The News
B.R. Distilling Company has launched its third annual Blue Note Special Reserve, a limited release of 2,100 bottles featuring a blend of nine casks from Kentucky and Tennessee, aged between five and 19 years. The whiskey is bottled at 119 proof (59.5% ABV) with no filtration and features notes of molasses, cedar, dried apricot, and vanilla. It’s available online and in select U.S. states.
The Takeaway
Cask Blending Expertise: B.R. Distilling Company is clearly refining its cask-blending process by selecting nine different casks from multiple regions, showing a deep understanding of how each barrel contributes unique flavors. This approach highlights their commitment to complexity and quality in the spirits sector.
Limited Release Strategy: The third annual Special Reserve being released in limited quantities (2,100 bottles) suggests a strategy focused on exclusivity and premium positioning. By emphasizing the blend’s age range and specific flavor notes like dried apricot and vanilla, they’re appealing to connoisseurs looking for depth and character.
Regional Craftsmanship: The use of casks from both Kentucky and Tennessee underscores the regional diversity in bourbon production. This not only adds complexity but also reflects a broader trend where distillers are leveraging cross-state resources to create unique expressions that stand out in a competitive market.
Original Press Release
Memphis, TN (March 16, 2026) – Blue Note Bourbon®, the award-winning whiskey portfolio artfully crafted to honor the rich blues music synonymous with Memphis, has launched its third annual Special Reserve Straight Bourbon Whiskey.
Crafted in Memphis, the limited release is a blend of nine different casks from Kentucky and Tennessee—cognac, madeira, sherry, port, vino de Naranja, vanilla cognac, apricot brandy, cognac, and winter bock—ranging in age from five to 19 years with varying mashbills. The new expression was bottled at 119 proof (59.5% ABV), unfiltered.
The nose opens with light molasses layered over dry cedar and a gentle clove spice. On the palate, it’s rich and savory, led by cedar and warming spice, unfolding into dried apricot, allspice, peanut, and vanilla, before a soft, comforting finish that lingers warmly near the sternum.
“Each year, we evaluate a wide range of variants before selecting the blend that best showcases how the barrels have evolved and the distinct character each cask contributes,” said Logan Welk, President & COO, B.R. Distilling Company. “Every release is crafted to explore the outer limits of blending, while ensuring the integrity of our high-quality bourbon base remains at the forefront—complementing, rather than overpowering, the nuanced influence of each cask.”
Approximately 2,100 bottles of Blue Note Special Reserve are now available for purchase online at BlueNoteBourbon.com and in select U.S. states (as listed below). The suggested retail price for a 750ml bottle is $149.99.
In addition to Special Reserve, Blue Note has previously introduced several other highly awarded limited-release offerings, including Premium Small Batch, Single Barrel Reserve, 17-year, and, most recently, a Honey Rye and Honey Bourbon Cask.
Blue Note’s whiskey portfolio is distilled in Kentucky and then aged just north of downtown Memphis, where the Mississippi and Wolf Rivers collide. The long summers filled with infamous Memphis heat and cooler evenings force the whiskey deep into the oak, creating an unmistakably rich flavor that’s bold yet smooth.
In addition to the aforementioned limited releases, Blue Note’s award-winning flagship portfolio includes Juke Joint ($34.99), Crossroads ($44.99), Uncut ($49.99), and Straight Rye Whiskey ($34.99). At the 2024 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, Juke Joint and Crossroads were awarded Platinum medals, a rare honor meaning that each expression has received Double Gold medals for three consecutive years.
Production Facility & Tasting Room
Blue Note’s 110,000-square-foot production facilities, located on Royal Avenue just north of downtown Memphis, are open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. CST and include a unique and intimate tasting room.
Guided tours, including a tasting, are available on Thursdays and Fridays for $20 plus tax and fees. For more information and to book a guided, behind-the-scenes tour, visit BlueNoteBourbon.com. Please follow Blue Note on Facebook and Instagram.
Source: BevNET
