Blue Run Emerald Rye Review | The Daily Pour

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88

Blue Run Emerald Rye

  • Distiller

    Castle & Key Distillery

  • Bottler

    Blue Run

  • ABV

    58.35%

  • Age

    NAS

  • Price $100 to $199.99

Released in November 2022, this is the first Blue Run rye to be contract-distilled by Liquid Advisor and Bourbon Hall of Fame inductee Jim Rutledge at Castle & Key Distillery in Frankfort, Kentucky. It was blended by Wild Turkey alum Shaylyn Gammon. Coming in at 116.7 proof, it is also the first Blue Run rye to be bottled at barrel proof.

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  • Raided Score: 95
  • The Whiskey Wash
  • By Jennifer Williams
  • Delicate and alluring, this whiskey is more reminiscent of a bourbon than a rye, which might make it more approachable for those who are less inclined towards the typical rustic character notes of most rye whiskeys.
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  • Raided Score: 85
  • Breaking Bourbon
  • By Jordan Moskal
  • Using new distillate from Castle & Key, Blue Run Emerald Rye delivers a sip that will please rye lovers who love their whiskey on the spicy side.
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  • Raided Score: 85
  • The Daily Pour
  • By T8ke
  • I really like this first chapter of barrel-proof rye and am curious to see how future batches present.
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  • Raided Score: 89
  • Distiller
  • By Stephanie Moreno
  • Adding water will soften the whiskey up and some sweeter aromas come through, particularly maple syrup. But while the rye becomes softer and fuller, the hearty savory rye is what remains. Rye fans should be pleased.
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  • Raided Score: 88
  • Drinkhacker
  • By Frank Dobbins
  • Like many bottles of Blue Run released to date, this one carries a wallet-wilting asking price that nearly threatens to make it as difficult to recommend as it is pleasurable to enjoy. Fortunately, thanks to its impressive balance of flavors and intriguing complexity, it remains mostly in the latter camp – making it yet another butterfly worth catching while it lasts.
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Raided Score is a conversion from an external site's score, to our in house uniform scoring system. Please see the FAQ for more.

  • Nose:

    Sweet and fruity on the nose. Apples, pears, honey, sweet buttercream and a touch of clove jump up.

  • Taste:

    On the palate, there’s a pleasant viscosity, albeit at the price of some heat. It’s spicy, every proof point of its 58-and-change-percent ABV greet you. Big cinnamon, clove, a touch of brown sugar, some praline.

  • Finish:

    Long finish, spicy but satisfying. Maple, red hots, apple butter for days.

  • Overall:

    Blue Run seems to be developing a house profile: rich flavors but at the obligation of some extra heat. Once again, fans of meek, exceptionally smooth whiskey need not apply. I really like this first chapter of barrel-proof rye and am curious to see how future batches present.

  • Score:

    85

  • Disclosure: The producer provided this sample to review free of charge, and without expectation of review or rating.

  • By T8ke
  • Our in house critic rates spirits on a scale of 0-10 (10 best) and is aggregated the same as external sources