Blue Run Buck & Brush Review: Why This $125 Blend Misses the Mark

BOTTLE DETAILS

• DISTILLER: Produced by Blue Run. Distilled by Bardstown Bourbon Co., Castle & Key Distillery and one undisclosed distillery.
• MASH BILLS: Bourbon, 75% Corn | 21% Rye | 4% Barley; and Rye, 12% Corn | 80% Rye | 8% Barley
• AGES: 5 to 6 years old
• YEAR: 2025
• PROOF: 110.7 (55.35% ABV)
• MSRP: $124.99
• BUY ONLINE: Seelbach's

STEVE'S NOTES

SHARE WITH: Bourbon drinkers, because I want you to pour it for them blind and ask if they'd pay $124.99 for it.

WORTH THE PRICE: No.

BOTTLE, BAR OR BUST: At $125 per bottle, this is a bust.

OVERALL: I don't write a lot of bad reviews on this site because I'd rather lead buyers to bottles I think they'll like, not bottles I suggest they ignore. But sometimes I'm moved to criticize a release, especially when what I'm tasting and what a brand is charging for it don't match at all. This is such a case.

Blue Run's Flight Series III line is a six-item release of rye and bourbon whiskeys ranging from 5 to 6 years old and blended. Owned by Coors Spirits Co., Blue Run's initial move to market was made with well-aged sourced whiskies that, despite their high prices, were, by many accounts, really good. I'll admit, I've never had any of those, but palates I respect gave them high praise.

That praise began dwindling over time, though, as BR's whiskies got younger and prices didn't reduce in step. Many moons ago I got my first taste of why others had become disappointed with the brand when I did a barrel pick of BR bourbon. All four samples were young and unremarkable, but my friend, who arranged the pick, was committed to choose one for a charitable fundraiser, so he kept his commitment.

This Series III Buck & Brush Bourbon & Rye whiskey blend is better than all four of those bourbon samples, but not by a lot. Though I've only had a few bourbon-and-rye blends, all were far more delicious than this. The Knob Creek Bourbon x Rye I reviewed here was terrific, and at $49.99, a great value for 7-year-old rye and 9-year-old bourbon. At $125 per bottle, High West's popular Bourye isn't quite as affordable, but the liquid inside is 10-years-old and friggin' good.

In this case, Blue Run is asking $125 for a whiskey blend that's half Bourye's, age, lacking Bourye's well-earned reputation and triple the price for Knob Creek's iteration–all while delivering a product low on complexity and flavor compared to those.

On the nose, Buck & Brush is super-soft, and no amount of glass time and swishing changes that. Some citrus, oak and rye notes come into play, and little bit of Juicy Fruit gum notes kept me intrigued, but that's about all I got.

On the palate, though, very little is going on beyond toasted oak and honey. It's lean, light and a little spicy. Its youth speaks loudly of its lack of complexity. A couple of drops of water encourage the spice to come forward, but they do nothing to help the whiskey's body or viscosity.

And in case you're wondering how many chances I've given this whiskey to open up and become more aromatic and flavorful, know that I've been sipping on it randomly since receiving it in July. Like a grocery store cashier from whom you can't wring a smile no matter how kindly you greet him, this whiskey produced a similarly flat affect and blank expression for four straight months.

Had this whiskey been priced at $30, I could have cut it a break. I'd have thought, "It's just young. Give it time. Only a few will be mad that they paid $30 for this." But if I paid $125 for this, I'd not be so gracious.

BRAND NOTES

NOSE: A sweet and aromatic burst of citrus that interplays with complex spice.

PALATE: Bright and chewy notes of orange lead, as flavors of cinnamon, sassafras, and spearmint pop on the palate.

FINISH: Rich black cherry intensifies with the heat of black peppercorn spice.

Disclaimer: Bourbon & Banter received a sample of this product from the brand for review. We appreciate their willingness to allow us to review their products with no strings attached. Thank you.