As the ad goes, you catch more flies with honey than vinegar. If that’s true, then Blue Note Bourbon’s latest limited release will almost certainly attract some new fans to the brand. Aged in Memphis through a partnership with Bardstown Bourbon Company, the label pays homage to the city’s rich musical heritage, embracing the concept of fusion across the production process and flavor profiles. Since its inception in 2014, Blue Note has managed to turn out an impressive collection of award-winning whiskeys, including the flagship Juke Joint straight bourbon and Crossroads bourbon finished with French oak staves (both 2024 San Francisco World Spirits Competition Platinum medal recipients).

As a follow-up to Blue Note’s previous Honey Rye Cask release, the new Honey Bourbon Cask (70% corn, 21% rye, 9% malted barley) soaks up extra sweetness and flavor by resting in honey-infused casks after aging a minimum of three years in American oak barrels.

Bottled at an unfiltered 115.7 proof, this bourbon is one to be reckoned with. The honey-forward nose jumps right out, comingling nicely with pepper and apple blossom in a way that literally made my mouth water. Hot on the tongue (as expected from the high proof), the first sip punched my palate with cinnamon and spice, bringing notes of candied apple and clovery wildflower along for the ride. A splash of water toned down the heat without taming too much of the cinnamon, hinting at a slightly softer side of sweet cream and candy corn. (Perhaps my mind’s just too much on Halloween this week…) The finish fades out slowly, drawing you back in for another sip.

This is good stuff to pour over a single ice cube, but I appreciated it even more in an Old Fashioned, especially with a brown sugar simple syrup for added depth of flavor. Or, add it to a pour of apple cider with a cinnamon stick, and you’ve got an easy — not to mention delicious — seasonal cocktail.

Blue Note products are available online and in a handful of select U.S. markets. The yield on the Honey Bourbon Cask was just 1,800 bottles — so catch it if you can.

Other Honey Whiskey products that may interest you: Bärenjäger Honey and Bourbon, Catskill NY Honey Whiskey