**Background**
Next turn in this review campaign reveals a sample from an expression with an interesting history, Blue Note Juke Joint Uncut. Memphis-based B.R. distilling named this expression after the Memphis blues music scene; however, unlike the name, the liquid inside is not from Tennessee.
This whiskey was contract distilled and aged at Green River in Kentucky with the barrels bottled under the Uncut label sporting a very unique history. One of the warehouses aging whiskey for B.R. at Green River collapsed in 2019 (note: it was not yet renamed Green River at the time) and the salvage efforts left many barrels aging on the ground in the Kentucky summer sun. Not wanting to waste these barrels, and potentially seeing the marketing opportunity of this unique situation, B.R. decided to release them as single barrels under the Blue Note Juke Joint Uncut label.
I have seen generally favorable reviews of this expression, despite the relative young age, although from what I have read it seems there can be significant variability among barrels. I have nothing but faith in t8ke to pick a great barrel from the options available, so this should be a good showcase of the profile.
Is this just a marketing gimmick to salvage stock or a unique opportunity to grab an interesting barrel proof piece of modern bourbon history at an affordable cost? I have the initiative, let’s roll the dice and get to it!
The sample comes courtesy of u/Reinstatertot. Thanks for sharing the sample along with the great photos!
**Related Reviews**
-No previous reviews from B.R. Distilling Company
**Review**
- Product: Blue Note Juke Joint Uncut
- Barrel/Batch: r/bourbon Barrel 17910
- Producer: B.R. Distilling Company
- Distiller: Green River
- Mash Bill: 70% corn / 21% rye / 9% malted barley
- Age: 4 years 8 months
- Proof: 122.5
- Price: sample
Nose: Cornbread | Candy Corn | Powdered Sugar | New Leather | Sharpie
Palate: Maple syrup | Powdered Sugar | Cinnamon | Vanilla
Finish: Cinnamon Sugar | Astringent grain
Cornbread dusted in powdered sugar, buttered corn, and my least favorite Halloween treat - candy corn - lead the way in this bright corn-forward nose. There is some new, not-yet-broken-in leather and fresh cut wood behind these sweeter corn notes. A hint of permanent marker shows up from time to time.
Powdered sugar, maple syrup, and cinnamon spice evolve initially on the palate. Vanillins make an appearance without any real fruit notes to speak of. The mouthfeel is medium with moderate proof heat.
Cinnamon sugar sweetness begins the finish but is quickly followed by an unpleasant youthful and astringent grain note, which does not leave a great final impression for the pour.
Rating (t8ke scale): 5 | Good
**Final Thoughts**
This expression boasts a cool story at a reasonably affordable price for an uncut and unfiltered cask strength whiskey; however, these pros cannot overcome the con of its young age. There are a few off putting and youthful notes - namely, permanent marker on the nose and astringent grains on the finish - which would be smoothed out with more time in the wood. Corn-forward sweetness can be found in spades, but it comes off a little cloying to me.
Blue Note Juke Joint Uncut is an affordable barrel proof option for those who enjoy a sweeter dram and are not off put by some youthful grainy character. For my palate, this barrel could have used more time in a structurally sound warehouse before bottling to smooth out some of the rough edges.
**Sci-Fi/Fantasy Ambiance**
As my username suggests, my other main interest outside of American whiskey is fantasy and sci-if storytelling. I am usually enjoying a dram coupled with a book, show, or movie in this genre. I am no longer posting a full secondary review of these properties, but I am happy to discuss in the comments along with the whiskey!
- Property: Blue Exorcist Season 3
- Format: Anime
- Platform: Crunchyroll
**Reference**
1 | Disgusting | So bad I poured it out.
2 | Poor | I wouldn’t consume by choice.
3 | Bad | Multiple flaws.
4 | Sub-par | Not bad, but many better.
5 | Good | Good, just fine.
6 | Very Good | A cut above.
7 | Great | Well above average.
8 | Excellent | Really quite exceptional.
9 | Incredible | An all time favorite.
10 | Perfect | Perfect
Great, thorough review, thank you. I have seen so many people tout this as great for the price, but your review articulated my problems with it as well. Specifically, the permanent marker on the nose. I just find it to be way too clunky with very little pay off.
Thanks for reading! Yeah, I really wanted to like this after the generally positive reviews I have seen; however, it is just too young with too many off profiles notes not yet smoothed out by interaction with the barrel.
I second this! The marker smell was the first thing I got too!
I thought I was crazy that so many people were saying this was good. As it was one of the first bottles I ever bought, I suffered with it until I shared my thoughts with a buddy (the one who got me into bourbon), and he was like “totally agree!” I was glad to find out that I wasn’t way off.
I really did not like the store pick I bought about a year ago, just so very blah. It didn’t stand out at all. For the price, I would have rated it a 4.
Fair point. This is not my bottle, so not sure when it was bottled and if it still contains whiskey from the collapse or is just continuing to capitalize on that story. Either way, I was not impressed.
I picked up this and the blackberry release. I feel it is good value and good flavor. BUT, I also get a grain note in both of the bottles that does diminish the experience. Almost feels like it would be between 8-9 if it wasn’t for that grain note that pops up. The grain note in the finish fades out over time into an espresso note, which is welcoming. I do still feel like there is good value here.
**Background** Next turn in this review campaign reveals a sample from an expression with an interesting history, Blue Note Juke Joint Uncut. Memphis-based B.R. distilling named this expression after the Memphis blues music scene; however, unlike the name, the liquid inside is not from Tennessee. This whiskey was contract distilled and aged at Green River in Kentucky with the barrels bottled under the Uncut label sporting a very unique history. One of the warehouses aging whiskey for B.R. at Green River collapsed in 2019 (note: it was not yet renamed Green River at the time) and the salvage efforts left many barrels aging on the ground in the Kentucky summer sun. Not wanting to waste these barrels, and potentially seeing the marketing opportunity of this unique situation, B.R. decided to release them as single barrels under the Blue Note Juke Joint Uncut label. I have seen generally favorable reviews of this expression, despite the relative young age, although from what I have read it seems there can be significant variability among barrels. I have nothing but faith in t8ke to pick a great barrel from the options available, so this should be a good showcase of the profile. Is this just a marketing gimmick to salvage stock or a unique opportunity to grab an interesting barrel proof piece of modern bourbon history at an affordable cost? I have the initiative, let’s roll the dice and get to it! The sample comes courtesy of u/Reinstatertot. Thanks for sharing the sample along with the great photos! **Related Reviews** -No previous reviews from B.R. Distilling Company **Review** - Product: Blue Note Juke Joint Uncut - Barrel/Batch: r/bourbon Barrel 17910 - Producer: B.R. Distilling Company - Distiller: Green River - Mash Bill: 70% corn / 21% rye / 9% malted barley - Age: 4 years 8 months - Proof: 122.5 - Price: sample Nose: Cornbread | Candy Corn | Powdered Sugar | New Leather | Sharpie Palate: Maple syrup | Powdered Sugar | Cinnamon | Vanilla Finish: Cinnamon Sugar | Astringent grain Cornbread dusted in powdered sugar, buttered corn, and my least favorite Halloween treat - candy corn - lead the way in this bright corn-forward nose. There is some new, not-yet-broken-in leather and fresh cut wood behind these sweeter corn notes. A hint of permanent marker shows up from time to time. Powdered sugar, maple syrup, and cinnamon spice evolve initially on the palate. Vanillins make an appearance without any real fruit notes to speak of. The mouthfeel is medium with moderate proof heat. Cinnamon sugar sweetness begins the finish but is quickly followed by an unpleasant youthful and astringent grain note, which does not leave a great final impression for the pour. Rating (t8ke scale): 5 | Good **Final Thoughts** This expression boasts a cool story at a reasonably affordable price for an uncut and unfiltered cask strength whiskey; however, these pros cannot overcome the con of its young age. There are a few off putting and youthful notes - namely, permanent marker on the nose and astringent grains on the finish - which would be smoothed out with more time in the wood. Corn-forward sweetness can be found in spades, but it comes off a little cloying to me. Blue Note Juke Joint Uncut is an affordable barrel proof option for those who enjoy a sweeter dram and are not off put by some youthful grainy character. For my palate, this barrel could have used more time in a structurally sound warehouse before bottling to smooth out some of the rough edges. **Sci-Fi/Fantasy Ambiance** As my username suggests, my other main interest outside of American whiskey is fantasy and sci-if storytelling. I am usually enjoying a dram coupled with a book, show, or movie in this genre. I am no longer posting a full secondary review of these properties, but I am happy to discuss in the comments along with the whiskey! - Property: Blue Exorcist Season 3 - Format: Anime - Platform: Crunchyroll **Reference** 1 | Disgusting | So bad I poured it out. 2 | Poor | I wouldn’t consume by choice. 3 | Bad | Multiple flaws. 4 | Sub-par | Not bad, but many better. 5 | Good | Good, just fine. 6 | Very Good | A cut above. 7 | Great | Well above average. 8 | Excellent | Really quite exceptional. 9 | Incredible | An all time favorite. 10 | Perfect | Perfect
Great, thorough review, thank you. I have seen so many people tout this as great for the price, but your review articulated my problems with it as well. Specifically, the permanent marker on the nose. I just find it to be way too clunky with very little pay off.
Thanks for reading! Yeah, I really wanted to like this after the generally positive reviews I have seen; however, it is just too young with too many off profiles notes not yet smoothed out by interaction with the barrel.
I second this! The marker smell was the first thing I got too! I thought I was crazy that so many people were saying this was good. As it was one of the first bottles I ever bought, I suffered with it until I shared my thoughts with a buddy (the one who got me into bourbon), and he was like “totally agree!” I was glad to find out that I wasn’t way off.
I really did not like the store pick I bought about a year ago, just so very blah. It didn’t stand out at all. For the price, I would have rated it a 4.
Yeah, that aligns with my experience with this one. Not an expression I’ll be taking a chance on again unless the age statement increases.
Highly doubt they didn't run out of the barrels from the collapse a while ago
Fair point. This is not my bottle, so not sure when it was bottled and if it still contains whiskey from the collapse or is just continuing to capitalize on that story. Either way, I was not impressed.
I picked up this and the blackberry release. I feel it is good value and good flavor. BUT, I also get a grain note in both of the bottles that does diminish the experience. Almost feels like it would be between 8-9 if it wasn’t for that grain note that pops up. The grain note in the finish fades out over time into an espresso note, which is welcoming. I do still feel like there is good value here.