While this is bottled in Memphis, Tennessee by B.R. Distilling, Blue Note Juke Joint is a Kentucky straight bourbon, and it’s a big one. That’s due in large part to being bottled at barrel proof, coming in at 58.75% ABV. The nose is fruit-forward, evoking freeze-dried strawberries, strawberry Blow Pop, cherry cobbler, pumpkin pie, and black tea with honey. The palate is hot, but not to its detriment, and it’s wonderfully creamy throughout. Chocolate-covered cherries are at the fore, joined by lemon-poppyseed muffin, fresh-squeezed lemon, grated ginger, brown sugar-cinnamon oatmeal, and a hint of licorice. The finish is long, inviting you to take another sip. —Julia Higgins