Review: Blue Run Flight Series II Bourbon – Yosemite Pine

Coors-owned Blue Run recently dropped a new series of non-age-stated, sourced bourbons, the second edition in its “micro-batch” Flight Series. We missed out on Flight Series I, so we don’t have a point of comparison outside of other Blue Run releases, but here’s the scoop on what it’s all about.

Blue Run Flight Series II is a six-whiskey micro batch collection of Blue Run’s lauded Kentucky Straight High Rye Bourbon Whiskey.

Blue Run considers a micro batch to consist of at least two, but no more than five, barrels. Each of the six “Flights” in this release consists of between three to four barrels of Blue Run’s flagship High Rye Bourbon expertly blended by Head of Whiskey Development and Innovation Shaylyn Gammon. The small number of barrels used in Blue Run’s micro batching allows Shaylyn’s award-winning blending artistry to shine through on each bourbon, creating exceptional flavor experiences in each Flight.

In addition to sourcing barrels from different distilleries, Flight Series II is unique from Flight Series I (released October 2022) in that much of the sensory aspect of its creation was done outdoors. Shaylyn first experienced the blends outside, where the whiskey would react differently than in a still, climate-controlled lab. In the fresh Kentucky air, hovering around 80 degrees, the interchange between the atmosphere, wind, barometric pressure and whiskey molecules caused certain attributes to shine more brightly than indoors. The environment more quickly and more pronouncedly released the whiskey from the glass, really teasing the nose and tastebuds right from the jump.

“I envisioned these blends being enjoyed in a favorite outdoor setting, when nature is trying its hardest to capture your attention and deserves a toast in appreciation,” said Shaylyn. “This is why I conducted my sensory tests outside, since no whiskey fan is ever going to be experiencing their whiskey in a distillery laboratory. I fondly call this my ‘In Situ Whiskey’ because it was made, in part, where I thought it best to be enjoyed.”

Flight Series II exhibits the unique characteristics of well-respected, award-winning distilleries, making each Flight in this series something unique and special. Whiskey aficionados will want to add all six Flights to their collections to uncover the pronounced differences between each bourbon blend. The contract distilleries include Castle & Key, Bardstown Bourbon Company and another undisclosed facility. All barrels featured a #4 alligator char and were aged, for a time, in non-temperature-controlled warehouses in Bardstown.

Our sample bottle came from Flight #6 in the series, called Yosemite Pine, of which three barrels were blended to produce this batch — for 636 bottles total. It’s described as the lightest of the Flight Series II blends.

Based on the color, that seems hard to believe. This is a lovely shade of amber that appears well-oaked, and the nose follows suit at first. The barrel char influence is initially quite hearty, but with a little time in glass, the whiskey starts to pour on a bold overtone of stewed fruit, dates, and a big tea leaf character. Orange peel notes emerge, then come across as intensely spiced, melding with the tea leaf to give the whiskey an aggressive fruit tea quality. Once you pick up on it, it’s hard to shake.

On the palate, the citrus is more focused on the fruit, with orange oil dominating. It’s not so much soft as it is fresh and fruity, a zesty acidity making for a surprisingly cleansing quality that is rarely seen in bourbondom. Secondary elements include mint syrup, some lemongrass, and ginger. Lastly, as the finish builds, a slightly more savory note of toasted sesame oil and coconut husks come into focus. There’s a light hint of chocolate which works nicely with the mint, and a final burst of juicy orange to push it through to the conclusion.

If you like your whiskey on the fruit side — think Legent or Baker’s — this is one you need to pick up. While I can’t speak directly to the other five whiskeys in the Flight, if they’re anything like Yosemite Pine, they’re well worth investigating.

116.6 proof.

A- / $120 / bluerunspirits.com

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