Bulleit made its name over a decade ago during the rye renaissance, delivering what was arguably the bartender’s rye of choice with its iconic 95% rye recipe. For all that time, however, fans had to make do with just that, the standard Bulleit rye. The bourbon lineup meanwhile included the flagship bourbon, another bartender favorite, and a readily available 10-year-old. By 2016, a barrel strength offering debuted that would eventually become the foundation for a robust single barrel program, and more recently, a long overdue Bottled in Bond joined the bourbon lineup.

The rye portion of the Bulleit portfolio saw only one addition, in 2019, of a short-lived and surprisingly mature expression at 12 years old. It was great whiskey at an even better price point, but it was here and gone in the blink of an eye. This past summer the 12-year-old rye made an unexpected return, albeit still as a limited offering. It seemed like that was the best Bulleit rye lovers could hope for until recently when a 10-year-old expression finally arrived in the permanent lineup.

Let’s check it out.

Bulleit Rye 10 Years Old Tasting Notes

This whiskey certainly has more in common with the limited edition 12-year than the non age-stated standard offering. The fresh, herbal hallmarks of the 95/5 recipe are on full display, restrained by comparison to the classic bartender staple but still woven impressively into a decade of barrel aging. Undertones of dark toffee, chocolate shavings, and chewy caramels build as it opens, but it still retains perky top notes of minted syrup and sweet pickles.

On the palate, this is just as approachable as the older rye, gently warming and round. It’s a bit greener and fruitier, however, with early notes of jackfruit and dill that transition slowly to darker baking spice – cinnamon, anise, and clove – and a lacing of split vanilla bean and Demerara syrup. The midpalate simmers with peppercorn and pine before a generous finish of fresh mint, cocktail cherry, and vanilla taffy. A solid sipping rye has finally come to Bulleit’s core lineup and at an impressive price point. Get some.

91.2 proof.

A / $50

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