Blue Note Crossroads Bourbon Review

Blue Note
Crossroads
Straight Bourbon Whiskey
100 Proof
MSRP: $44.99
Review

Please enjoy our Blue Note Crossroads Review by Laura Becker!

Blue Note Juke Joint Bourbon Distilled in Kentucky but “Crafted” in Memphis by B.R. Distilling Co.

Founded in 2018, Blue Note expressions are a creation of B.R. Distilling Company in Memphis, TN. The distillery states that their whiskey is “born” in Kentucky and then “born again” in Memphis. B. R. Distilling is the oldest licensed distillery in Memphis, licensed as DSP TN 21021 in 2014. It states that the distillery “focuses solely on crafting, aging, bottling and distributing the finest whiskey possible.” Distilling is not mentioned. The Blue Note product line is named for the world-renowned Memphis blues music scene. “Like the blues, Blue Note is bold yet smooth. It embodies Southern culture and Delta Flavor.” Like delicious Memphis barbecue, they believe that aging their barrels of whiskey in the Delta heat and humidity allows for the development of full-bodied bourbons. The Blue Note Whiskey is indeed ”finished with soul.”

The Blue Note bourbon product line has 3 different expressions: Juke Joint, Juke Joint Uncut and Blue Note Crossroads. Limited whiskey releases include Blue Note Premium Small Batch, Blue Note Single Barrel Reserve, Blue Note 2025 Special Reserve and Blue Note 17 year. A 95/5 Blue Note Rye Whiskey is also available.

At the 2024 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, Juke Joint and Crossroads were awarded Platinum medals, a rare honor signifying that each expression has received Double Gold medals for three consecutive years.

The Specifics – Blue Note Crossroads Review

Blue Note Crossroads Bourbon is distilled from a mash bill of 70% corn, 21% rye and 9% malted barley, presumably by Green River Distilling, in Owensboro, Kentucky. However, we couldn’t find the words “Distilled in Kentucky” on the bottle, so that is a bit of a quandary. Nonetheless, the bourbon is then “crafted” (aged and finished) in Memphis, Tennessee. Blue Note Crossroads is unfiltered, and bottled at 100 proof, with no age statement.

Two types of Toasted French Oak staves are used in the finishing process. B.R. Distilling does not disclose how long the staves were utilized in the finishing process. It defines Crossroads as a “unique expression as combining the unmistakable boldness of Blue Note Bourbon with the sophistication of the finest, toasted French oak curated from an artisan cooperage in Centre-Val de Lorge.”  B.R. Distilling states that it is the ‘unforgettable intersection” of Blue Note bourbon and the Toasted French Oak staves that makes this product “embody the inherent spirit of The Blues.” B.R. Distilling Co. emphasizes that their focus is “crafting” the whiskey as the barrels age. The barrels are warehoused north of downtown Memphis, with its own micro-climate of high humidity and steady temperatures.

Tasting Notes – Blue Note Crossroads Bourbon Review

Let’s taste it:

🛏 Rested for 15 minutes in a Glencairn Glass

👉🏻Nose: Honeysuckle, slight acetone that quickly dissipated to pear, vanilla and light oak notes
👉🏻Taste: Full mouthfeel, evolving notes of milk chocolate, butterscotch, vanilla and caramelized pear rounding out to dried cranberry fruit as we move to the finish.
👉🏻Finish: Long, very light white pepper spice, transitions from cranberry to prune, mellow leather and light tobacco flavors

The nose of Blue Note Crossroads Bourbon did not prepare me for the full-bodied flavor on my palate. The nose seemed lighter, and I was not anticipating the delightful complex full range of flavors I experienced from taste to finish. The notes of chocolate and cranberry with a light peppery spice were very well balanced. The finish was long and allowed me to really explore the depths of its flavors. The toasting of the French Oak staves really added extra depth to the tasting profile for this whiskey.

Conclusion

Overall, I found Crossroads Bourbon to have a great deal of complexity in its flavors in this finished whiskey expression. In the past, I have enjoyed toasted whiskeys and whiskeys with French Oak staves. This is an excellent opportunity to try two traditional finishing processes in one product! I found Crossroads to be warm on the palate as I sipped on it. The long finish was exquisite, allowing you to relax into the chocolate, cranberry and leathery flavors. Would I exchange my soul for Blue Note Crossroads?  I think I just might!  Have you had tried Blue Note Crossroads? What did you think? Cheers!🥃

We hope you have enjoyed our Blue Note Crossroads Review by Laura Becker! Would you like to learn more about Green River Distillery? Then check out our Green River Distilling Tour Review! Also, you can read about related whiskeys in our reviews of Blue Note Juke Joint Bourbon and Blue Note Honey Rye Cask Review.

Note: This bottle was graciously provided by the brand for our review. Thank you!

About the Author: Laura Becker, an Executive Bourbon Steward of the Stave & Thief Society, serves on the boards of the Lexington Bourbon Society and Kentucky Bourbon Influencers. Laura also works as a Brand Ambassador for few different distilleries. Lastly, each summer she and her husband, Frank, teach Whisk(e)y education experiences at Chautauqua Institution in New York.

Would you like to learn more about distilleries and bourbon? Are you planning a trip to Kentucky Distilleries? Maybe you would like to live the bourbon life vicariously through us? If any of these are true, then check out BourbonObsessed.com today!