Some whiskeys are made to be sipped and forgotten. Others take nearly two decades to come together and then disappear from shelves before most people notice. Blue Note Bourbon’s 17-Year Barrel Proof Tennessee Straight Bourbon Whiskey is the second kind. It was last available in 2022, and it is back for the first time since.
The announcement came out of Memphis, Tennessee, on November 10, 2026, from B.R. Distilling Co., the maker of Blue Note.
A Whiskey Built Around the Blues
Image credit: Blue Note
Blue Note Bourbon is an award-winning whiskey portfolio. The company says it is crafted to honor the blues music that is so closely tied to Memphis. The names of its bottles, the look of the brand and the city it comes from all point back to that music, and the 17-Year release continues the theme.
What 17 Years in the Barrel Does
Time is the main ingredient in this bottle. It is aged 17 years and bottled at barrel proof, which means it is not watered down to a lower strength before it reaches the bottle. The company says that gives the whiskey deep oak, dark caramel, dried fruit and warming spice without losing its edge.
Here is how the company describes the experience from the first sniff to the last sip:
- Nose: seasoned oak, dark cherry and antique leather come first. Vanilla bean, burnt sugar and baking spice follow, more quietly.
- Palate: the texture is full-bodied. The company says it moves with the deliberate tempo of a slow Memphis blues solo, and that each note stays distinct while still fitting together.
- Finish: it builds toward a long, resonant finish of charred oak, dark cocoa and lingering spice.
According to the company, those 17 years gave the whiskey complexity, harmony and the kind of presence that turns a great whiskey into a legend.
The Specs
For readers who like the technical side, here is what the company shares about how it was made:
- Mash bill: 70% corn, 22% rye and 8% malted barley
- Proof: finished at 119 proof, or 59.5% ABV
- Filtering: unfiltered
- Style: Tennessee Straight Bourbon Whiskey
A corn-heavy mash bill with a good amount of rye is a common recipe for a bourbon with both sweetness and spice, and that matches the flavors listed above.
A Word From the Top
Chris Crosbie, Chief Executive Officer of B.R. Distilling Co., said: “We’re excited to bring back a 17-Year whiskey which reflects the patience, craftsmanship and time required to create something truly special.” He added: “It has been several years since we’ve released an expression of this caliber, making this limited release a rare opportunity for collectors and discerningwhiskey enthusiasts to experience this remarkable expression which reflects the depth, character and complexity that comes with extended aging.”
A Small Release
This is a limited run. The company says about 4,000 bottles are being released, in select U.S. markets and online. With a number that small, the whiskey is likely to be of most interest to collectors and longtime bourbon fans.
Distilled in Partnership, Aged in Memphis
Blue Note’s whiskey is distilled in partnership with Lofted Spirits, the parent company of Green River Distilling Company. The aging then happens just north of downtown Memphis, where the Mississippi and Wolf Rivers collide.
The location matters to the final product. The company points to the long Memphis summers, with their famous heat, and the cooler evenings that follow. Those swings push the whiskey deep into the oak, which the company says creates a rich flavor that is bold yet smooth.
More Limited Releases From Blue Note
The 17-Year is not the first special bottle from the brand. Over the years, Blue Note has put out several highly awarded limited releases. They include Premium Small Batch, Single Barrel Reserve, Special Reserve, Single Barrel Rye, Honey Bourbon and Honey Rye Casks, and most recently a Cherry Cask Bourbon.
The core Blue Note portfolio has also won awards. Its flagship expressions are Juke Joint, Crossroads, Uncut, Straight Rye Whiskey and Single Barrel Rye.
Visiting the Distillery
Blue Note’s production facility covers 110,000 square feet on Royal Avenue, just north of downtown Memphis. It is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Central Time, and it includes an intimate tasting room.
Guided, behind-the-scenes tours with a tasting are offered on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. They cost $20 plus tax and fees. More information is at bluenotebourbon.com, and the brand is on Facebook and Instagram.
About B.R. Distilling Company
B.R. Distilling Company was founded in 2014 in Memphis, Tennessee. It is the oldest licensed distillery in the city and the maker of Blue Note Bourbon. Besides its five flagship expressions, it puts out limited releases on a regular basis.
The Bottom Line
Seventeen years is a long time to wait for anything. For Blue Note, the wait ended with a rare, high-proof Tennessee bourbon and a return to a style the brand has not offered since 2022. Take note, and sip responsibly.
