Distillery: B.R. Distilling Company — Memphis, TN
Proof: 100.0 (50.0% ABV)
Age: Undisclosed
Mashbill: 70% Corn, 21% Rye, 9% Malted Barley
MSRP: $45
Riffing on Tradition with a Toasted Finish
Blue Note Bourbon has grown its footprint with a range of expressions that pair Southern roots with thoughtful . With Crossroads, produced and distilled by B.R. Distilling Co. in Memphis, Tennessee, the brand has crafted a bourbon that hits a new high note—both in its structure and its recognition.
Crossroads is a straight bourbon whiskey that finishes its journey aged with toasted French oak staves, creating a whiskey that’s different from its roots and with additional depth and a refined complexity. Bottled at 100 proof, the whiskey showcases what added finishing can do.
The results are impossible to ignore. At the 2025 Denver International Spirits Competition, Blue Note Crossroads earned a Double Gold Medal and was named Best in Show Third Place against some very beefy competition.
Blue Note Crossroads Straight Bourbon Finished with Toasted French Oak Review: Tasting Notes
Nose – 4.75/5
The Nose opens with caramel red apples, light molasses notes, and sweet oak. There’s a slight herbal note that adds a bit of freshness, marshmallow goodness and the gentleness of toasted vanilla. The toasted French oak shows up early, enhancing the Nose but is never overpowering. Instead, it supports the sweetness of the Nose.
Palate – 4.5/5
The Palate is layered with toffee, raisin, and burnt sugar leading the way, followed by apricot, baking spice, and some light tannin presumably from the added French oak aging. While the mouthfeel is slightly thin, there’s a richness here that keeps every sip interesting.
Finish – 4.5/5
The Finish is long, warm, and pleasantly dry. Notes of vanilla bean, and soft chocolate linger, followed by a light dusting of tannin tanginess that is quite endearing along with some roasted nuts. The toasted oak Finish leaves a lasting impression without turning bitter, making for a extremely satisfying closeout.
Value – 4.75/5
At around $45, Crossroads offers serious value for a bottle that delivers this level of complexity and polish. It easily stands shoulder to shoulder with more expensive finished bourbons, and the proof point makes it versatile enough for sipping neat or a base to a cocktail.
Blue Note Crossroads Straight Bourbon Finished with Toasted French Oak Review: The Verdict
Blue Note Crossroads is a confident riff on a classic bourbon structure—layered, expressive, and tuned just right. The combination of a solid base bourbon, thoughtful finishing, and approachable proof makes this a standout expression.
It’s the kind of whiskey that plays like a blues melody: grounded in tradition and carried with soul. With the recent Double Gold and Best in Show accolades, Crossroads isn’t an opening act—it’s taking the spotlight. For under $50, I don’t know of another toasted finish bourbon that plays this confident, this full, and this clean.
Verdict – 4.63/5
We score each bourbon based on nose, palate, finish, and value.
Scoring System:
- Platinum – 4.5 – 5
- Gold – 4 – 4.5
- Silver – 3 – 4
- Bronze – <3
Mike Long is a staff writer at Bourbon Inspector and has an Executive Bourbon Steward designation from the Stave and Thief Society. He’s a former “wine guy” who discovered his love for bourbon years back at a spur-of-the-moment bourbon tasting he attended. He also loves traveling throughout America with his wife of over 37 years, Debby.