Hey there — welcome back to my site! I hope you're doing great and that your summer is unfolding just the way you planned.

Today, we're diving into a review of the big brother of the Bulleit Kentucky Straight Bourbon "Frontier Whiskey". Their 10-Year-Old edition. I was genuinely excited to get my hands on this bottle — after all, a 10-year age statement in the world of Bourbon is no small thing. To put it in perspective, that's roughly equivalent to 15–16 years in the Scotch world, thanks to the hotter climate in the U.S. and the aging methods used (like higher warehouse racks).

So, did it live up to my expectations? Thankfully — yes, it did.

Join me as we continue our journey down the trail of bold American spirits and explore another Bourbon from the great land of cowboys and wide-open skies.🦅🇺🇲

But before we go any further, please check out my previous reviews.🥃✅ 

About the Bulleit

Bulleit Bourbon's origins stretch back to the early 19th century, when Augustus Bulleit began crafting high-rye bourbon around 1830. His whiskey reportedly vanished along with him in 1860, but his legacy lived on. Over a century later, in 1987, his great-great-grandson Tom Bulleit revived the brand with a modern interpretation of the original recipe. Emphasizing a bold, spicy profile, Bulleit quickly carved out its niche in the American whiskey renaissance.

Initially produced in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky under Seagram's ownership from 1997 onward, Bulleit was acquired by spirits giant Diageo in the early 2000s. The brand expanded rapidly, reaching international markets including Australia, the UK, Germany, and Scandinavia.

In 2017, Diageo opened a state-of-the-art, $115 million distillery in Shelbyville, Kentucky—designed with a strong focus on sustainability. A visitor center followed in 2019, complete with guided tours, a cocktail bar, and custom bottle labeling experiences. Today, Bulleit is one of the fastest-growing whiskey brands in the U.S., celebrated for its bold character and deep roots in American heritage.

Production

Bulleit Bourbon stands out for its unusually high rye content—28% rye, 68% corn, and 4% malted barley—delivering a spicy, dry flavor with a smooth backbone. The whiskey is aged at least six years in new charred American oak barrels and bottled at 45% ABV (90 proof) for most markets.

The flagship bourbon is produced at the Bulleit Distilling Company in Shelbyville, while Bulleit Rye is distilled in Lawrenceburg, Indiana by MGP Ingredients, a well-known contract distiller. The brand's commitment to sustainability includes responsible water usage, habitat protection, and local sourcing whenever possible.

In 2025, Bulleit debuted its first Bottled-in-Bond release—distilled and aged entirely at its Shelbyville facility, matured for seven years, and released in limited quantities only when quality standards are met.

Core range

Bulleit Bourbon: The classic flagship, high-rye bourbon aged around 6 years and bottled at 45% ABV (or 40% depending on market). A bold, spicy everyday sipper.

Bulleit Bourbon 10 Year: Aged a full decade, this expression delivers deeper oak, dried fruit, and caramel complexity. Bottled at 91.2 proof and winner of a Double Gold at the 2013 San Francisco World Spirits Competition.

Bulleit Barrel Strength: Bottled straight from the barrel at 118–125 proof, this uncut and unfiltered bourbon is aged 5–8 years for a rich, full-bodied experience.

Bulleit Rye: Introduced in 2011, it features a 95% rye / 5% malted barley mash bill, bottled at 45% ABV. Spicy, dry, and perfect for cocktails or sipping neat.

Bulleit Rye 10 Year: Aged a full decade, this rare aged rye brings forward a mature spice profile, with leather, tobacco, and oak rounding out the finish.

Bulleit Rye 12 Year: Aged even longer, this smooth yet intense rye offers complex layers of dried fruit, cinnamon, and nutmeg. A premium expression of rye whiskey bottled at 46% ABV.

Bottled-in-Bond Bourbon: A limited release, 7-year-old, 100 proof bourbon meeting all bottled-in-bond standards. A showcase of Bulleit's commitment to quality and in-house distillation.

Bulleit American Single Malt: Made from 100% malted barley and aged in new charred oak barrels. Bottled at 45% ABV, this new addition brings a smooth, malty richness with layers of toffee, vanilla, and subtle smoke—bridging American whiskey innovation with old-world technique.

Bulleit 10 yo Bourbon - Natural Color, Non-chill filtered (?), 45.2%

Classification: Straight Bourbon

Company: Diageo

Distillery: Sourced from an undisclosed Kentucky distillery(ies) (said to be Four Roses)

Release Date: Ongoing

Proof: 91.2

Age: 10 Years

Mashbill: 68% Corn, 28% Rye, 4% Malted Barley

"Although Bulleit's label reads "Distilled by the Bulleit Distilling Co.," the brand has historically sourced its bourbon from other producers. Up until recently, Four Roses was known to be the main supplier, though the current source remains undisclosed. Bulleit 10 Year was introduced in 2013 as a premium extension of the brand. It shares the same mash bill as their standard no-age-statement bourbon. In the Spring 2013 issue of Bourbon Review, Tom Bulleit explained, "There are certain barrels that stand out as good candidates for extended aging, and we've been identifying and tracking those since the beginning. We've finally reached a point where we felt confident in releasing an older bourbon." He also noted that the 10-year age statement refers to the youngest whiskey in the bottle, with some 11- and 12-year-old bourbon included in the blend."

Nose: Absolutely delightful. Bursting with vanilla, butterscotch, and toasted oak, layered with warm spices and a vibrant medley of fruits — cherry, peach, strawberry, and citrus (especially orange). There's a great sense of depth here, with the oak providing a strong, grounding backbone to the overall fruit-forward character.

Taste: Opens with a pleasant spice hit — cinnamon, cardamom, and cloves take the lead. The oak influence is bold and unmistakable, bringing in notes of leather, hay, and a savory edge. On the second sip, the sweetness begins to shine: cherry, orange, peach, creamy vanilla, and a touch of milk chocolate emerge. A well-balanced sipper with a nice bite and solid complexity.

Finish: Medium to nearly long. The toasted oak carries through, joined by cherry, strawberry, leather, and hay. Rye spice and black tea add a drying, peppery edge. The finish is oak-driven, ending with a satisfying dry spice kick.

Overall I think this is something special — a truly underrated 10-year-old bourbon that impressed me on all fronts. From the moment I nosed it, I knew this bottle had depth. It shows a level of maturity and complexity that punches well above its price point, with a beautiful balance of oak, spice, and rich fruit notes throughout. The nose is vibrant and layered, the palate delivers a satisfying mix of sweet and savory, and the finish lingers with character and finesse.

At 35–50€, it's a no-brainer — this bourbon won me over completely and has definitely earned a spot on my refill list. I scored it 8.2/10, and it proudly receives the WhiskyJourneyz Seal of Approval with a total score of 80.57 points.

A bottle worth hunting down — and one that deserves far more attention than it gets.

Some of the photos featured in this article are not my own; I've credited the original owners. All other images bearing my logo were taken and are owned by me.

Feel free to check out the scores and rankings I've given to each whisky I reviewed.

Thanks for reading—I hope you enjoyed it! Here's to many more drams. Sláinte!

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