Bulleit Frontier bourbon

[Megawatt]

This bourbon has just arrived in Ontario, and I'm wondering how it compares to the other premium brands available here, namely Knob Creek, Woodford, and Maker's Mark? It is $10 cheaper than these brands around here...

[jburlowski]

I like (but I may be in the minority here). Heavy rye notes.

[Gillman]

I just recommended it on your other thread before even seeing this one.

It is a bourbon that (I find) does vary. Some bottles are very soft and spicy with great balance. Others are kind of woody and monochrome.

The one I bought at LCBO lately was middling, but again, every bottle is liable to be somewhat different and I'd try it.

Look for the signature "cinnamon red hots" nose and taste.

Gary

[cowdery]

If Bulleit is priced that much below Woodford, Knob and Maker's, snap it up, that's a great deal for a very good whiskey. Around here those four would be pretty close in price, with Maker's probably the cheapest since it's usually on deal somewhere. They're all in the same market segment, shooting for essentially the same consumers.

I like Bulleit a lot but it is not for everyone, as its mash bill is about 1/3 rye, the highest among all bourbons, even more than Old Grand-Dad. But since it's made by Four Roses, it is very well balanced. It's also not a "me too" taste. There's nothing else quite like it, so if you like variety, you'll get some with Bulleit in your portfolio.

I agree with Gary about cinnamon red hots. If that's not your taste in candy, you probably won't like it in a bourbon either.

One industry insider told me recently that he doesn't think Bulleit is "making it," as in not meeting the targets Diageo has set for it, so buy more so we can keep this excelllent product on the market.

[Megawatt]

Thanks for the replies. I wonder if the $35 price tag is an introductory sale price or what. In Ontario, Maker's is $44, Woodford is $45 and Knob Creek is $46 (though I got my bottle at $4 off). If Bulleit is a true premium brand, I'll have to pick some up...

[smokinjoe]

I picked up a bottle of this a month or so ago. I keep it in the beer fridge, and am finding it to be very enjoyable. The coolness from the fridge is a nice counterbalance to the rye spiciness. I don't know if this method is the reason why, but I like this bottle much better than the one I had a few years ago.

Cheers!

JOE

[notyetasmokejumper]

I like it. It is probably my second favorite bourbon that I have poured in the last 12 months, (Behind Knob Creek)...The spiciness works for me and of the three bottles I have poured from I haven't noticed that much of a difference between them. A good bourbon at the price point.

[ratcheer]

I had one bottle. It was pretty much the worst "good" bourbon I have ever tasted. Way too sweet and one-dimensional. It was so bad I doubt I would take a bottle if someone offered to give it to me.

Tim

[Gillman]

Shows how taste (and sometimes the bottles) can vary. I am sipping some now with a dash of soft water added.

I find it sweetish (but not sweet), with a good spice underpinning (cinammon red hots), with some firmness from the rye and a wood backing.

It is not of course a 9-12 year old whiskey, so its complexity is relative but I like it a lot only again, for me each bottle is somewhat different..

Gary

[Sycamore Tree]

I shared a bottle with girlfriend and I found it to be good to very good with unique tasting notes. It does have a good Rye taste to it but it is a tad too sweet. I do prefer it over Knob and Makers for sure.

[polyamnesia]

just bought a bottle tonight...and tried it neat and with a micro splash (i.e., mega drop) of water.

not catching the sweetness.

the spiciness...and yes, that "cinnamon/red hots" sense is there...nice for being a bantam weight 90 proof!

ratcheer, you may have really gotten a bad bottle!

this isn't overly complex, but it's a "frontier" whiskey...i would say, for the 1800s, it would be high end!

the water did open it up, slightly sweeten it...but nothing like Ridgemont Reserve with water...THAT's sweet. nearly the same proof, i believe.

[Pharaoh]

As someone else already stated, my personal experience has found Bulleit to vary, although I've yet to taste any that I'd call "too sweet".

One bottle I didn't care for displayed quite a lot of youth, but my taste seems to gravitate more towards mid to well matured American whiskey (generalization for sure).

But after the disappointing bottle, I've had samples from a couple of other bottles that have been quite different with a bit more refinement and a lot of the sharpness filed down.

[mrt]

I like Bulleit. Sweet and mellow, IMO. I agree that it shoud be supported by making purchases. Maybe not many people are aware of it, yet. It's unique bottle design is also a plus.

[ratcheer]

I like Bulleit. Sweet and mellow, IMO. I agree that it shoud be supported by making purchases. Maybe not many people are aware of it, yet. It's unique bottle design is also a plus.

I loved the bottle.

Tim

[TBoner]

Okay, Chuck, you've sold me. I've had a few minis here and there of this, and I liked them, but my $20 always seems to go for something else. Tomorrow, Bulleit it is. I love high-rye bourbons, and I am all for keeping as much variety in the market as possible.

[JamesH007]

I found Bulleit a bit on the rough side, although I do have a preference for high wheat mash bills. Dont recall too much else other than I have not goten a bottle since. It has been a few years, maybe I should give it another try ?

[arsbadmojo]

I love the packaging, but didn't care for the whiskey. I like rye-heavy bourbons too, so that wasn't it. Great for mixing though. The bottle and label are just too cool!

[BourbonJoe]

Tried Bulleit again last night at the Philly Whiskeyfest. It's the same perception as last time. I'm not crazy about this whiskey.

Joe :usflag:

[Dr. François]

My favorite Bulleit cocktail:

1 DVD boxed-set of HBO's Deadwood.

1 pair old denim jeans, worn near campfire.

1 glass

1 bottle Bulleit bourbon

Put on jeans. Play DVD. Drink whiskey. Repeat.

[felthove]

I had read a lot of tasting notes on the web commenting that this boubon was somewhat harsh but that its high rye content made it well suited for Manhattans. Therefore, I bought it and used it as such a few times. After trying it neat twice I have to say I sort of regret "wasting" on mixed drinks given that I have some other low cost bourbons and ryes that fit that bill. I've rather enjoyed it neat and find it far from harsh. Not tremendously complex by any means but solid IMHO.

[Martian]

I also found it rather rough, and I like rye bourbons. Not to my liking with better and cheaper brands out there.

[Megawatt]

How does it compare to Knob Creek and Woodford Reserve? Which is it more similar to? These are the only other premium brands available in my part of the world...

[cowdery]

Not very similar to either, really. All are good, each is different.

[sku]

My favorite Bulleit cocktail:

1 DVD boxed-set of HBO's Deadwood.

1 pair old denim jeans, worn near campfire.

1 glass

1 bottle Bulleit bourbon

Put on jeans. Play DVD. Drink whiskey. Repeat.

Bulleit actually makes an ahistorical cameo in Deadwood, as you may know. In the third season, when they have the theatrical show, they show people passing around Bulleit (which, of course, wouldn't have been available for another 120 years or so, but hey, it's TV).

[Megawatt]

Finally got around to picking up a bottle of this whiskey, and I'm working on my first drink right now. Kind of spicy like Knob Creek, but with a creamy sweetness that I couldn't quite place, but I can now identify as rye. Very nice stuff! A splash of water accentuates the creaminess of it. Definitely not as deep or complex as Knob Creek, and easier on the palette than Woodford Reserve, but for the price I don't mind it at all.