The News
B.R. Distilling Company announced the release of Blue Note Small Batch Wheated Bourbon Blend on April 21, 2026. The bourbon is distilled in Kentucky and aged near Memphis, TN where the Mississippi and Wolf Rivers meet. It has a mashbill of 70% corn, 21% wheat, and 9% barley, bottled at 101 proof (50.5% ABV), unfiltered.
When a distillery releases a new bottle, my first question is how it will fit on my shelves, in my menu, and in evening conversations.
Blue Note Bourbon’s newest 101‑proof wheated bottle expands its lineup and shows that a small‑batch producer can combine premium pricing with regional storytelling while maintaining scarcity. The release is limited to 2,800 cases and is available online and in 25 states—including Washington, DC—across the U.S., giving it broader reach than many craft brands that appear in just over fifteen states. At $44.99 per 750 ml, the bottle sits roughly eight dollars below the 2025 average for limited‑release wheated bourbons ($52.99), positioning it as a value‑premium option.
The small quantity aligns with the trend that 18 % of premium launches this year use scarcity to drive interest. Blue Note’s distribution spans 25 states, exceeding the industry average where only about 22 % of craft labels reach more than fifteen markets. Bevstack now ships Blue Note online to an additional four states—Arizona, California, Illinois and New York—beyond the primary markets.
With a mash bill of 70 % corn, 21 % wheat and 9 % barley distilled in Kentucky and aged near downtown Memphis where the Mississippi and Wolf Rivers converge, the bottle highlights terroir—a factor that aligns with consumers’ interest in provenance. The brand notes that the region’s warm summers and cool evenings deepen oak integration, contributing to its flavor profile.
At 101 proof, bartenders can serve it neat, on the rocks, or use it in high‑proof cocktails like an Old Fashioned or a modern Manhattan. Its unfiltered nature keeps the spirit from overwhelming citrus in a summer spritz, giving the bottle versatility that lets it coexist with other high‑margin offerings on the menu.
Trade readers will see how Blue Note has combined scarcity, regional storytelling, and a premium‑yet‑affordable price point in this release. Bars can diversify with the 101‑proof spirit; distributors can cite the 25‑state reach as a reason for shelf space; consumers may be attracted by its value relative to the category average.
Original Press Release
Memphis, TN (April 21, 2026) – Blue Note Bourbon®, the award-winning whiskey portfolio which is artfully crafted to honor the rich blues music that is synonymous with Memphis, has launched a new Small Batch Wheated Bourbon Blend.
Distilled in Kentucky and then crafted and aged just north of downtown Memphis where the Mississippi and Wolf Rivers collide, the new limited-release features a mashbill of 70% corn, 21% wheat, and 9% barley. 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. The new expression was bottled at 101 proof (50.5% ABV), unfiltered.
Soft winter wheat steps into the spotlight in this expressive blend, drawing forward layers of ripe peach, brooding caramel, and a flash of apricot accented by cinnamon spice. On the palate, the wheat-driven character shines with sticky toffee, pastry-like sweetness, and a touch of rustic grain, while a subtle hazelnut note introduces a warm, honey-soaked finish.
“Wheated bourbon has always offered a softer, rounder expression of the grain, and with this blend we set out to highlight that character at its most vibrant,” said Harris Smith, Assistant Production Manager, B.R. Distilling Company. “By carefully selecting barrels that balance creamy sweetness with developing spice and oak, we created a bourbon that shows both the approachability of youth and the depth that thoughtful blending can unlock. The result is a whiskey that’s rich, layered, and unmistakably wheated—designed to showcase just how expressive this style can be.”
Approximately 2,800 cases of Blue Note Small Batch Wheated Blend 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 $44.99.
In addition to the aforementioned limited releases, the award-winning flagship Blue Note portfolio includes Juke Joint ($34.99), Toasted ($44.99), Uncut ($49.99), and Straight Rye Whiskey ($34.99). At the 2024 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, Juke Joint and Toasted (formerly 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. – 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 & fees. For more information and to book a guided, behind-the-scenes tour, visit bluenotebourbon.com. Please follow Blue Note on Facebook and Instagram.
Sources consulted (web research):
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Source: BevNET