Bulleit Bourbon Barrel Strength

Batch 5 at 62.7% ABV. I’ve been drinking more bourbon this summer than anything else, and I’m starting to appreciate the nuances and complexity from some recent releases, but not Bulleit Barrel Strength. This is a nice bourbon to enjoy by itself; it certainly has some chest punching power, and it may be the ideal bourbon for an old fashioned. But, when you have it in a line up with some more expensive options (like Barrell Cask Strength), the highlights of this bourbon aren’t very high, and the flaws start to show. Even when you line it up with a similar priced, similar styled high-rye high-proof option like Four Roses Barrel Strength, Bulleit is outclassed. It smells like bourbon, like bourbons do to me. There is lots of vanilla, cloves, cinnamon, wood, and salted peanuts. The arrival is delicious with raisins and butter, but it becomes a little unpleasant with intrusions of wax and plastic. The high rye content and high ABV hides the flaws on the finish well, but it just gets a little bitter and sawdusty for me. This is borderline sipping quality, and I’ve been guilty of using this bottle for cooking and for mixing. That would’ve been fine at $35, but at $50+, there are better options. Score: 0 (forgettable) How much does a bottle cost?: $50-65. How much do I think a bottle is worth?: $35.

Let this one breathe and it is a great Barrel proof option. Leans a little towards the cherry cola notes of Stagg Jr, but is easier to find.

Batch 2, second of the mostly empty bottles in my mother in laws cabinet. Amber in color. Nose is rich and warm with vanilla, ethanol, spice and floral notes. There’s a bit of something tannic in the background. Zing! Dried tobacco, brown sugar, baking spices. Thin and hot but without imparting pain. There’s some toast, leather and clove in there as well. The finish is medium long with more leather than aforementioned items. Fits with the 4 roses higher rye profile but without the brighter fruity pebbles notes. What it’s not: - viscous - buttery - fruity/floral - nutty - without sting What it is - spicy - tobacco smoke - potent vanilla