About Chosen: In February 2023, the Chosen program kicked off with what they called Scouting Season. Blue Run set out on a mission to find retailers and organizations that shared their values and vision for a more diverse whiskey community, all while spreading the word about the program within the whiskey community itself. Then, just after Super Bowl LVII on February 13, they introduced The Portal, a digital experience that gave whiskey enthusiasts the chance to enter a thrilling lottery-style process for their very own Blue Run Whiskey barrels. Participants had the freedom to fine-tune their preferences and get creative with bottle designs, including options to customize the strip stamp, neck label, proof label, and even the color of the iconic Blue Run butterfly medallion, offering more than 750 design combinations to choose from.

Fast forward to March 23, and it was Draft Day – a day of excitement. Every eligible entry from The Portal was tossed into a digital lottery barrel. The outcome? Sixteen lucky winners were randomly chosen in a live-streamed event they called The Blue Run Draft, all taking place at the Bardstown Bourbon Company in Bardstown, KY. These fortunate few then embarked on what they called The Season. This involved a close collaboration with Wade, lasting from early spring through mid-summer, to uncover their unique whiskey profile. Participants had a choice: selecting a single barrel or crafting a micro-blend from an assortment hand-picked by Blue Run Whiskey Director Shaylyn Gammon. These barrels varied in age, proof, and even mash bill, offering an array of flavor possibilities.

The grand finale was the Blue Run Butterfly Gala, an exclusive VIP launch party that truly showcased the creativity of each private selection. Here, guests had the opportunity to savor a variety of this year s whiskeys, mingle with fellow participants and draft entrants, and join in the celebration with awards for the best barrel, best blend, and best design. It was an event that truly marked the culmination of a unique whiskey journey.