Swahili1
Bulleit Bourbon Single Barrel
Bourbon — Kentucky, USA
Reviewed
March 7, 2020 (edited January 23, 2021)
Tasting: 2 oz. Neat in Glen Cairn this is Binny's Pick#5, high rye (36%) with yeast #3, distillate origin unknown, but likely Four Rose's by contract.
A delicious nose of caramel, strawberry, and orchard fruits. The palate is like juicy fruit gum. It is very well done. It is coating but not thick, sweeter but not cloying. There is a delightful note at the end of ripe summer peach that transitions into the finish that is long and lasting.
Overall: This is a winner. Normally I am iffy about Bulleit. I don't like that they often mislead the origin of the distillate, and their business practices give me pause.... but this is about whiskey, not about feelings. Given the fact that Bulleit uses 3 different yeasts, and a few different recipes this is suspiciously close to a 4rs OBSO single barrel in overall profile. I know it isn't exactly the same because the mashbills are not exactly the same.....BUT given that Bulleit's contract distiller historically has been Kirin (4rs) for bourbon, and mgp for rye, it fits the bill.....and this particular barrel could be better then some true OBSO single barrels I have had. This is an excellent bottle I am proud to have on the shelf. I can find little fault except I don't like the origin mystery, and it being NAS. Say what you are and wear it with pride, because this is damned good bourbon!
Create Account
or
Sign in
to comment on this review
oh yeah and having been a part of a few picks of these. They do say 8-12 years old. So at least you have a rather narrow range of ages and I'd say at 8 years you're at least not super young.
Worth noting that while they DO source from four roses the story I've heard is all whisky four roses sends to them is sent in metal containers, not in the original barrels. No clue if it's true.