Blue Run 4 Year High Rye Kentucky Straight Bourbon Chicago Bears Commemorative Edition 750ML

Blue Run 4 Year High Rye Kentucky Straight Bourbon Chicago Bears Commemorative Edition 750ML is a 111-proof (55.5% ABV), high-rye Kentucky straight bourbon in a 750ml bottle honoring the Chicago Bears. The High Rye expression earned a Platinum Finalist designation and 95 points at the TAG Global Spirits Awards, along with honors at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition and ASCOT Awards.

Quick Facts: ABV: 55.5% (111 Proof)  |  Origin: Kentucky, USA  |  4 Year Age Statement  |  Distilled at Castle & Key

Production & Heritage

Blue Run Spirits, headquartered in Georgetown, Kentucky, operates as a non-distilling producer sourcing and blending liquid from select Kentucky distilleries. This High Rye expression was distilled in 2017 by legendary Master Distiller Jim Rutledge — who spent over four decades at Four Roses — using Castle & Key's equipment under a contract arrangement. The mashbill of 65% corn, 30% rye, and 5% malted barley reflects Rutledge's deep expertise with rye-forward bourbon recipes, echoing the style he championed throughout his career. The Bears Commemorative Edition features custom packaging with a viceroy butterfly medallion and label artwork inspired by the Monsters of the Midway, marking Blue Run's partnership as the official bourbon of the Chicago Bears.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Caramel leads the nose, followed by bright orange peel and toasted nut. Underlying layers of baking spice develop as the bourbon opens in the glass.

Taste: The entry is full-bodied, immediately presenting brown sugar and roasted nuts. The mid-palate expands into ripe stone fruit and a muscular rye spice that asserts itself without overwhelming the sweeter elements. At barrel proof, the 30% rye content drives real complexity, giving the bourbon a layered intensity that rewards patience.

Finish: Long and warming, with clove and white tea lingering alongside a sweet herbal quality. The spice recedes gradually, leaving a dry, satisfying close that invites the next sip.

How to Drink Blue Run High Rye Bears Edition

At 111 proof, this bourbon rewards a splash of water to unlock its full aromatic range; tasting neat first, then adding water incrementally, reveals how the stone fruit and spice layers shift. For cocktails, three standouts work particularly well:

• Old Fashioned: The high rye content and barrel-proof intensity hold their own against bitters and sugar, keeping the drink bold and structured.
• Boulevardier: Stone fruit and clove notes complement sweet vermouth and Campari without getting lost in the mix.
• Kentucky Mule: The spice-forward profile amplifies ginger beer's bite, creating a drink with real backbone.

Best For

• Gifting a Chicago Bears fan who appreciates bourbon
• Adding a limited commemorative release to a whiskey collection
• Barrel-proof bourbon tastings featuring Kentucky expressions
• Game-day gatherings where presentation matters

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Blue Run High Rye Bears Edition taste like? This bourbon leads with caramel and brown sugar sweetness before assertive rye spice and stone fruit take over, finishing long with clove and herbal notes. The 111-proof strength delivers full-bodied intensity throughout.

How does Blue Run High Rye compare to Four Roses high-rye bourbons? Both share DNA through Jim Rutledge, who spent decades as Master Distiller at Four Roses before distilling Blue Run's recipe at Castle & Key. Blue Run's 65/30/5 mashbill runs close to Four Roses' OBSV recipe (60% corn, 35% rye, 5% malted barley), though Blue Run's barrel-proof bottling delivers a bolder, less refined intensity compared to Four Roses' typically lower-proof releases.

Is Blue Run High Rye Bears Edition good for sipping neat? Yes, though at 55.5% ABV it benefits from a few drops of water to temper the heat and open up the stone fruit and herbal layers beneath the proof.

Where is Blue Run High Rye Bears Edition made? The bourbon was distilled at Castle & Key Distillery in Millville, Kentucky, by Jim Rutledge in 2017 and aged for four-plus years. Blue Run Spirits is headquartered in Georgetown, Kentucky, and operates as a non-distilling producer.

What foods pair well with Blue Run High Rye Bears Edition? Smoked brisket complements the bourbon's caramel sweetness and rye spice. Dark chocolate with at least 70% cacao mirrors the clove and herbal finish. Aged cheddar provides a savory counterpoint to the stone fruit notes. Pecan pie echoes the toasted nut aromas, and grilled stone fruit desserts create a natural bridge to the mid-palate flavors.

What sizes does Blue Run High Rye Bears Edition come in? This commemorative release is available in the standard 750ml bottle size.

Is Blue Run High Rye Bears Edition worth the price? Blue Run positions itself in the premium tier of Kentucky bourbon, and this commemorative edition carries additional collectibility due to its limited Bears partnership packaging. The barrel-proof strength, four-year age statement, and Jim Rutledge pedigree provide tangible quality benchmarks that support the premium positioning.

Why Blue Run High Rye Bears Edition?

The strongest case for this bourbon starts with Jim Rutledge's direct involvement — he didn't merely advise on blending but personally distilled this recipe at Castle & Key, bringing decades of high-rye expertise from his tenure at Four Roses. The 95-point Platinum Finalist score from TAG Global Spirits Awards confirms the liquid quality independent of the commemorative packaging. At 111 proof with a 30% rye mashbill, this sits in a category sweet spot: bold enough for barrel-proof enthusiasts, complex enough for slower, contemplative drinking. The Bears branding adds genuine collectibility for fans, but the bourbon inside the bottle stands on its own merits in a competitive Kentucky landscape.