Blue Run unveils first release by Bourbon Hall-of-Famer Jim Rutledge as Master Distiller

Blue Run High Rye Bourbon
Courtesy Image

Blue Run Kentucky Straight High Rye Bourbon is a small-batch whiskey and is the first Blue Run product with Bourbon Hall of Famer Jim Rutledge overseeing the production (on all previous Blue Run products, except Golden Rye, Jim served as the Liquid Advisor). Rutledge distilled this batch at Castle & Key Distillery. He is an American Whiskey legend whose distilling career spans over 40 years – notable tenures at Seagram’s followed by Four Roses.

“For a four-year-old Bourbon, I’m impressed with the quality of this release, and I look forward to evaluating the subsequent releases of these barrels – after additional maturation.”

– Jim Rutledge

Jim Rutledge Master Distiller
Bourbon Hall of a Fame Master Distiller, Jim Rutledge. Courtesy

ONLINE AVAILABILITY: It’s worth checking bluerunspirits.com, which does sell product online but is currently listed as OUT OF STOCK.

Blue Run Kentucky Straight High Rye Bourbon is distilled from a 65% Yellow Corn, 30% Rye, 5% Malted Barley mash bill. Per the brand, just 100 carefully selected barrels were chosen for this bottling, each toasted to a #4 alligator char and aged in Frankfort and Bardstown, KY. Blue Run High Rye Bourbon clocks in at 111 proof.

“As we celebrate our one-year anniversary as a company, we wanted to release something that really made a statement and honored the deep traditions of whiskey making,” said Mike Montgomery, CEO and cofounder of Blue Run Spirits. “The legendary Jim Rutledge helped us craft a bold, spicy Bourbon that even at 111 proof is incredibly sippable, with a pronounced, memorable finish. We are very excited to see how these barrels evolve over time for subsequent bottlings.”