Blue Note Juke Joint Bourbon: the bourbon that sounds like it should be accompanied by a smoky saxophone solo, but instead, it feels more like a kazoo at a backyard barbecue. And you know what? That’s its charm. For around $35, it doesn’t need to be a symphony—it’s perfectly content being a foot-tapping crowd-pleaser.
Who’s buying this bourbon?
Let’s be honest: Blue Note Juke Joint isn’t the choice for bourbon purists who spend their weekends polishing Glencairn glasses and whispering sweet nothings to their bottles of Pappy. No, this one’s for the folks who like their bourbon like they like their music—accessible, fun, and maybe just a little rough around the edges. It’s for your cousin who’s just starting to “get into bourbon,” your coworker who brings a bottle to the party and says, “I found this cool craft brand,” or your dad, who insists that “anything under $50 is good enough.”
Is it worth investing in?
Investing? Let’s pump the brakes there, Rockefeller. Blue Note Juke Joint isn’t going to be the next unicorn bourbon, nor will it send collectors into a frenzy on the secondary market. But as an investment in your weekend happiness, it’s an absolute yes. This is the bottle you bring to poker night or crack open during a bonfire. You’re not worried about savoring every precious drop because you didn’t sell a kidney to buy it.
For what it costs, it delivers a solid, no-nonsense bourbon experience. It’s not going to make your taste buds write thank-you notes, but it won’t leave you regretting the purchase either. And hey, if you want to impress your friends with your knowledge of craft distilleries, Blue Note gives you just enough cool factor to fake it.
How does it compare at this price point?
Now, here’s where things get interesting. At $30–$40, Blue Note is in the same neighborhood as Wild Turkey 101, Four Roses Small Batch, Elijah Craig Small Batch, and even some of the higher-end Evan Williams offerings. That’s stiff competition, and Blue Note knows it. While Wild Turkey brings bold spice and Four Roses offers refined balance, Blue Note stakes its claim on being approachable and easy to enjoy. It’s the bourbon equivalent of a middle sibling: it doesn’t stand out, but it makes everyone happy. Each of us here appreciated the subtleties of the tasting notes and the way the finish dissipates rather abruptly.
Compared to the slightly lower-priced Evan Williams Bottled-in-Bond, Blue Note feels a bit more polished—like it wants you to know it tried. Against something like Buffalo Trace, it holds its own as a good alternative when your local liquor store’s Buffalo Trace shelf is, once again, empty. And let’s face it, at this price, you’re probably comparing it to bottles that either play it safe or try way too hard. Blue Note strikes a nice middle ground: it’s not trying to reinvent bourbon, but it’s also not embarrassing itself.
Final Thoughts
Blue Note Juke Joint Bourbon is a solid choice for anyone who wants a reliable pour that doesn’t require a flowchart to describe the tasting notes. It’s not going to knock you over with complexity, but it’s not pretending to be more than it is. In the grand orchestra of bourbons, Blue Note plays the tambourine—not flashy, not solo-worthy, but absolutely essential for keeping the rhythm of your evening going.
So, should you buy it? Absolutely. Should you pretend it’s better than it is? Only if you’re three drinks in and trying to impress someone. And should you consider it a bargain at its price? Definitely, because while it may not steal the show, it’s the kind of bottle that’ll always be welcome in the lineup. Cheers to keeping it simple and soulful while also not breaking the bank!
