Whiskey Library

Ever wondered why you rarely see bourbon finished in true cherry wood barrels

The team at Blue Note Bourbon breaks down the cooperage science! Cherry wood is significantly more porous than traditional oak species, making barrels prone to leaks and exceptionally challenging to work with.

Despite the difficulty, Blue Note secured 22 rare barrels crafted from two species of French cherry trees. They finished their 5.5-year-old high-rye bourbon (70-21-9 mash bill) in these custom casks for four additional months! ⏳

The result? A subtle, authentic, multi-layered cherry flavor—not that artificial, heavy syrup taste you get from low-effort finishes.

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Did you know Tennessee Whiskey is legally considered bourbon by federal standards, but state laws give it a distinct twist? Both spirits share a base of 70% corn and 15% toasted malted barley, giving them earthy, crispy flavor notes. The main difference comes down to the secondary grain and the finishing process: Tennessee Whiskey uses 15% rye for a sweet and spicy kick with charcoal filtering for a smoother finish, while Bourbon uses 15% wheat for a fuller body. That classic charcoal filtering is exactly where the phrase "smooth as Tennessee whiskey" comes from! Which profile do you prefer in your glass: a spicy, smooth Tennessee Whiskey or a rich, wheated Bourbon?

Comment “Bourbon” and we’ll DM you a quick breakdown of how the Bourbon Mystery Box works plus our welcome offer.

Did you know that despite Tennessee's world-famous whiskey legacy, more than half of the state is still legally dry when it comes to distilling?

As Keith from Old Dominick Distillery breaks down, Tennessee updated its laws to allow distilling across counties only if they meet specific criteria like having liquor stores and liquor-by-the-drink sales

Out of Tennessee's 95 counties, 44 can legally distill, but only 20 actually make whiskey today! That means over half of Tennessee remains dry for distilling, even with the massive volume of whiskey produced state-wide.

Comment “Bourbon” and we’ll DM you a quick breakdown of how the Bourbon Mystery Box works plus our welcome offer.

Why We Rinse Bottles With WHISKEY (Not Water!)

Ever watch a bottling line and wonder why the bottles are getting blasted with high-proof liquid before being filled?

Jesse Wood from Blue Note Bourbon breaks down the trade secret!

If distilleries rinsed fresh glass bottles with plain water, leftover droplets inside the bottle would dilute the liquid and lower the final ABV (alcohol by volume). To preserve the exact proof, flavor profile, and quality of the bourbon, bottles are rinsed using the exact same whiskey that's going inside!

It's a closed, filtered system that ensures every drop is pure, unadulterated bourbon from start to finish.

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Did you know Ohio actually had MORE distilleries per capita than Kentucky before Prohibition?

It’s true! Long before Kentucky became the indisputable bourbon capital of the world, Ohio had a booming distilling industry of its own. But when Prohibition hit in 1920, everything changed dramatically the government only allowed six distilleries across the country to keep operating to produce "medicinal whiskey."
This near-total shutdown wiped out Ohio’s thriving distilling scene almost overnight, while giving Kentucky's surviving operations a massive head start to establish their foothold in the industry. Today, craft distilleries like Watershed Distillery are proudly working to bring Ohio's rich distilling history back into the spotlight! 🌾✨

Did you know about Ohio's forgotten bourbon history? Comment “Bourbon” and we’ll DM you a quick breakdown of how the Bourbon Mystery Box works plus our welcome offer 👇

Did you know that in 1880, Memphis doctors were actually prescribing whiskey to their patients?

In 1880, Domenico Canale infused whiskey with fruit off his cart to create Dominick’s Toddy—a smooth, approachable, and highly popular spirit.

It became so legendary that Memphis hospitals began using it medicinally, and historical advertisements claimed it was "Recommended for medical purposes by EVERY physician in Memphis!"

As Keith puts it: "If that's the cure, there were a lot of people who didn't feel so well for a long period of time!" 😂

Would you accept a whiskey prescription from your doctor?
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How a 20,000 Barrel Collapse Created Our Rarest Whiskey!

Out of disaster comes something incredible! Inside the Blue Note Bourbon warehouse sits a batch of weathered casks known as the "Survivor Barrels."

These barrels survived a catastrophic rickhouse collapse involving 20,000 barrels. Left exposed to sun, weather, and debris, these casks took a beating—you can still see the dented hoops, caked-on mud, deep scrapes, and cracked staves across the wood.

But when the team finally moved them back to Memphis and tasted what was inside, the whiskey had aged into something extraordinary—giving birth to The Survivor Series!

Would you drink bourbon aged in a collapsed rickhouse?

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How does bourbon taste like a sherry cask... without ever touching a sherry barrel?

If you’ve ever tasted a bourbon that naturally mimics those deep, rich sherry notes, you aren't crazy! It all comes down to the environment and the intense, heavy char inside the barrel (like a Char #5) during aging.
Heavy barrel chars suppress overly fruity or floral esters, shifting the entire profile toward rich caramels, vanilla, and deep oaky sweetness. Instead of bright, light fruit notes, the deep char level creates a complex, full-bodied spirit that tricks the palate into tasting rich sherry characteristics! Watershed Distillery uses these subtle environmental and barrel factors to craft uniquely bold profiles without the need for extra cask finishes. 🪵✨

Have you ever picked up unexpected sherry or dried-fruit notes in a straight bourbon?

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Tennessee enacted state Prohibition early in 1910, but Memphis had a secret weapon: Mayor E.H. "Boss" Crump.

As Keith from Old Dominick Distillery shares, Boss Crump ran a notorious political machine and profited heavily from local whiskey and gambling houses. When founder Domenico Canale found himself sitting on 85,000 gallons of whiskey, Boss Crump gave him simple advice: "Don't bring it in the front door anymore—bring it in the back door."

For over 9 years, Domenico kept the spirit flowing through Memphis' corrupt system. Tragically, Domenico passed away in 1919 at age 75 just three days before the 18th Amendment (national Prohibition) was ratified.

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Inside Blue Note’s Warehouse: 4,500 Barrels & a 17-Year Secret!

Take a walk through the Blue Note Bourbon rickhouse in Memphis! With over 4,500 standard 53-gallon American white oak barrels aging under one roof, this facility relies on natural, non-climate-controlled conditions. The hot summers, cold winters, and legendary Memphis humidity work together to draw incredible flavors out of the oak.

Everything is organized clockwise by age starting from fresh 1-to-2-year-old barrels up to 5-and-6-year-olds saved for single-barrel releases.

The real surprise? A rare stash of 17-year-old bourbon barrels filled back in 2009!

Comment “Bourbon” and we’ll DM you a quick breakdown of how the Bourbon Mystery Box works plus our welcome offer.