Blue Note Wheated Bourbon Review

Blue Note
Wheated Bourbon
Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Unfiltered
Aged 4+ Years (NAS)
101 Proof
SRP: $44.99
Review by Craig and Cynthia

Please enjoy our Blue Note Wheated Bourbon Review by Craig and Cynthia!

Background – Blue Note Wheated Bourbon Review

Distilled in the heart of Kentucky but uniquely influenced by the climate of the Mississippi River Delta, Blue Note Bourbon has steadily evolved from a hidden gem into a high-priority target for serious whiskey enthusiasts. Aged by B.R. Distilling Company in Memphis, Tennessee, their lineup leverages an aggressive riverfront microclimate that forces the liquid deep into the wood, delivering accelerated extraction and an oily mouthfeel that punches far above its age statement.

For this release, Blue Note swapped out the usual spicy rye for wheat (70% corn, 21% wheat, 9% malted barley). Bottled unfiltered at a stout 101 proof, it keeps all the rich oils and fats that chill-filtering strips away.

Details – Blue Note Wheated Bourbon at 101 Proof

• Producer: B.R. Distilling Company
• Brand: Blue Note Bourbon
• Release: Wheated Bourbon
• Type: Straight Bourbon Whiskey
• Batching: Small batch blend
• Distilled: Kentucky
• Crafted and Aged: Memphis, Tennessee
• Age: NAS (4+ years)
• Mash Bill: 70% corn, 21% wheat and 9% malted barley
• Proof: 101 proof (50.5% ABV)
• Filtration: Unfiltered
• Release Date: April 2026
• Release Size: Approximately 2,800 cases
• Bottle Size: 750 mL
• SRP: $44.99
• Availability: Select U.S. markets and online
• Brand Website: BlueNoteBourbon.com

Tasting Notes – Blue Note Wheated Bourbon Review

Let’s taste it:

🛏 Rested: 15 minutes in a Glencairn glass
🎨 Color: Light amber

👉🏻 Nose (Craig): Fairly muted, with notes of cinnamon, cloves, bread, and light peppercorn
👉🏻 Nose (Cynthia): Dry Golden Grahams cereal

👉🏻 Taste (Craig): Young wood, notes of store-bought bread, very light cinnamon, canned iced tea, slight bitterness
👉🏻 Taste (Cynthia): Store-bought unsweetened black iced tea, cinnamon, and cloves.

👉🏻 Finish (Craig): Short, bitterness stands out.
👉🏻 Finish (Cynthia): Short

Craig’s Blue Note Wheated Bourbon Review – Cinnamon, Bread and Black Tea

On the nose, Blue Note Wheated Bourbon starts out fairly quiet and muted. It leads with soft notes of cinnamon, cloves, and a heavy, bready backbone, chased by just a slight hint of black peppercorn. Nosing it neat does not reveal a whole lot, but adding a single drop of water opens things up, sharpening that peppercorn note and pulling out an unexpected earthy, fresh-cut grass aroma.

When you take a sip neat, the palate is driven by young wood and more doughy bread notes. A distinct bitterness hits the mid-palate, closely mimicking the flavor of Angostura aromatic bitters, which is then followed by a very light touch of cinnamon and an unsweetened, canned iced tea flavor. Adding a drop of water does wonders for the taste, knocking down that bitter edge to make the entire pour much more rounded and balanced while allowing the cinnamon notes to step forward and shine.

Cynthia’s Blue Note Wheated Bourbon Review – Water Unlocks an Oily, Balanced Pour

A dram of Blue Note Wheated Bourbon at 101 proof starts with a bit of a punch. Strong cereal and bread notes hit right out of the bottle. If you give it a moment in the glass, those loud aromas settle into something much more subtle and inviting, reminiscent of a freshly opened box of Golden Grahams, without the milk, of course.

The neat pour is surprisingly crisp, tasting closely of unsweetened black tea with a warm, bready backbone. As you continue sipping, lingering cinnamon and clove spices start coming out.

A few drops of water completely elevate the pour. The texture turns noticeably oily, coating the palate and allowing all the individual flavors (the tea, the baking spice, and the grain) to explode together in a cohesive, beautifully balanced pour. The finish stays relatively short whether you drink it neat or proofed down, making for a very clean sip.

Craig’s Conclusion – A Versatile 101-Proof Wheated Bourbon

Ultimately, Blue Note Wheated Bourbon is a pour that takes a little work to unlock. Drinking it neat left me wanting more, as the nose stays fairly quiet and a bitter note pops up on the mid-palate. However, a few drops of water did make a difference. A small splash tames that bitterness, rounds out the flavors, and brings the cinnamon notes forward, giving it a much more balanced flavor.

While it might not be my top choice for a neat pour, it shines in other areas. At 101 proof, it has the perfect amount of backbone to stand up in your favorite cocktail without getting lost. If you love wheated bourbons and want a high-proof spirit that can punch through sweet vermouth or citrus, this bottle earns a solid spot on your bar cart.

Cynthia’s Conclusion – A Crisp, Easygoing Bourbon for Summer Sipping

As someone who does not typically lean toward wheated bourbons, this pour did not entirely convert my personal palate preferences, but I certainly would not turn down a glass if offered. What makes it work so well is that crisp, unsweetened black tea character. Because of that profile, I would gladly pour this over a large block of ice in my double-walled Tervis on a warm summer afternoon and drink it on my back deck, letting the slow melt soften the spice and stretch out those refreshing notes. It is an easygoing, accessible pour that fits a summer vibe perfectly. If you are a fan of wheated bourbons or just looking for something crisp to sip in the heat, this is definitely one to check out.

Have you tried Blue Note Wheated Bourbon? What did you think? Cheers!🥃

We hope you have enjoyed our Blue Note Wheated Bourbon Review by Craig and Cynthia! Next, why not read these related reviews: Blue Note Honey Rye Cask Review (2025), Blue Note Crossroads Bourbon Review and our Blue Note Juke Joint Bourbon Whiskey Review.

Note: This sample was graciously provided by the Brand for our review. We appreciate it!

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