Blue Run Reflection 1 Bourbon Review

Blue Run
Reflection 1
Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Batch Spring
Proof 95
MSRP: $89.99
Review

Please enjoy our Blue Run Reflection 1 Bourbon review!

Buy at FrootBat!

I originally reviewed Blue Run Reflection 1 Bourbon when I was sent a sample by Blue Run Spirits’ CEO, Mike Montgomery, back in March 2022. I recently realized that the review never made it onto BourbonObsessed.com. So, since I had bought my own bottle, I am tasting it again, updating my review and posting it now.

Reflection 1 Is Nearing It’s End

Blue Run Reflection 1 Bourbon was first released in May 2022, which is a little over a year ago. The bottles that are in distribution now are all that is left of it, so if you would like a bottle, now is the time to buy one. Reflection 2 will likely be coming out later this year.

Why Call It Reflection 1

Why the name reflection? During the two years prior to the release of Reflection 1, two of Blue Run Spirits’ founders faced personal challenges. This is the bourbon that they drank during that time, reflecting on things that really mattered the most.

Reflection 1 Bourbon Was Distilled At Castle & Key Distillery

Blue Run Reflection 1 was distilled by Jim Rutledge at Castle & Key Distillery back in 2018. It was aged in char 3 and char 4 barrels, in both Bardstown and Frankfort, Kentucky. The final bourbon is a blend of 200 barrels, bottled at 95 proof.

Tasting Notes – Blue Run Reflection 1 Bourbon Review

Let’s taste it:

🛌 Rested for 15 minutes in a Glencairn

👉Nose: Dark cherries, bit of cinnamon, mild rye spices, touch of barrel char; light cedar; subtle caramel and butterscotch appear later on; honey sweetness; mild-moderate alcohol
👉Taste: Light black tea, subtle dark cherries, soft caramel and butterscotch with a honey sweetness and hint of gingersnaps later on; lingering cinnamon; a bit of dry oak, too
👉Finish: The flavors continue into the fairly long finish for the proof. Dry oak becomes more noticeable and white pepper, as well as some barrel char, are added. The spice and char build, and white pepper lingers on my tongue for quite some time. Mild burn.

There is both fruit and spice in the nose, although I do get some butterscotch and soft caramel, too; they are fleeting, and more evident after I have had a few sips. The mouthfeel is soft and flavorful. But then, quite a bit of white pepper spice, along with barrel char and dry oak, build in the finish.

Another Enjoyable Blue Run Bourbon

Reflection 1 Bourbon is another enjoyable bourbon from Blue Run Spirits, although it’s different from the earlier “high rye” bourbons, and the 13-14 year old releases. As Reflection 1 was distilled in 2018 and released in 2022, it is around 4 years old. However, in the taste, there is the brief suggestion of some older flavors. Perhaps some of the older stock was blended in?

Remember, Blue Run Reflection 1 is no longer being produced, but is still available in stores. So, if this bourbon sounds like something you might like, you’ll need to get out and get a bottle before it is all gone…forever!

Are you a Blue Run Spirits fan? As someone who has bought every major release so far, I can say that I sure am! Cheers!🥃

Buy Blue Run Reflection 1 at FrootBat!

We hope you have enjoyed our Blue Run Reflection 1 Bourbon review! Would you like to read about some other Blue Run whiskeys? Check out our Blue Run High Rye Bourbon Review, Blue Run Golden Rye Review and Blue Run Emerald Rye Review!

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!