Blue Run High Rye Bourbon 750ML is a 111-proof (55.5% ABV) small-batch Kentucky bourbon distilled under the direction of Bourbon Hall of Famer Jim Rutledge. This expression earned Platinum honors at both the 2024 and 2025 ASCOT Awards and Platinum at the 2024 TAG Global Spirits Awards, firmly establishing it among the most decorated high-rye bourbons in recent memory.Quick Facts: ABV: 55.5% (111 Proof) | Origin: Kentucky, USA | Style: Small-Batch High Rye Bourbon | Distillery: Castle & Key (Contract Distilled by Jim Rutledge)Production & HeritageBlue Run Spirits tapped Jim Rutledge — a Bourbon Hall of Fame inductee and the longtime Master Distiller at Four Roses — to serve as contracted Master Distiller for this release, marking his first hands-on distillation work since departing Four Roses. The bourbon was distilled at Castle & Key Distillery in Frankfort, Kentucky, using a mashbill of 65% yellow corn, 30% rye, and 5% malted barley. Only 100 barrels were produced in the first batch, making this a genuinely limited small-batch offering and an important distinction from earlier Blue Run releases where Rutledge served solely as Liquid Advisor rather than overseeing distillation directly.Tasting NotesAroma: The nose opens with a bold wave of caramel and toasted oak, followed by baking spices, pralines, and bright orange peel. Underneath, cherry and subtle tobacco leaf round out a layered, inviting bouquet.Taste: The entry is rich with brown sugar and nuttiness, giving way to a mid-palate of well-balanced white pepper and warming spice driven by that 30% rye content. Stone fruit and dried apricot emerge at the peak, creating a sweet-spicy interplay that avoids becoming one-dimensional despite the high proof.Finish: Long and textured, with herbal white tea notes weaving through peach and clove. Black pepper lingers alongside residual toasted oak, delivering a finish that rewards patience and slowly fades rather than dropping off abruptly.How to Drink Blue Run High RyeAt 111 proof, a few drops of water or a single large ice cube opens up the stone fruit and herbal layers without drowning the proof-driven intensity; neat sipping in a Glencairn is equally rewarding for those who enjoy barrel-strength character. Three cocktails worth trying: Old Fashioned — The brown sugar and baking spice backbone stands up to bitters and simple syrup without losing definition. Boulevardier — High rye spice cuts through Campari's bitterness and sweet vermouth's richness, keeping the drink balanced. Kentucky Mule — The ginger beer amplifies the clove and pepper notes already present in the finish. Best For Gifting a bourbon enthusiast who values limited-production releases Side-by-side tastings comparing high-rye versus traditional mashbill bourbons Celebrating a milestone with a barrel-strength pour that carries critical acclaim Building a curated home bar around award-winning craft-forward American whiskey Frequently Asked QuestionsWhat does Blue Run High Rye taste like? It leads with brown sugar, caramel, and nuttiness before rye-driven white pepper and stone fruit take over, finishing long with herbal white tea, peach, and clove.How does Blue Run High Rye compare to Four Roses Single Barrel? Both reflect Jim Rutledge's distilling philosophy and share similar high-rye mashbills (Blue Run uses 65/30/5 corn-rye-malt versus Four Roses' OBSV recipe at 60/35/5), but Blue Run's smaller 100-barrel batch size and higher 111 proof deliver a bolder, more concentrated flavor profile than most Four Roses single barrel selections.Is Blue Run High Rye good for sipping neat? Yes — despite the 111 proof, reviewers consistently note how well-balanced the sweetness, spice, and fruit components are, making it approachable neat for drinkers experienced with barrel-strength bourbon.Where is Blue Run High Rye made? It is contract distilled at Castle & Key Distillery in Frankfort, Kentucky, under the direct oversight of Master Distiller Jim Rutledge.What foods pair well with Blue Run High Rye? Pecan pie mirrors the praline and brown sugar notes; smoked pork shoulder complements the toasted oak and pepper spice; dark chocolate truffles match the caramel richness; aged Gouda echoes the nuttiness on the palate; and stone fruit tarts reinforce the apricot and peach character in the finish.What sizes does Blue Run High Rye come in? The standard release is a 750ml bottle.Is Blue Run High Rye worth the price? It positions as a premium craft bourbon, and its limited 100-barrel production, Bourbon Hall of Fame pedigree, and multiple Platinum award wins place it competitively among high-end small-batch releases in its price tier.Why Blue Run High Rye?This is the first Blue Run expression where Jim Rutledge personally oversaw distillation at Castle & Key rather than advising on sourced stock — a meaningful distinction that signals a new chapter for the brand. The 100-barrel batch size keeps volume genuinely limited, and the double Platinum wins at ASCOT alongside Platinum at TAG Global Spirits and Gold at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition confirm that critical consensus matches the hype. With a 30% rye mashbill driving spice and complexity at a barrel-strength 111 proof, this bourbon occupies a specific niche: bold enough for seasoned bourbon drinkers, structured enough for thoughtful cocktails, and rare enough that each bottle carries real collectibility.
