Decadent brown sugar sweetness with a rich wrap of creamy vanilla and honeyed fruit notes, offering soft oak and a nutty frame that reveals itself around baking spices and cocoa.
NOSE
Vanilla on a sultry summer evening with the mildest hint of tarragon
TASTE
A velvety romance between brown sugar and brown butter
Bottled at cask strength to accentuate their rare traits, these 10 single barrel selections will tantalize your palate and deliver an elevated experience worth savoring.
B1 — Fruit and Grain
Mellow sweet corn and brown sugar apple butter that develops into mellow oak tannins
B2 — SWEET TOOTH
Deep chocolate and honey-drenched s’more
B3 — The honey barrel
Creamy toffee with bites of cocoa and black pepper
b4 — toffee Bar
Layers of char smoke and rich vanilla wood sugar
b5 — Straight up black cherry
Sultry black cherry and oak with clove honey
b6 — Sweet & Spicy
Decadent dark chocolate with a marshmallow frame and clove cascade
b7 — Charred To Perfection
Layers of char smoke and rich vanilla wood sugar
b8 — The big oak
Roasted pecan and nutty campfire smoke
B9 — SPICE IT UP
Spice forward with bold black pepper and baking spices and an herbaceous wrap
b10 — THe Triple
Oak tannin and dark raisin combination with a whip of smoke on the finish
The Blue Run team has selected 12 different single barrels of their High Rye Bourbon, which was contract distilled at Castle & Key Distillery. Each barrel, which featured a #4 alligator char and was aged in Frankfort and Bardstown, KY, will have its own unique personality based on where it was in the rickhouse and how the whiskey reacted to the wood. They range from 115-117 proof and the color of the butterflies vary based upon the distinct flavor profile.
DEC. 01
Red Hot Lollipop
Light brown sugar and saltwater taffy lead to strawberries and red-hot candies with a finish of honey crisp apples.
DEC. 02
Island Spice Cake
Granola and ripe banana introduce a mid-palate sweet and salty trail mix and caramelized apples finishing with anise and oak.
DEC. 03
Summer Melon
A hint of watermelon rind gives way to hard cherry candy ending with charred oak.
DEC. 04
Peanut Butter & Banana
A peanut butter and banana sandwich with deep, dark brown sugar finished with nutmeg and a kick of heat.
DEC. 05
Holy Honey!
Sweetened honey almond cereal and honey bun cake with a lingering finish.
DEC. 06
Chocolate Chip Granola Bar
Chocolate chip granola bar and orange marmalade lead the way followed by a warm, toasted oak finish.
DEC. 07
Holiday Fruit Basket
A combination of orange blossom, lemon and a bit of maraschino cherry in the middle ending in a sprig of mint.
DEC. 08
Breakfast Bourbon
Savory honey buttered wheat toast and kettle corn leading to grape jelly finishing with mild black pepper and lightly toasted oak.
DEC. 09
Blueberry Pie
Dark brown sugar and blueberry bubble gum on the nose leading to burnt sugar with new leather and a warm, dry oak finish.
DEC. 10
Apples & Cinnamon
Baking spice on the nose met by the mellowed-out taste of apples cooked in butter and brown sugar, ever-so-slightly caramelized and ready to pour into a pie before baking. Pronounced cinnamon to finish.
DEC. 11
Chestnuts Roasting
Pronounced nutty aroma of chestnuts followed brûléed citrus joined by a pop of heat on the back end to warm you all the way through.
DEC. 12
Sauvignon Blanc
Cooked peaches and simple syrup on the nose followed by golden raisins and a Mutsu apple, vanilla, and dry oak finish.
Blue Run Kentucky Straight Bourbon "Flight SERIES"
Blue Run Flight Series is a collection “micro batches” of Blue Run’s lauded Kentucky Straight High Rye Bourbon Whiskey. Each of the six “Flights” consists of between two to five barrels contract distilled by Blue Run’s Liquid Advisor Jim Rutledge at Castle & Key Distillery.
The barrels were hand-selected and expertly blended by Whiskey Director Shaylyn Gammon, making Flight the first Blue Run whiskey release blended by Gammon since she joined the company earlier this year. The small number of barrels used in Blue Run’s micro batching allows Gammon’s award-winning blending artistry to shine through on each bourbon, creating exceptional flavor experiences in each Flight.
01
Alpine Meadows
The flavor begins with subtle campfire matched with honey and spice, leading to bight citrus and green grapes, then ending in light brown sugar.
02
Parisian Pâtisserie
Out of the gate, the aroma includes baked goods, orange peel, and French white wine, moving to roasting coffee beans and fir tree essence.
03
Seattle Downpour
On the tongue, a hint of salt kicks it off with an extra pump of vanilla and butterscotch. The middle finds juicy stone fruit, apricot and roasted coffee beans, ending with light wood, dark chocolate and caramelized ginger.
04
Lahaina Luau
On the nose, Lahaina Luau kicks off with honey and sweet pear, which is followed by caramel, roses and orange blossom with a crescendo of plumeria, caramelized brown sugar and light smoke. The finish highlights light guava and brown sugar.
05
Washington Apple Orchard
On the nose, Washington Apple Orchard starts with fresh blueberries and dehydrated fruit, leading to delightful bubblegum and shortbread, which is capped with leather, apple juice and sweet spice.
06
Marrakech Market
The flavor enters as bright, with honey and light floral notes, followed by crème brûlée meeting toasted oak, then rounds out with a medley of black pepper, peanuts and blackberries. The finish is buttery with a dash of light pepper and a hint of cardamom.
Blue Run small batch Golden Rye Whiskey is Blue Run’s inaugural Rye expression. Named for both the distinct color of the choice grains that were used in the creation process and the accolades that the whiskey has garnered. Most notably, Gold medal winner at the SF World Spirits Competition.
TASTING NOTES
Honey-baked, graham cracker aroma surrounded by sweet grains and wood sugar. Easy-going finish that rests with honey and a dash of pear-syrup, with touches of ginger that add just the right tingle.
Blue Run small batch Golden Rye Whiskey is Blue Run’s inaugural Rye expression. Named for both the distinct color of the choice grains that were used in the creation process and the accolades that the whiskey has garnered. Most notably, Gold medal winner at the SF World Spirits Competition.
TASTING NOTES
Honey-baked, graham cracker aroma surrounded by sweet grains and wood sugar. Easy-going finish that rests with honey and a dash of pear-syrup, with touches of ginger that add just the right tingle.
BLUE RUN Kentucky Straight High Rye Bourbon Whiskey
Blue Run Kentucky Straight High Rye Bourbon is a small-batch whiskey and is the first Blue Run product with Bourbon Hall of Famer Jim Rutledge serving as the contracted Master Distiller (on all previous Blue Run products, except Golden Rye, Jim served as the Liquid Advisor).
TASTING NOTES
A caramel beauty full of baking spices and a toasted oak frame that crescendos with a stone fruit and black pepper finish.
Emerald Rye is Blue Run’s second Rye Whiskey release. Contract distilled at Castle & Key in Frankfort, Kentucky, this limited collection was crafted from just 189 barrels. Emerald embraces the distinct, spicy characteristics of rye, yet with the approachability and depth of an aged bourbon.
Bold, vibrant and captivating like the rare, glimmering green stone itself, Emerald Rye is the follow-up to Blue Run’s award-winning Golden Rye
TASTING NOTES
On the nose, dreamy butterscotch and creamy caramel lead to toasted oak and spicy peppers. The palate is awakened with a quick hit of buttercream and shishito peppers followed by a blast of apples and pears evolving into a woody sprinkling of cloves and rye spice. The finish will leave you with lasting memories of leather, oak and brown butter.
Bold. Distinctive. Inviting. Blue Run Spirits offers fine Kentucky whiskies carefully crafted to make every experience memorable.
Honoring tradition, looking forward
In creating our exceptional whiskies, we honor those who came before us while working to define the future of luxury bourbons and ryes. Putting his stamp of approval on the barrels is Jim Rutledge, a Bourbon Hall of Famer with more than 50 years of experience crafting legendary whiskies. He is joined by Shaylyn Gammon, one of the youngest and most innovative leaders in whiskey today - the creator of 2021's American Whiskey of the Year. A perfect pairing to create the perfect expressions for every occasion.
AWARD-WINNING
We are honored to have received so many accolades in such a short time, including several "best of" lists, multiple double golds and two Best in Category recognitions. But we know the true test is the approval of our Blue Run customers.
Whatever your preference - bourbon or rye - the robust, rich and approachable flavors housed in our distinctive bottle with the butterfly tells you that it's Blue Run, a whiskey crafted to create a peak experience.
A whiskey metamorphosis
Our signature butterfly medallion symbolizes the metamorphosis of the world of whiskies as we introduce our bourbons and ryes to a broader, more diverse generation of spirits enthusiasts.
Our Story
Blue Run Spirits was founded by five people with one shared passion - great whiskey.
Where did the name come from? Georgetown, Kentucky's Royal Spring — what cofounder Jesse McKnight called the “Blue Run” as a kid — home to the birthplace of bourbon back in 1789. We hope you enjoy our fine bourbons and rye whiskies as much as we enjoy producing them.
Like any good story, ours has just begun. And now our growing Blue Run family will help us write the rest of the story.
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THE BOURBON
TIS THE SEASON
12 DAYS OF BOURBON
Blue Run Spirits is celebrating this holiday season with the third annual release of their highly anticipated 12 Days of Bourbon series. This final whiskey release of the year features a dozen single barrel, barrel proof bourbons from acclaimed distiller, Jim Rutledge.
Emerald Rye is Blue Run’s second Rye Whiskey release. Contract distilled at Castle & Key in Frankfort, Kentucky, this limited collection was crafted from just 189 barrels. Emerald embraces the distinct, spicy characteristics of rye, yet with the approachability and depth of an aged bourbon.
Blue Run Kentucky Straight Bourbon "Flight Series"
Blue Run Flight Series is a collection “micro batches” of Blue Run’s lauded Kentucky Straight High Rye Bourbon Whiskey. Each of the six “Flights” consists of between two to five barrels contract distilled by Blue Run’s Liquid Advisor Jim Rutledge at Castle & Key Distillery.
The barrels were hand-selected and expertly blended by Whiskey Director Shaylyn Gammon, making Flight the first Blue Run whiskey release blended by Gammon since she joined the company earlier this year. The small number of barrels used in Blue Run’s micro batching allows Gammon’s award-winning blending artistry to shine through on each bourbon, creating exceptional flavor experiences in each Flight. Blue Run plans to release two Flight series annually beginning in 2023.
Blue Run small batch Golden Rye Whiskey is Blue Run’s inaugural Rye expression. Named for both the distinct color of the choice grains that were used in the creation process and the resulting product, Golden Rye was awarded a Gold medal in 2021 by the San Francisco World Spirits Competition.
Blue Run “Reflection I” Kentucky Straight Bourbon is a small-batch whiskey and was contract distilled by Blue Run’s Liquid Advisor and Bourbon Hall of Famer Jim Rutledge. Jim distilled this batch of barrels at Castle & Key Distillery. The name “Reflection I” was chosen by two of Blue Run’s founders who faced personal challenges over the past two years, in the middle of the pandemic and while launching the company. Pulled from existing aging stocks, this approachable bourbon, at this particular proof, is what they both enjoyed during this period, allowing them to reflect on what truly matters, starting first and foremost with family.
Tasting Notes: Bright Rainier cherries and creamy butterscotch on the nose. Fluffy pancakes and maple syrup on the front end, rosemary on the mid palate with an invigorating nutmeg finish.
The Blue Run team has selected 12 different single barrels of their High Rye Bourbon, which was contract distilled at Castle & Key Distillery. Each barrel, which featured a #4 alligator char and was aged in Frankfort and Bardstown, KY, will have its own unique personality based on where it was in the rickhouse and how the whiskey reacted to the wood. They range from 115-117 proof and the color of the butterflies vary based upon the distinct flavor profile.
Blue Run Holiday Rye Cask Strength features product from the same family of barrels as the Golden Rye Whiskey, which won a Gold Medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, but at Cask Strength, coming in at 106 proof. Each bottle features a “Pollock” treatment on the brand’s signature butterfly, making it easily identifiable on any back bar.
Blue Run Kentucky Straight High Rye Bourbon is a small-batch whiskey and is the first Blue Run product with Bourbon Hall of Famer Jim Rutledge serving as the contracted Master Distiller (on all previous Blue Run products, except Golden Rye, Jim served as the Liquid Advisor).
The inaugural Blue Run Bourbon is an instant classic. This 113-proof small batch temptation doesn’t need gimmicks or special finishes. It’s been aged directly into its sweet spot, delivering a mature, complex whiskey that offers an endlessly layered taste.
Bottled at cask strength to accentuate their rare traits, these 10 single barrel selections will tantalize your palate and deliver an elevated experience worth savoring.
The iconic Jim Rutledge expertly approves Blue Run’s Bourbon selections and distills our new make Bourbon.
Rutledge, a 50-year veteran of the industry, is the former Master Distiller of Four Roses Bourbon. Enshrined in the inaugural class of the Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame in 2001, he received a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2007 from Malt Advocate, and was named Ambassador of the Year by Whisky Magazine in 2008. Rutledge was also the 13th inductee (and only the 2nd American) into Whisky Magazine’s global hall of fame in 2013.
THE SHOP
Get the latest Bourbon and Merchandise from Blue Run in our Online Shop
“Blue Run is what I look for in a bourbon: complex flavor with a smooth finish. This is my new go-to celebratory whiskey!”
— Ty Votaw EVP, International PGA TOUR
“This [High Rye Bourbon] is legit the best four-year whiskey I've ever had.”
— Dan Shook Founder Bourbon junkies
“Blue Run takes bourbon to a new level. I loved it from the first sip. I knew with a glass of this I could sit back and relax and just enjoy the taste.”
