Blue Note Juke Joint Survival Barrel showdown Pt. 1
Blue Note Juke Joint Survival Barrel showdown Pt.1
I recently acquired quite a few of these survival barrels from blue note and I have to tell you. For the price, this stuff can't be beat. if you want to learn a little more of the story of these barrels, check out https://www.facebook.com/bluenotebourbon/videos/youve-heard-the-survivor-story-of-blue-note-uncut-but-have-you-tried-it-yetlike-/839284313392060/
So for this one, we're just gonna pick five(I may do this in 2 parts. Like I said I got a lot) bottles and do a tasting review on them. Hopefully I can guide you on which ones match your palate.
121.3 proof. Barrel#17446
N: (7) Sweet ethanol leads into toasted vanilla. Slight hint of bananas. It's bright and vibrant with a sense that it wants to be dark and unapproachable. It's high proof is very evident but not unpleasant. It just gives off a feeling that if you get too close, it'll bite back. Down in the glass, hints of cherries, stone-fruit, and melons emerge, as well as some floral notes. It also has an overarching note that is both sour and broad.
P: (7) Melons, fresh rubber tire, apples, oak, and dark tannins.
F: (6) Very sweet and deep but a little monotone and finishes quick and dry.
O: (20) Honestly quite an enjoyable pour. That toasted vanilla/dark rubbery aroma is kind of my jam. I expected a little more from such a bold choice of pick sticker title but I'm not really mad for what a good value these are. Upon coming back for a follow up smell, I did pick up a little coffee note.
122 proof. Barrel#17217
N: (9) The nose is very inviting and pleasant for its high proof. Apples, cinnamon, slight ethanol, and oak, meld with deep Wild Turkey-esque vanilla with a hint of nail polish. It smells creamy.
P: (8) Bright apple and cinnamon spice. Tastes like an orange striped apple.
F: (9) Some darker/industrial flavors emerge. Nail polish becomes more prominent than ever. The finish is medium in length and tells a nice story. This one also finishes dry at the very end.
O: (26) Very lovely pick here. I could have this as a daily drinker.
118.7 proof. Barrel#17110
N: (8) Slightly higher ethanol on the nose but it's hiding a couple of familiar aromas. It's gonna take me a second to see if I recognize them. A little caramel, a little stewed berry, and that signature vanilla are all here. I feel like on the side of the glass, I am smelling a familiar candy. Like tootsie rolls or cream soda or something like that. I can't quite put my finger on it.
P: (7) Light at first. Then apples emerge. Very oaky.
F: (6) Wow. Wtf was that. This just did a 180. It's almost unrecognizable on the finish. It gets very rubbery and dark right away and it's a little hard to pay attention after that. It has a less tannic finish than the rest and has some cherry in the mix.
O: (21) Ok. I'll give it points for being interesting but I'm afraid this one is served better in a bar. I kind of get the feeling that although it tells a story full of twists and turns, at the end of the day, you only want to hear that story once or twice.
120.8 proof. Barrel# 16834
N: (7) Slightly leathery. Soft ethanol. All of the aromas are slightly turned down so it's not as in your face but still enjoyable. I pick up that vanilla once again. Hints of bubblegum and marzipan are present along side a soft oaky note. Little nail polish remover scent lurks in the depths and on the sides of the glass. There's also a slight grassy funk to it.
P: (7) Nail polish, red delicious apple skin, pears, and bitter oak.
F: (8) Heavy on the sweet industrial flavors. Quickly changes to floral and fruity melon notes. finishes sweet and very slightly tannic.
O: (22) This one was a little all over the place but pleasant along the way. I don't mind that industrial(superglue, nail polish, spray-paint) thing as long as it has the sweetness paired with it.
119.3 proof. Barrel#16331
N: (8) This one is notably different. It punches you with tart green apple first. Then it jabs you with ethanol right in the throat. What a way to meet. It then begins to suture your wounds with a warm vanilla and caramel hug and a soothing oak bath. You feel refreshed.
P: (8) Warmer than expected. Red apple and marshmallows with slight bit of oak
F: (8) More apples drive the point home with warm apple pie. Some cherries, and a lingering oaky finish.
O: (24) This was the most unified of the bunch. It told a coherent story and wasn't all over the place. Probably my favorite on terms of the whole thing.
That was a pretty tasty lineup. I'm looking forward to reviewing yet another 5 picks from them. Until then... Cheers!
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