Bulleit 10 Year Rye

Back at it with the best example of rye whiskey I've had to date, even though I learned not too long ago that Bulleit actually sources all of their rye products. Speaking of their rye products, I find it strange that the 12 year rye, which was a staple to a brand about half a decade ago before disappearing, finally reappeared earlier this year, before being followed by this 10 year version. Considering they only offer standard age and 10 year variants of their bourbon, it's an odd choice to have standard rye alongside both a 10 and 12 year choice. Considering the age difference between 10 and 12 is miniscule at best, I'm hoping this isn't part of a plan to quietly kill off the 12 year in favor of the 10. This isn't favored well on Bulleit's website, as the 12 year rye is missing there entirely. I also noticed that, although both the 10 and 12 year rye variants state their age statements as age minimums, the 12 year release did boast using barrels up to 17 years old, and although it was stated that the 12 year was a limited edition, it still makes you think why they would choose to switch to a version 2 years shy as the "permanent addition" choice. The color presents as burnished gold, but not quite mahogany. The nose has a pronounced, but balanced sweetness, manifesting as toffee, biscuit, and caramel, but with a bit of lemon zest added, like you would expect from the standard aged rye. Speaking of, the expected notes of the classic Bulleit rye blend are also here, including grass, cracked cinnamon sticks, and a bit of stone minerality. The ethanol burn is mostly approachable, with only a touch of actual burn, as expected at this proof point. The flavor begins as malty and mineral-y, but the sweetness from the longer age begins to distinguish this from the standard aged version. The cinnamon and other spiced notes are less tasted than they are felt in the gums, with the "rye penetration" coming through a medium amount. The lemon zest can be found in and out at different points, and the only new flavor here that wasn't on the nose is a small florality that sets in towards the finish, before the air in the mouth starts restarting the fiery spice of the rye. Overall this 10 year rye is well differentiated as compared to the standard age, and has an excellent MSRP for this market, and for this (increasingly rare) age statement, as far as American whiskey goes. It's unfortunate that this will inevitably replace the 12 year rye, but it does make more sense to standardize the age points of both the bourbon and rye for internal aging purposes. Although I predict that I'll be purchasing this product more than the standard age, there are still more refreshing and vibrant uses for the standard age that this longer age mellow out with the added sweetness, but they both will continue to be the best example of American rye whiskey (or least the proper mash bill ratio) in this reviewer's opinion, until proven otherwise. I'm not sure that Bulleit will ever take this out of MGP's hands, but if or when that happens, I suggest getting a bottle of this before the deal that it clearly is expires.

Creamy marshmallow and that chalky Smarties candy smell with nice baking spice. Mellow rye comes in on the sip and lasts. Aftertaste is medium long with more dry rye and salty cinnamon. Overall a complex bottle at reasonable price.

My second tasting about 16 hours after the fresh crack. N: When I first opened there were more pronounced citrus, stewed apple and mint notes, now it's more dry herbs, cereal and slight black licorice. P: SWEET cereal/grain. Soft fruit continues, with baking spices, very light herbs and that refreshing altoid mintiness. The mintiness makes this easy to chug seriously. I gassed the bottle on fresh crack but apparently only the nose changed, palate's change is minor! F: Soft yet sweet cinnamon red hots and a little pine. The grain, herbs and other spices offer a more supporting role here. I love that ryes tend to be more expressive even with high age statements. Not complex, but full flavored and rich. Was out looking for Bulleit 12 when I found this. Close to nothing about the release of the bottle online. Cheers!