Distillery: Bluegrass Distillers, Lexington, KY and Midway, KY
Proof: 95
Age: 8 years
Mashbill: 75% Corn, 21% Wheat, 4% Malted Barley
MSRP: $90
Company
A Lexington attorney, Sam Rock started Bluegrass Distillers in 2012. Rock started about as small as you can get. Rock started with a pressure cooker and a crock pot in his garage. Eventually leasing space inside the Lexington Brewing & Distilling Company. In 2016, Bluegrass Distillers released their first barrels of bourbon into the commercial marketplace.
Production
The primary distilling facility remains inside the Lexington Brewing & Distilling Company in downtown Lexington, KY. In February 2023, BD broke ground on their own distillery. Expected opening is August 2024.
As of this writing, BD has four flagship labels and six limited release labels. All offerings are a similar mashbill, 75% corn; 21% rye or wheat and 4% malted barley.
Bluegrass Distillers – Kentucky Straight Wheated Single Barrel Review: Tasting Notes
Nose 3/5
There is a distinctive bubble gum that pops almost immediately. As with most all wheated bourbons, the signature caramel is present with a little brown sugar thrown in. The nose is understated and not an indication of the awesomeness that is coming.
Palate 4/5
With the high corn and mid-level wheat mash bill, we’d expect sweet an explosion of warm sweet flavors. It does not disappoint and is extremely smooth from the outset. There is a pleasant orange chocolate that is front and center. The hints of a carnalized marshmallow with a touch of smoky campfire goodness shows up in a big way.
Finish 3.75/5
The 95 proof serves as a sweet spot for the finish. It is incredibly smooth, and the finish disappears much like how a wonderful dessert leaves; lingering strong at first but dissipates much too quickly, leaving you wanting more of the goodness that you know is in the next sip. Hints of warm bread and toasted brown sugar.
Value 3.75/5
No matter the label, single barrels give us a unique opportunity to partake in what a Distiller thinks is their finest expression. It is a unique opportunity to experience the convergence of a Distillers application of science, art and the luck of mother nature. That said, I sometimes wonder if Distillers release single barrels just because they can. With this expression, Bluegrass Distillers released a truly extraordinary barrel. At a $95 price point, it is well worth the investment. I’m doubtful it will sit on your shelf for any extended period.
Bluegrass Distillers – Kentucky Straight Wheated Single Barrel Review: The Verdict
4.0/5
We score each bourbon based on nose, palate, finish, and value.
Scoring System:
- Platinum – 4.25 – 5
- Gold – 3.25 – 4.24
- Silver – 2.75 – 3.24
- Bronze – <2.75
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.