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Bulleit Bourbon Single Barrel
Bourbon — Kentucky, USA
Reviewed
October 12, 2021 (edited March 10, 2023)
Bulleit Single Barrel "Old Smithville Edition” Barrel No. 2–E3-0409
*NOSE: Dry & Dusty. Brown Sugar & Cocoa Powder. Barnyard notes of Weathered Barn Wood, Hay and Dried Corn. There, but lurking in the back are notes of Cherry, Citrus, and a Light Florality. Very Good.
*NEAT: Dark & Drying. Medium to Medium Heavy Mouthfeel. Oak Forward. Vanilla Bean, Brown Sugar, Cocoa, Toffee, Orange Peel, and Cherry. Nice Warming Finish, but not as warm as I expected for 104 Proof. Leaves a Coating of Musty Oak and Orange Peel that layers with each sip.
*SPLASH: A few Drops of Water and some Black Pepper Spice shows up. The Citrus takes Center Stage along with some Pink Bubblegum.
*VERDICT: Very Good! Checks a lot of my Bourbon Boxes. Dry (√) Barnyard Funk (√) Musty Oak (√) 100'ish Proof (√) Great Coating, Layering Finish (√). The only box it doesn't check is price. For $60, I'm not sure I enjoyed this more than Bulleit 10YR which I can find on sale on occasion for $40. It is a solid choice if you see it on sale.
60.0
USD
per
Bottle
Southport ABC Store
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Just broke this one back out, and damn is it good.
@Bourbon_Obsessed_Lexington gotcha’. I just assumed Single Barrel would be from 4R. I think their standard offering probably contains some other brand (Beam, maybe?) Bourbon blended in addition, though.
@BDanner I can’t make any sense of the training digits but the B/E refers to a 36/21% rye in the mash bill and the accompanying 1-5 digit refers to the (4R) yeast strain. There have been some adamant statements that the whiskey itself is not 4R but, as far as probability goes, mash bulls that are 1% off in terms of rye content and the use of 5 yeast strains tells me this is still contract distilled 4R with some subtle tweaking
@Bourbon_Obsessed_Lexington LOL. No you’re not. I added that when I replied to your comment. I usually try and put the Barrel info on Single Barrels, but I entered this one at work on my lunch break so I didn’t have the bottle in front of me. Does that code give you any info on origin?
@BDanner sorry I’m an idiot and just realized you put that at the top 🤦🏻♂️
@Bourbon_Obsessed_Lexington it lists Barrel No. 2-E3-0409 on a hang tag.
Did this one come with an E/B code on the tag/bottle? There seems to be some fiercer debate as to this being 4 roses but the 10 recipes, E/B labeling and mash bill they quoted during their own tasting would say most of these are a 4R product.