Hey there, and welcome back! I'm continuing my journey through America🇺🇲—exploring🦅 and reviewing both new releases and long-standing favorites. Today's bottle has been on my "love it" list for quite some time, and I'm excited to finally share my thoughts on it. It's the Bulleit Kentucky Straight Bourbon "Frontier Whiskey".

But first, let's pause for a second—why so many American whiskey and bourbon reviews lately? Good question. Let me explain.

It all started when I watched Yellowstone, 1883, and 1923. Those shows didn't just tell great stories—they also featured real bourbon brands, not fictional bottles. I remember spotting Buffalo Trace products and Bulleit multiple times, and that sparked something in me. I had to try them again.

From there, I found myself deep-diving into the bourbon world again, especially through YouTube. That's where I came across Brewzle's channel—what a character! His bourbon hunts and reviews gave me a new appreciation for the American whiskey scene and even more insight into the culture around it. What struck me most was the mindset: people over there open their bottles. They drink them. They enjoy them as they were meant to be, no matter the price.

Here in Europe, unfortunately, that's not always the case. Too often, bottles are hoarded for resale value, which only drives prices up and keeps great whiskey locked away in dark drawers—when it should be in glasses, being shared and savored. That's always frustrated me deep down even though I tend to do the same. But NO MORE.

And then there's the pricing. The U.S. market offers incredible value—cask strength, single barrel, high-quality bourbons for $50–70. Try finding a Scotch with similar specs and quality at that price point. You won't. In my honest opinion, Scotch has become a luxury product aimed more at collectors than drinkers. It's turned into a bit of a snob's game, and budget Scotch can't compete with what American whiskey offers for the same money. Find me a 15–20€ Scotch that holds up to something like Old Virginia 6 or Jim Beam 7. I'll wait.

So for now, I've decided to take a step back from Scotch. I'll still review it—don't worry, I've got plenty of samples and open bottles ready to go—but for now my main focus will shift toward bourbons, American whiskey, and other world whiskies. There's just so much more value and excitement in that space at the moment. I would also like to make bourbon more popular by reviewing it, and encouraging people to drink it more so that way we might get more and more bottles imported to Europe.

Hopefully that gives you a better understanding of why recent content has been so bourbon-heavy. But you know how it goes—we shift focus from time to time, and eventually, we always circle back.

After such a long intro, let's see what this lovely bottle of bourbon has to offer us!

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.

The core range of Bulleit

Bulleit Bourbon - Natural Color, Non-chill filtered (?), 45%

Classification: Straight Bourbon

Company: Diageo

Distillery: Bulleit Distillery Shelbyville, Kentucky

Released: Ongoing

Proof: 90

Age: NAS

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

"Bulleit Bourbon is inspired by the whiskey pioneered by an old family recipe over 150 years ago. Only ingredients of the very highest quality are used. The subtlety and complexity of Bulleit Bourbon come from its unique blend of rye, corn, and barley malt, along with special strains of yeast and pure Kentucky limestone filtered water. Due to its especially high rye content, Bulleit Bourbon has a bold, spicy character with a finish that's distinctively clean and smooth.

Medium amber in color, with gentle spiciness and sweet oak aromas. Mid-palate is smooth with tones of maple, oak, and nutmeg. Finish is long, dry, and satiny with a light toffee flavor."

Nose: Inviting and well-balanced, the nose opens with a burst of cinnamon and vanilla, followed by orange zest, caramel, and toasted oak. Hints of rye spice, black pepper, and cherry round out the aroma. It's not overly complex, but it offers a pleasing harmony that draws you in.

Taste: Rich and mouth-coating, the palate delivers a wave of vanilla and caramel, underscored by oak—lots of it. Bright notes of orange and cherry add vibrancy, while fresh mint, cinnamon, and cloves provide depth. A subtle touch of ginger appears mid-palate, adding an extra layer of spice. Surprisingly full-bodied, this dram offers an explosion of flavor that exceeds expectations.

Finish: Medium in length, the finish lingers with rich oak and spice. Cinnamon, black pepper, and rye-like warmth mingle with cherry, orange, and a refreshing hint of mint. It's a satisfying conclusion to a bold and flavorful whiskey.

Overall this is a bold and flavorful bourbon that really surprised me again. It's not overly complex, but it finds a sweet spot between balance, body, and spice. The oak is definitely noticeable—maybe even dominant at times—but it works well with the fruit and spice notes like cinnamon, cherry, orange, and mint. I especially enjoy the rich, spicy character that describes a nice high-rye bourbon.

Honestly, this has become one of my favorite budget high-rye bottles available in my region. It delivers a full mouthfeel and an impressive burst of flavors without trying to be fancy or overcomplicated. At its price point, that's a win.

On my Whiskyjourneyz Seal of Approval, it scores 79/100—just shy of that 80 mark, but still very solid. It's a great, dependable pour that I'll keep around, and I recommend you give it a try. If you like it, definitely stock up—it's well worth it. I score it a 7.3/10 overall. Buy it. Try it. Drink responsibly.

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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