Castle & Key Distillery
Blue Run
58.35%
NAS
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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Sweet and fruity on the nose. Apples, pears, honey, sweet buttercream and a touch of clove jump up.
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.
Long finish, spicy but satisfying. Maple, red hots, apple butter for days.
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.
85
Disclosure: The producer provided this sample to review free of charge, and without expectation of review or rating.