Sipp’n Corn Tasting Notes: Bluegrass Distillers Bottled-in-Bond Blue Corn Bourbon.

Earlier this fall, Bluegrass Distillers in Lexington (www.bluegrassdistillers.com), released the first ever Kentucky Blue Corn Bottled-in-Bond Bourbon.  Bluegrass Distillers is the only Kentucky distillery that produces a wheated bourbon with 100% blue corn, a non-GMO corn grown locally in Central Kentucky.  Distilling a mash of blue corn can result in a sweeter, nuttier distillate.

This Bottled-in-Bond Blue Corn Bourbon release is comprised of just four 53 gallon barrels, aged 4½ years.  Bluegrass previously released a younger blue corn bourbon in 2017, and a Bottled-in-Bond release with yellow corn, but this is the first Bottled-in-Bond release using blue corn. 

Bluegrass is banking on more blue corn because this past season it grew 25 acres of blue corn in Woodford County, which will one day go into roughly 500 barrels.  To help accommodate that growth, Bluegrass is expanding at the Historic Elkwood Farm in Midway, Kentucky, where it will ultimately relocate in 2022.

Bluegrass Bottled-in-Bond Blue Corn Bourbon Tasting Notes

Bourbon:        Bottled-in-Bond Blue Corn Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Batch 001
Distillery:       Bluegrass Distillers
Age:                4½ years
Mash Bill:      75% blue corn; 21% wheat; 4% malted barley
ABV:              50% (100 proof)
Cost:               $60.00

Appearance:
Amber gold.

Nose:
Sharp cedar, corn mash, spring grass, honeysuckle, and brown sugar.  There’s also some light fruit similar to a non-peated Scotch.

Taste:
Soft wheat behind youthful pepper, pecan nuttiness, and subtle earthiness.

Finish:
Medium finish with lingering herbal and cedar notes, and a bit smokey.

Bottom Line
Wheat can be tough under six years but this doesn’t have the hallmarks of a young wheater.  While I still give younger bourbons plenty of air, this Bluegrass Blue Corn Bottled-in-Bond is unlike any other wheated bourbon that I’ve had.  The earthy, nutty notes are unique and they play well with the brighter fruit and pepper flavors.  Maybe it’s the blue corn, but it’s extremely promising for Bluegrass Distillers and I’m excited for future bottlings.  Definitely check out Bluegrass Distillers!

Disclaimer: The brand managers kindly
sent me a bottle for this review,
without any strings attached. 
Thank you.