Blue Note Wheated Bourbon Review

Distillery: Distillate by Green River Distilling – Owensboro, Kentucky. Aged and bottled by B.R. Distilling Company – Memphis, Tennessee

Proof: 101.0 (50.5% ABV)

Age: At least Four Years

Mashbill: 70% Corn, 21% Wheat, 9% Malted Barley

MSRP: $45

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A Wheated Bourbon That Pushes Harder Than Expected

There are certain expectations that naturally come with the phrase “wheated bourbon.”  Most enthusiasts immediately think softer.  Sweeter.  Less sharp edges.  Easier sipping.

Blue Note Wheated Bourbon certainly begins in that direction.

Produced from Green River Distilling’s wheated bourbon mashbill and later aged and bottled by B.R. Distilling Company in Memphis, Tennessee, this 2026 release enters with a fairly approachable set of specifications on paper.  The mashbill of 70% corn, 21% wheat, and 9% malted barley suggests a sweeter profile with reduced spice influence compared to a traditional rye bourbon.  The unfiltered presentation hints at additional mouthfeel and richness.  And at a $45 MSRP, Blue Note positions itself directly inside an increasingly competitive wheated bourbon category.

But once the whiskey actually hits the glass, it quickly becomes clear this is not attempting to be a gentle wheater.

Instead, it feels far more interested in delivering intensity and presence than it is in creating a soft or relaxed sipping experience.  The hot & humid Memphis aging appears to push the whiskey toward a louder profile.  One that emphasizes sweetness up front before a much sharper spice profile through the back half of the sip.

That contrast ultimately defines much of the tasting experience.

Blue Note Wheated Bourbon Review: Tasting Notes

Nose – 4.0/5

Caramel candy.  Tootsie Roll.  Warm confectionary-like notes. Dessert-forward aroma.
Strengths:  Defined sweetness.  Recognizable confectionary identity.  Sweetness is more rich than delicate.
Why It’s Not Higher:  Remains centered primarily around dessert-style sweetness.  No significant expansion into more complexity.
Rating Justification:  Delivers a clear and enjoyable identity.  Maintains enough richness to support the 101-proof point.

Palate – 3.7/5

Sweet entry.  Coating texture.  Expanding spice.  Red spice character.  Rising heat through the back half.
Strengths:  Strong mouthfeel.  Starts sweet.  Moves quickly and with significant energy as spice progression creates an unexpected intensity.
Why It’s Not Higher:  Proof overshadows the flavor development and limits overall balance.
Rating Justification: Succeeds at delivering intensity and presence.  Sharp alcohol influence prevents it from feeling fully refined.

Finish – 3.5/5

Lingering red spice.  Drying warmth.  Quick tapering finish.
Strengths:  Memorable spice impression.  Maintains the bold personality.
Why It’s Not Higher:  Quick taper.  Raw edge.  Lacks a polished feeling.
Rating Justification:  Maintains intensity.  Lacks refinement.  Rawness.

Value – 4.0/5

At $45, Blue Note Wheated Bourbon offers solid value for drinkers looking for a wheated bourbon that leans more aggressive and proof-forward than traditional softer wheaters.

This is not a whiskey attempting to compete with ultra-soft, easy-drinking wheated profiles.  Instead, it offers a more assertive expression that will likely appeal more to enthusiasts who enjoy higher intensity and stronger spice presence within a sweeter bourbon framework.

Blue Note Wheated Bourbon Review: The Verdict

Blue Note Wheated Bourbon is an interesting whiskey because it challenges many of the assumptions that naturally come with a wheated bourbon pour.

The sweet dessert-driven Nose strongly suggests softness and restraint.  The Palate and Finish move in a very different direction.  Rather than settling into a smooth sipping experience, this whiskey becomes increasingly assertive as the sip develops, pushing spice and alcohol intensity much harder than many wheated bourbon drinkers may expect.

Those looking for a softer everyday wheater will likely find the proof and spice profile more aggressive than anticipated.  But enthusiasts who enjoy bolder bourbon profiles may appreciate the fact that Blue Note chose personality and intensity over playing it safe.

The result is a whiskey that clearly knows what it wants to be, even if it does not fully land every part of the experience with equal refinement.

Verdict – 3.8/5

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