Bulleit "Frontier Whiskey" Bourbon Review & Tasting Notes

 

Bulleit Distilling Company was founded in 1987 by Tom Bulleit and opened its distillery in Shelbyville, Kentucky, in 2017. In 1997, the brand was acquired by Seagram, which Diageo then acquired. Originally, Bulleit was distilled by Buffalo Trace.

 

“Bulleit Bourbon is inspired by the whiskey pioneered by an old family recipe over 150 years ago. Only ingredients of the very highest quality are used. The subtlety and complexity of Bulleit Bourbon come from its unique blend of rye, corn, and barley malt, along with special strains of yeast and pure Kentucky limestone filtered water. Due to its especially high rye content, Bulleit Bourbon has a bold, spicy character with a finish that's distinctively clean and smooth.” – Bulliet Distilling Company

 

Bulleit is not big on transparency. I appreciate the need to keep certain things private. There are often non-disclosure agreements in place, and some brands are just plain squirrely about disclosing any more than legally required. In February 2021, I asked Bulleit’s marketing team face-to-face if the distiller was Four Roses and was given a long-winded semi-denial. As such, that piqued my interest even further, and I put on my detective hat.

 

In 1997, Seagram was producing Bulleit at its Lawrenceburg, Kentucky distillery. If you know anything about Seagram’s history, its Lawrenceburg facility was called Kirin Brewing Company. That city has only two distilleries:  Four Roses and Wild Turkey. And we know it isn’t Wild Turkey.

 

However, with Bulleit’s tremendous growth (one of the best-selling Bourbon brands) combined with Four Roses’ assumed limited capacity, Four Roses isn’t likely the sole supplier. As such, the distillate could be from several sources, including a blend from various distilleries. So, the long-winded semi-denial makes sense, no matter how frustrating.

 

There was also a high-profile controversy involving Tom Bulleit and his daughter, Hollis Worth. While denying her allegations, the press was horrible and resulted in Tom being “invited” to step down as its brand ambassador in 2019.

 

Bulleit Bourbon is made from a mash of 68% corn, 28% rye, and 4% malted barley. We don’t know about char levels or the entry proof. A 45% ABV (90°) standard 750ml package is priced at about $24.99, making it an affordable option. I picked up a 50ml taster at a random liquor store.

 

The lack of a brand’s transparency and any controversies do not affect my tasting notes or subsequent rating. So, let’s do the #DrinkCurious thing.

 

Appearance: I drank this Bourbon neat in my Glencairn glass. It presented as blonde straw and created a thinner rim with fast, thick legs that raced back into the pool of whiskey.

 

Nose: A hint of butterscotch escaped the glass as I picked it up. Further exploration provided pineapple, honey, toasted oak, and cinnamon aromas. When I drew the air through my lips, honey stood out.

 

Palate: I found a buttery texture that coated every crevice of my mouth. Vanilla, cinnamon, and apple were on the front of my palate, while flavors of cinnamon, hazelnut, and orange rind were next. I tasted black licorice, toasted oak, and black pepper on the back.

 

Finish: There was an interesting mix of black pepper, clove, hazelnut, and black licorice that stuck around for several minutes. A moderate tingling of my tongue was notable.

 

Bottle, Bar, or Bust: This Bourbon is a bit rough, and I guess that’s part of the Frontier Whiskey charm. I think Bulleit’s flagship Bourbon would make a good cocktail base, but it isn’t something I’d consider as a daily sipper. I buy and rate whiskeys to be enjoyed neat. The price is undoubtedly attractive, and it isn’t a bad Bourbon. As such, it earns a Bar rating from me. Cheers!

 

My Simple, Easy-to-Understand Rating System

• Bottle = Buy It
• Bar = Try It
• Bust = Leave It

 

Whiskeyfellow encourages you to enjoy your whiskey as you see fit but begs you do so responsibly.