Blue Run Bourbon Aged 13 Years Review

Blue Run
Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Aged 13 Years
113 proof
Hand Bottled in Sparta, KY by Blue Run Spirits, LLC
Review

Please enjoy our Blue Run 13 Year Bourbon Review!

Buy on Frootbat

Blue Run Bourbon Aged 13 Years is Blue Runs Spirits‘ first release. According to their website: “The banks of Kentucky’s Royal Spring — what cofounder Jesse McKnight called the “Blue Run” as a kid — with its pure, limestone-filtered water, seemed like the perfect place to start. After all, as the birthplace of bourbon in 1789, the Blue Run is steeped in more than two centuries of distilling history. And now, it’s where bourbon is being reborn.”

The story alludes to the fact that Elijah Craig (who legend has it is the father of bourbon) started his distillery in what is now Georgetown, KY back in 1789, and used water from the Royal Spring. Coincidentally, Elijah Craig was prior to that pastor of the Blue Run Church, although that was not located in Georgetown.

Since Blue Run Bourbon is bottled in Sparta, KY, we have to assume that refers to Neeley Family Distillery, as they are the only ones licensed to do so in that town. The source of the bourbon is not disclosed.

Jim Rutledge, world renowned former master distiller at Four Roses, is listed as Blue Run’s “Liquid Advisor”. He is in charge of their barrel selection process and distills their new make bourbon. That’s good enough for me, so I bought a bottle.

Tasting Notes

Let’s taste it:

🛌 Rested for 15 minutes in a Glencairn

👉Nose: Rich vanilla and caramel, rye spices, pine & cedar, a hint of grapefruit and plums, moderate alcohol
👉Taste: Caramel, rye spices, light sweetness which gives way to dryness, hint of black tea, oak & char; moderately full mouthfeel
👉Finish: Long dry finish with oak, cedar, char and moderate alcohol burn

Summary

When I first nosed Blue Run Bourbon, I felt like I was in a vanilla, pine & cedar forest. The nose is amazing; full and rich, with a touch of fruit. The taste and finish have an increasing dryness with plenty of oak. Overall this is an enjoyable bourbon. It does show its age, and actually seems maybe even a bit older than 13 years to me. If those flavors appeal to you, then definitely give it a try. Have you had this bourbon? What did you think? Cheers!🥃

Buy on Frootbat

We hope you have enjoyed our Blue Run 13 Year Bourbon Review! If you would like to read about more Blue Run Bourbons, then check out our Blue Run 13.5 Year Bourbon Review, Blue Run Golden Rye Review and our Blue Run High Rye Bourbon Review!

Don’t forget to follow Bourbon Obsessed on Instagram and/or like Bourbon Obsessed on Facebook!

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!

Want to read about another well aged bourbon? Check out our review of Old Soul Bourbon Aged 15 Years!