendary master distillery Jim Rutledge (50-year whiskey vet and Four Roses master distiller emeritus) and iconic Nike Air Force One designer Devon McKinney.
Mike says, “We noticed that our broad, diverse group of friends also shared our passion for great Bourbons and ryes and, yet, no brand had reached out to them; no whiskey was speaking to them or shared their values. We saw an opportunity to share the joy of truly exceptional whiskey, that only whiskey aficionados had enjoyed until now, with our friends, families, colleagues and others.”
Jim approved the sourced whiskey for this first batch and has been leading the charge in distilling Blue Run’s own new make. Devon McKinney’s design salutes tradition but with a modern twist for today’s younger whiskey drinkers. Each bottle is hand-numbered with 22k gold ink and a metal butterfly (a nod to Kentucky’s state butterfly, the Viceroy). According to Blue Run Spirits, the gold butterfly on the bottle also “symbolizes the metamorphosis of the bourbon industry as it reaches a broader audience which appreciates fine bourbon through Blue Run.”
Blue Run is positioned in the premium bourbon space as a 13-year-old bourbon with a modern design and a limited release of only 2,600 bottles in KY and GA. And the price tag? An easy $169.99. Is Blue Run bourbon worth the price? That’s part of the question we’ll be answering in our Blue Run Bourbon review.
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Table of Contents
Blue Run Bourbon Aged 13 Years Review
| Blue Run Bourbon Aged 13 Years | Details |
|---|---|
| Mashbill | Unknown |
| In the Bottle | 113 Proof |
| ABV | 56.5% ABV |
| Age | 13 Years Old |
| Source | Kentucky - Unknown |
| Suggested MSRP | $169.99 |
| Pros | Full Flavored and Complex |
| Cons | Price |
| Rating | Gold 92.8 out of 100 Points |
| Inventory | If the price makes you squeamish, try it a bar or find someone who will share a sample, but Blue Run is a buy for me |
Nose – 95 out of 100 Points
The color is dark amber which gets me excited to dig in. The nose presents with some alcohol but that fades quickly into sweet cherries— freshly picked and rich. I also get nice cinnamon, charred oak, and vanilla glaze. Blue Run’s aroma is right down my alley. I could nose this all day.
Taste – 94 out of 100 Points
The front of the palate is all cinnamon then those sweet cherries pop up mid-palate. The back of the palate is the most gorgeous heat that rolls around the palate. Along the side of the palate, I pick up oaky notes.
Finish – 92 out of 100 Points
Blue Run offers a dry, medium finish with primarily oaky and cinnamon notes through the end. I wish some of the complexity especially the sweet notes carried through to the end. Also, most of the finish moves to the front of the palate.
Complexity – 93 out of 100 Points
Kudos for the complexity present on the nose and palate. I loved the interplay of sweetness, oak, cinnamon, and heat.
Value – 90 out of 100 Points
Value is where it gets tricky, so is Blue Run bourbon worth the price? The price is on the higher end for a sourced 13-year bourbon. But let’s be honest the MGP fanboys don’t blink an eye paying double that for premium aged bourbon. Blue Run Bourbon Aged 13 Years was selected by the legendary Jim Rutledge and designed by Nike’s Devon McKinney. I’m good with the price after tasting this bourbon. The design and attention to detail elsewhere is just the cherry on top. And I’m excited to taste future releases.
Verdict – Gold 92.8 out of 100 Points
Start shopping for bourbon clothing and accessories for your journey. The Bard’s Shop has custom tees and hoodies, books, barrels, and more.
Written by Matty Sims
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