Blue Run High Rye Bourbon Whiskey
Blue Run High Rye Bourbon — 111-Proof Kentucky Straight Bourbon
Blue Run High Rye Bourbon is a Kentucky straight bourbon bottled at 111 proof (55.5% ABV), 750mL — built on a bold 65% corn / 30% rye / 5% malted barley mash bill and aged a minimum of 4 years in new American oak with a #4 alligator char.
This was the first Blue Run release distilled under Bourbon Hall of Famer Jim Rutledge (formerly of Four Roses), distilled at Castle & Key Distillery and aged in Frankfort and Bardstown, Kentucky. Just 100 carefully selected barrels went into the original bottling — and Rutledge himself called it impressive for a four-year-old whiskey: bold, spicy, and remarkably sippable at full strength.
Tasting Notes
- Nose: Baking spice, nutmeg, rich caramel, light honey, graham cracker, black cherries, and dark plums with a hint of anise.
- Palate: Black tea, simple-syrup sweetness, soft caramel, light toast, and ginger.
- Finish: Fairly long — black pepper and char build, with black tea and sweetness lingering.
Key Highlights
- ✔ 111 proof (55.5% ABV) — full-strength and sippable
- ✔ 30% rye mash bill — bold, spicy bourbon character
- ✔ Aged minimum 4 years, #4 alligator char
- ✔ Distilled under Jim Rutledge at Castle & Key Distillery, Kentucky
- ✔ Small batch — 100 selected barrels in the original release
How to Enjoy
Neat to appreciate the full 111-proof profile, with a splash of water to open the baking-spice layers, or on the rocks for a more approachable pour.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the mash bill of Blue Run High Rye?
65% yellow corn, 30% rye, and 5% malted barley — a high-rye recipe that gives it its spicy, baking-spice-driven profile.
Who is Jim Rutledge and what is his role at Blue Run?
Jim Rutledge is a Bourbon Hall of Fame master distiller formerly of Four Roses. Blue Run High Rye was the first release with Rutledge serving as contracted master distiller, overseeing production at Castle & Key.
How old is Blue Run High Rye?
The release is aged a minimum of 4 years in new charred American oak — unusually well-formed for a young bourbon, per Rutledge himself.
Explore more: Shop all bourbon and shop all whiskey at Del Mesa Liquor.
