Bulleit Bourbon
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| Type | Bourbon whiskey |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Diageo |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Introduced | 1999 |
| Alcohol by volume | 45% |
| Proof | 90 |
| Color | Russet (dark brown) |
Bulleit Bourbon is a brand of Kentucky Straight Bourbon whiskey that is characterized by having a high rye content for a bourbon (at approximately 28% of the mash bill) and being aged at least six years.[1] The bottle is clear glass with raised lettering[2] and an orange label with black print, and is sealed with a cork stopper in most markets. The Bulleit brand is owned by Diageo, and the bourbon is produced at the Kirin Brewing Company Four Roses Distillery in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky. It is bottled at 45% abv (90 proof) for the US, Canadian, and Mexican markets. For the UK and Australia markets, it is bottled at 40% abv. It is also sold in Germany[3] and Sweden.[4]
In the U.S. market, the Bulleit brand name is also used for a rye whiskey as well as a bourbon.
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History [edit]
According to Tom Bulleit, who created the modern brand, the first batch of Bulleit bourbon was made around 1830 by Augustus Bulleit, who continued to produce it during the 19th century – but its production was discontinued after his death in 1860.[5] The current recipe is substantially different than the original by Augustus Bulleit, which used about two-thirds rye and one-third corn in the mash bill (which would make it a rye whiskey rather than a bourbon using modern product labeling terminology).[5]
In 1987, Tom Bulleit, the great-great-grandson of the original creator, oversaw the distillation of the first batch of the modern-day Bulleit bourbon.[3] In characterizing the recipe, Bulleit remarked on its relatively high rye content and its relatively lengthy aging, and has said that the bourbon has an absence of phenol.[1] The low phenol content is attributed to the use of a filtering process.[5]
In 1997 the Bulleit brand name was bought by Seagram, and began being distilled in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky.[2]
The brand was introduced to US markets in 1999, and to Australia, UK and Germany in 2000.[3][6]
Following an acquisition of various Seagram's assets, the Bulleit brand is now owned by Diageo and is produced at the Kirin Brewing Company Four Roses distillery in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky. The Four Roses distillery had also been a Seagram facility, and was briefly owned by Diageo before being sold to Kirin.
The current mash bill contains 68% corn (maize), 28% rye, and 4% malted barley.[5]
Bulleit rye whiskey [edit]
In addition to its use for a brand of bourbon, the Bulleit brand name is also now used for a rye whiskey launched in March 2011 with a mash bill of 95% rye and 5% malted barley.[7][8][9] The bottle for the rye variation uses a green label and is otherwise similar to the bourbon bottling (which uses an orange label).[8] Like the bourbon, the rye whiskey is bottled at 45% abv.[9] Unlike the bourbon, the rye whiskey is reportedly produced in Lawrenceburg, Indiana at Lawrenceburg Distillers Indiana.[10][11] Bulleit rye whiskey is only available in the U.S. market.[12]
Bulleit in the Australia and UK markets [edit]
Starting in 2008, Bulleit bourbon sold on the UK market is bottled at 40% alcohol by volume, and this variation is exported from the UK for the Australia market. For this variation, bottle, label and cap are somewhat different than what is found in other markets.
Critical Reviews [edit]
Proof66.com, an aggregator of expert reviews and ratings for bourbons and other spirits, rates both the Bulleit bourbon and the Bulleit Rye Whiskey among the best in class. The Bulleit bourbon is placed the top 10th percentile of the world's best bourbons, while the Bulleit Rye Whiskey is rated as a "Tier 2 ("Highly Recommended") spirit.[13] [14]
References [edit]
- ^ a b Bulleit Bourbon: The Most American of Spirits, Miller, accessed on 8 Sept 2007
- ^ a b Bulleit Bourbon and Evan Williams Single Barrel Bourbon from Alcoholreviews.com, accessed on 8 Sept 2007
- ^ a b c Diaego - Our brands - Whisk(e)y - Bulleit bourbon, accessed on 8 February 2011.
- ^ Bulleit Bourbon and Systembolaget, March 13, 2009.
- ^ a b c d A Bourbon Tasting with Tom Bulleit, Sctoch Hobbyist's Blog, February 4, 2010.
- ^ About Bulleit Bourbon, accessed on 8 Sept 2007[dead link]
- ^ The Distinction, official website.
- ^ a b Austin Hartman, Booze Review: Bulleit 95 Rye, Greenpoint Gazette, March 27, 2011.
- ^ a b Bulleit Whiskey Expands Through Introduction of Bulleit Rye, Diageo press release, PR Newswire, March 21, 2011.
- ^ New Bulleit Rye Whiskey to be Released, Bourbon Blog, February 25, 2011.
- ^ Bulleit Rye Whiskey Review, Bourbon Blog, March 1, 2011.
- ^ The Legend, official web site.
- ^ "Proof66.com awards summary page for Bulleit Bourbon". Retrieved 2012-10-23.
- ^ "Proof66.com awards summary page for Bulleit Rye Whiskey". Retrieved 2012-10-23.
