Some whiskey bottles disappear from the shelf before most people know they exist. That is what happened to the Honey Bourbon and Honey Rye Cask Whiskeys from Blue Note Bourbon in Memphis, Tennessee. Both sold out fast in each of the past two years. Now the third annual release is here, and the company behind it says it has raised the number of bottles by a wide margin. Anyone who missed out before has a better shot this time.
Image credit: Blue Note
The news came out of Memphis on September 21, 2026, from B.R. Distilling Co., the maker of Blue Note. The company calls Blue Note an award-winning whiskey brand that honors the blues music Memphis is known for. The two honey whiskeys are limited releases, so they will not stay around forever.
What Is Honey Cask Whiskey?
The idea is simple, even if the work behind it takes months. Blue Note takes its straight bourbon and its straight rye and finishes each one in American Oak barrels that were first seasoned with honey. The honey is a wildflower barrel-aged honey, and the barrels hold it for six to nine months.
Once the wood has soaked up that honey character, the barrels get emptied of it and welcome the whiskey. In the words of the company, the bourbon and rye come back to the casks "for an encore." The whiskey then picks up flavor from the honey-soaked oak.
The company says the result is two different whiskeys with layers of golden honey, spice, toasted oak, and caramel sweetness. The Blue Note depth and character still come through, according to the release. The goal is a pour that is bold and smooth at the same time.
A Word From the Top
Chris Crosbie, Chief Executive Officer of B.R. Distilling Co., spoke about the third annual release. "Our third annual Honey Bourbon and Honey Rye Cask Whiskeys, which are crafted in Memphis, are a testament to the creativity and craftsmanship that goes into every bottle we produce," said Chris Crosbie, Chief Executive Officer, B.R. Distilling Co. "Every sip strikes the perfect note between spice and sweetness—finished with soul."
The Numbers Behind the Bottles
Whiskey drinkers who like to know what is in the glass will want the details. The two expressions are built on different recipes.
Honey Bourbon
Image credit: Blue Note
The Honey Bourbon has a mash bill of 70% corn, 21% wheat, and 9% malted barley. Corn as the main grain is typical for bourbon, and the wheat is often linked to a softer, gentler taste. The whiskey was finished at 117.8 proof, which is 58.9% ABV. It is also unfiltered.
Honey Rye
Image credit: Blue Note
The Honey Rye Whiskey has a mash bill of 95% rye and 5% malted barley. That is almost all rye, which usually means more spice. It was finished at 119.6 proof, or 59.8% ABV, and it is unfiltered too.
Both whiskeys are bottled at high proof and without filtering. That tells a drinker two things. These are strong pours, and a little water or a large ice cube may open them up for those who want it. The honey finish is meant to balance that strength with some natural sweetness.
How Many Bottles, and How Much
Last year's sell-outs are the reason the company changed its plans. For the 2026 release, about 2,500 cases of both the Honey Bourbon and the Honey Rye are available. The company describes that as a significant increase in allocation.
The suggested retail price is $64.99 for each bottle. The whiskeys can be bought online at BlueNoteBourbon.com and in select U.S. markets.
There is also something new this year. For the first time, the team is offering single barrels of both expressions. These are described as extremely limited and unique, and they will show up in the market at select retailers. Anyone who wants one will likely need to ask around at local liquor stores that carry specialty bottles.
Made in Memphis, Aged in the Heat
Blue Note's whiskey is distilled in partnership with Lofted Spirits, the parent company of Green River Distilling Company. The aging happens back in Memphis, just north of downtown, where the Mississippi and Wolf Rivers come together.
Weather plays a big part in how the whiskey turns out. Memphis has long summers with what the company calls "infamous" heat, followed by cooler evenings. That swing in temperature pushes the whiskey deep into the oak. The company says this gives Blue Note an unmistakably rich flavor that is bold, yet smooth.
The Rest of the Blue Note Lineup
The honey casks are not the only limited bottles Blue Note has put out. Over the years, the brand has released several highly awarded limited offerings. These include:
- Premium Small Batch
- Single Barrel Reserve
- 17-year
- Special Reserve
- Single Barrel Rye
- Cherry Cask Bourbon, the most recent one
Along with those, Blue Note has a flagship lineup that has won awards of its own. The prices listed are:
- Juke Joint at $34.99
- Crossroads at $44.99
- Uncut at $49.99
- Straight Rye Whiskey at $34.99
For someone who wants to try Blue Note without paying the price of a limited release, the flagship bottles are a lower-cost place to start.
Visit the Distillery
Blue Note's production facility is 110,000 square feet and sits on Royal Avenue, just north of downtown Memphis. It is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Central time. Inside is a small, intimate tasting room.
Guided tours that include a tasting are offered on Thursdays and Fridays. The cost is $20 plus tax and fees. Visitors can book a behind-the-scenes tour at www.bluenotebourbon.com. The brand can also be followed on Facebook and Instagram.
For a whiskey fan planning a trip to Memphis, this could fit in nicely with a weekend built around the city's music, barbecue, and history.
About B.R. Distilling Company
B.R. Distilling Company was founded in 2014 in Memphis. It is the oldest licensed distillery in the city and the maker of world-famous Blue Note Bourbon. The company currently makes five flagship expressions, along with regular limited releases.
Where to Find It
The whiskeys are sold in a long list of states. Retail distribution covers these states and Washington, DC:
- AL, AR, CO, CT, DE, FL, GA, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, MI
- MS, MO, NE, NJ, NY, OK, RI, SC, TN, TX, WI
Bottles can also be ordered online at BlueNoteBourbon.com through Bevstack. Those orders can be shipped to these states:
- AZ, CA, CO, CT, FL, GA, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, ME, MN, MO
- MT, NC, NH, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, TX, VT, WA, WI, WV, WY
Since the first two honey releases sold out quickly, buyers who want a bottle are probably better off ordering early. The company asks drinkers to take note and sip responsibly.
The Bottom Line
The Honey Bourbon and Honey Rye from Blue Note come down to a few things. There are two whiskeys, finished in barrels that were first seasoned with wildflower honey for six to nine months. Both are bottled at close to 120 proof and are unfiltered. Each costs $64.99, and about 2,500 cases of both are out there this year, more than in the past. For the first time, single barrel versions are also being offered through select retailers.
