Blue Run Kentucky Straight Emerald Rye

A friend who works for the company that makes this brand keeps sending me bottles. First, a Five Trail, which was alright for its suggested price, but not the $55 it actually costs. Then, their High-Rye Bourbon, which would be okay at $55 but not $100. Recently, my friend asked what bottle I wanted next from the brand's selection. I'm grateful for this gift, and it feels wrong to criticize, but this Emerald Rye, like the High-Rye Bourbon, would be competitive at $55. I'd still pick New Riff single barrel selections or Wild Turkey Rare Breed Rye over it. Alberta Premium at $70 is superior, and Single Barrel Knob Creek Rye at $70 is still better. I suspect Pikesville is also better. I'm not judging the quality, as it's enjoyable, but rather the value. My friend values my honest opinion, which I give him directly. He works for the parent company and is perhaps more lenient. There's a saying about not understanding something when your income depends on not understanding it. I don't think my friend is dishonest about this bottle, though. He had three bottles during our tasting, two I requested and one he chose. We started with this Blue Run Emerald Rye. I believed it was the same recipe as the Blue Run High Rye Bourbon. My guess is the Emerald Rye uses a high-corn mash bill. He confirmed this by tasting both and finding the Emerald Rye more well-rounded and intense. He then poured a glass of New Riff Single Barrel Rye and declared it his favorite, even though the Blue Run bottles cost over $100 and the New Riff is $55. My tasting experience was affected by recovering from a cold, which impaired my sense of smell. The initial aroma was intensely hot. This 115-proof spirit drinks like 130 proof, potentially burning your nose hairs if not aired out. It's not incredibly complex but not bad, with notes of rye spice and mint mingling with a "candied" sweetness. Similar to the High Rye Bourbon, there's a candy cane scent. My taste was also affected, but it leaned sweet for a rye, more like Sazerac than Overholt. It's sweet with some spice, and I prefer spicier ryes. The palate added cola and vanilla to the candy and mint from the nose. The finish is medium, not long, and I prefer longer finishes. It stays hot throughout. My friend suggested its appeal lies in its limited batch and the bragging rights associated with it. Bragging rights are for amateurs; I just want good whiskey. This is acceptable whiskey, but I'd struggle to call it good given the price. Good luck to the brand. I appreciate the free bottles but won't buy them at this price unless the quality significantly improves. As a philosopher once said, misfortune to those who examine a gift horse too closely, lest the gift horse stare back. Or something like that.

Nose: gentle and sweet, with light red fruit, apple, and wheat notes. Quite subdued. Taste: An immediate ethanol punch and prickliness, followed by a wave of oak and pine-forward rye spice. A little water significantly enhances the sweet and floral character. Finish: A rather short finish featuring rich, bitter oak and light rye spice.

Aroma: Faint sweetness with apple and vanilla notes, very little spice. Taste: A strong hit of oak and spice that shifts to oak and green apples. Finish: A brief finish with a spicy herbal rye flavor.

A strong floral aroma and spicy rye notes. The first taste is bold and strong, as described. Adding a cube improves it considerably. It continues with an herbal and grain spice finish.

It's quite good, with a few elusive notes. As usual, I drank it neat.

In my view, it's better without water. It has a bit of warmth, but ice diminishes the flavor.