Uploaded January 2022 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
In this video, Reinhard reviews Bulleit Bourbon, a classic Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey.
Discover The Liquor Formula & Read The Review:
bespokeunit.com/articles/american-whiskey/bulleit-bourbon
Learn about the Bespoke Unit Liquor Formula:
bespokeunit.com/spirits/formula
Read all about Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskeys with our guides:
bespokeunit.com/american-whiskey/bourbon/types
00:00 Introduction
The review of this Bulleit Bourbon Whiskey was conducted with the Bespoke Unit Liquor Formula, which is a quantifiable matrix for scoring spirits. You can find the filled-out formula for Bulleit Bourbon in the review link above.
01:02 Overview
We've previously reviewed Bulleit Rye Frontier on the channel - you can find that review here: youtu.be/zY4Fv0x7eB0. In that sister spirit, a high rye content is a strong theme. That theme is also present with the Bulleit Bourbon though less pronounced.
The original recipe is attributed to Augustus Bulleit, a man who disappeared in the late 1800s. It's not clear how much of this backstory is marketing though it's true that the same centuries-old recipe remains in use.
02:29 Bulleit Bourbon Whiskey Robe & Appearance
In the glass, Bulleit's Bourbon is a lovely golden brown hue and lacking any haziness or cloudiness. It's also viscous and oily with prominent legs that run slowly down the glass.
03:01 Bulleit's Nose
The nose is mellow and sweet, almost reminiscent of vanilla and butterscotch. There are also notes of cookie dough, chocolate chips, Marzipan, and ripe red apple. Underneath, I also detect white chocolate and mint that lighten up the experience. All in all, n interesting melange of sweet and spicy tones with lively nuances.
On the second nose, a typical smokiness and white oak woodiness are revealed. I interpret it less as fresh wood and more like charred wood. There is quite a bit of that which adds a layer of maturity and complexity to the overall nose. Indeed, it takes you from the sweet, mellow, and juicy fruit to a more mature, umami, smokey sensation that ties it all together.
05:10 Tasting/Palate
The high rye content is not only detectable in the nose but also very prominent on the palette. Yes, there is sweetness and yes, you get some of the typical charred oak aromas and flavors expected of a Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey. However, there is a distinct rye sourdough bread spice that produces a prickly sensation.
Overall, this makes the flavor profiles much more nuanced. Additionally, the sweetness is counterbalanced by slight spice and pepper in the back. The finish is long with a bitter quality resulting from the rye coming together with the charred oak. Lively, dynamic, sweet, sour, bitter, and spicy, all in good balance.
The finish is also not overly long nor is the Whiskey overly complex. I would say Bulleit Bourbon is intended for bartenders.
06:51 Cocktail Suggestions
Bulleit Bourbon is almost made to be drunk with ginger ale poured over ice as well as in an Old Fashioned or even a Manhattan. Another cocktail option is a Mint Julep. Without a doubt a versatile spirit that can be enjoyed in many different ways.
One of my personal favorite cocktails is a Horse's Neck type of drink where the Bourbon is poured over ice, then a couple of dashes of Angostura bitters are added, and lastly top it off with ginger ale and orange zest garnish.
07:32 Food & Cigar Pairing Suggestions
When pairing with food, I'm a fan of chocolate chip cookies alongside this bourbon whiskey. Anything with a slight minty taste is recommended, including ice cream or another dessert with citrus and mint notes.
On cigars, I chose the HVC hot cake which possesses a sweetness that's counterbalanced spiciness; in this regard, it resembles the qualities of the Bulleit bourbon rather closely.
08:25 Overall Experience, Value For Money, & Presentation
The price point makes this a candidate for being an everyday treat. The presentation is not super fancy packaging though the embossed hip flask bottle style is quite engaging.
Over time, I find the woody aromas to be more prominent and the charred oak to be a little more upfront with the sweetness being tamed. This makes the spirit a bit more complex, drier and spicier.
Already tried Bulleit Bourbon Whiskey or have any questions? Leave us a comment to let us know your thoughts!
CONNECT:
Web: BespokeUnit.com
Instagram: Instagram.com/BespokeUnit
Facebook: Facebook.com/BespokeUnit
Twitter: Twitter.com/BespokeUnit
Subscribe to Newsletter: BespokeUnit.com/newsletter
In this video, Reinhard reviews Bulleit Bourbon, a classic Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey.
Discover The Liquor Formula & Read The Review:
bespokeunit.com/articles/american-whiskey/bulleit-bourbon
Learn about the Bespoke Unit Liquor Formula:
bespokeunit.com/spirits/formula
Read all about Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskeys with our guides:
bespokeunit.com/american-whiskey/bourbon/types
00:00 Introduction
The review of this Bulleit Bourbon Whiskey was conducted with the Bespoke Unit Liquor Formula, which is a quantifiable matrix for scoring spirits. You can find the filled-out formula for Bulleit Bourbon in the review link above.
01:02 Overview
We've previously reviewed Bulleit Rye Frontier on the channel - you can find that review here: youtu.be/zY4Fv0x7eB0. In that sister spirit, a high rye content is a strong theme. That theme is also present with the Bulleit Bourbon though less pronounced.
The original recipe is attributed to Augustus Bulleit, a man who disappeared in the late 1800s. It's not clear how much of this backstory is marketing though it's true that the same centuries-old recipe remains in use.
02:29 Bulleit Bourbon Whiskey Robe & Appearance
In the glass, Bulleit's Bourbon is a lovely golden brown hue and lacking any haziness or cloudiness. It's also viscous and oily with prominent legs that run slowly down the glass.
03:01 Bulleit's Nose
The nose is mellow and sweet, almost reminiscent of vanilla and butterscotch. There are also notes of cookie dough, chocolate chips, Marzipan, and ripe red apple. Underneath, I also detect white chocolate and mint that lighten up the experience. All in all, n interesting melange of sweet and spicy tones with lively nuances.
On the second nose, a typical smokiness and white oak woodiness are revealed. I interpret it less as fresh wood and more like charred wood. There is quite a bit of that which adds a layer of maturity and complexity to the overall nose. Indeed, it takes you from the sweet, mellow, and juicy fruit to a more mature, umami, smokey sensation that ties it all together.
05:10 Tasting/Palate
The high rye content is not only detectable in the nose but also very prominent on the palette. Yes, there is sweetness and yes, you get some of the typical charred oak aromas and flavors expected of a Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey. However, there is a distinct rye sourdough bread spice that produces a prickly sensation.
Overall, this makes the flavor profiles much more nuanced. Additionally, the sweetness is counterbalanced by slight spice and pepper in the back. The finish is long with a bitter quality resulting from the rye coming together with the charred oak. Lively, dynamic, sweet, sour, bitter, and spicy, all in good balance.
The finish is also not overly long nor is the Whiskey overly complex. I would say Bulleit Bourbon is intended for bartenders.
06:51 Cocktail Suggestions
Bulleit Bourbon is almost made to be drunk with ginger ale poured over ice as well as in an Old Fashioned or even a Manhattan. Another cocktail option is a Mint Julep. Without a doubt a versatile spirit that can be enjoyed in many different ways.
One of my personal favorite cocktails is a Horse's Neck type of drink where the Bourbon is poured over ice, then a couple of dashes of Angostura bitters are added, and lastly top it off with ginger ale and orange zest garnish.
07:32 Food & Cigar Pairing Suggestions
When pairing with food, I'm a fan of chocolate chip cookies alongside this bourbon whiskey. Anything with a slight minty taste is recommended, including ice cream or another dessert with citrus and mint notes.
On cigars, I chose the HVC hot cake which possesses a sweetness that's counterbalanced spiciness; in this regard, it resembles the qualities of the Bulleit bourbon rather closely.
08:25 Overall Experience, Value For Money, & Presentation
The price point makes this a candidate for being an everyday treat. The presentation is not super fancy packaging though the embossed hip flask bottle style is quite engaging.
Over time, I find the woody aromas to be more prominent and the charred oak to be a little more upfront with the sweetness being tamed. This makes the spirit a bit more complex, drier and spicier.
Already tried Bulleit Bourbon Whiskey or have any questions? Leave us a comment to let us know your thoughts!
CONNECT:
Web: BespokeUnit.com
Instagram: Instagram.com/BespokeUnit
Facebook: Facebook.com/BespokeUnit
Twitter: Twitter.com/BespokeUnit
Subscribe to Newsletter: BespokeUnit.com/newsletter
