Bulleit Bourbon 10 Years
Under the name Bulleit Diageo distributes a bourbon brand whose exact origin was unclear for a long time. With the 10-years bottling they offer one of the few core range Bourbons with an age statement.Until 2013, Bulleit was (allegedly) distilled by Four Roses for Diageo. Then in 2017, a Bulleit distillery was built in Kentucky. In between, there was also a Bulleit visitor center at the former Stitzel-Weller Distiller. What is no secret is the recipe for Bulleit: 68% corn, 28% rye and 4% malted barley.
Tasting Notes
Nose
The bourbon presents itself strongly on the nose. With vanilla and a mixture of sweet caramel and brittle chips. Behind this are intense spicy oak notes and a hint of chocolate.
Palate
The first sip is interestingly complex. Crisp sweetness, intense rye spice and pronounced dryness at the same time. In addition, there are toasty aromas - like burnt crumbs from the bottom of your toaster. Again we perceive brittle chips and chocolate. A hint of clove in the background.
Finish
Bulleit 10 lingers surprisingly long. The finish is soft and at the same time tangy and sweet.
Thoughts
Marcel 81/100
Bulleit 10 Year is a genuine taste experience that’s simply fun with its sweet caramel notes and lively rye spice. For this price, you get a bourbon with character that tells a little story with every sip – definitely worth grabbing!
Sascha 87/100
The Bulleit Bourbon 10 Year impresses with a balanced harmony between sweet vanilla and caramel aromas and the distinctive rye spiciness that structures the body. Its complex flavor profile and long, harmoniously dry finish make it a very successful representative of its price segment.
Value for Money: Excellent
💸 This whisky offers an outstanding value for money and is our value pick.
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What sets the Bulleit Bourbon 10 Year apart from younger Bulleit releases?
The Bulleit Bourbon 10 Year is one of the few bourbons in the core range with an age statement, which provides greater complexity and depth. The extended maturation results in more intense oak notes, pronounced dryness, and a longer finish compared to younger expressions.
How does the high rye content in Bulleit Bourbon 10 Year influence its flavor?
With 28% rye in the mash bill, Bulleit Bourbon 10 Year delivers a noticeable spiciness that manifests as peppery and slightly sharp notes. This rye spice balances the sweet vanilla and caramel flavors and contributes to the characteristic dryness and complexity on the palate.
Why has there been uncertainty about the original origin of Bulleit Bourbon?
The exact origin of Bulleit Bourbon was unclear for a long time because until 2013, the bottling was reportedly distilled by Four Roses for Diageo. It wasn’t until 2017 that Diageo opened its own Bulleit distillery in Kentucky. Additionally, a visitor center existed at the former Stitzel-Weller Distillery, which further blurred the provenance.