BOTM, 6/08: Bulleit

[jeff]

How does image affect your perception/enjoyment of Bourbon whiskey? Do you think that it doesn't? If it was really all about what's in the bottle, producers wouldn't go to the lengths or the expense of beautiful decanters with nostalgic folklore adorning the label. It's marketing people! Do you remember your first bourbon shopping experience? What made you pick up one bottle over the other, with no idea what either tasted like? Was it the pretty red wax, or the story of Lincoln's boyhood home?

This month's BOTM is something of a departure from the glam and glitz of the top-shelf, positioning itself in the old-school category. The really old-school category. Bulleit Frontier Bourbon Whiskey calls upon images of the rough and tumble American frontier of the late 1800s. It portends to be whiskey as the mythical American cowboy would have liked it. Old-style medicine bottle, label and a tall-tale of a story all add to the mystique. Of course whiskey back then probably bears little resemblance to this, a rather polished if slightly austere, modern bourbon whiskey.

Sourced from rick-houses of Four Roses by Tom Bulleit, Bulleit Bourbon is a solid product from a solid individual. Not to everyone's taste, but mass-appeal can be so boring. So strap on your six-shooter, belly up to the bar and throw back a shot or two of Bulleit Frontier Bourbon...or else!

:893drillsergeant-thSound off:893drillsergeant-th

[Gillman]

Perception is often reality, and Bulleit's packaging will encourage some to view the whiskey as a vigorous, even rough-at-the-edges product.

But it isn't like that at all. I'd put it at the higher end of the middle shelf. I'd put it above, say, EW Black or Jim Beam Black. It ranks with Weller 107 although with a different taste.

Unfortunately I find current samples not as good as the bottles first released. Initially it seemed to have a fine top-note of cinnamon red hots, and this put the product on the top shelf IMO. More recent bottlings have some of that nose and taste but not as much, and I find more woody notes in Bulleit than before (I'm speaking of the whiskey as it's tasted since first being made at Four Roses).

It's a good product which I will continue to buy, but I'm hoping it will return to the taste I recall from a few years ago.

Gary

[BourbonJoe]

It's been a long time since I've had Bulleit. I remember sharing a bottle with some friends while in Owensboro a few years back. I really did not care for it then. It was a little "rough" and unpolished. Haven't bought one since.

Joe :usflag:

[burghguy]

I happen to like Bulleit, but I must admit that my palate is not as refined as many of you on this board. I am interested about pricing, as I think on a bang -for -the -buck basis this is a pretty good dram with a nice level of rye content. Here in PA it sells for around $22. I have seen it in NY for over $27, and I currently buy it at several places in Maryland for $15.49. Why the large price disparity?

[OldJack]

I had a bottle of Bulleit last month and while my pallet is not very refined either and I'm still a bourbon noob, I do recall Bulleit seeming a tad rough. I wound up using it as an element in my first vatting (which has now become a never-ending mix of odds and ends.)

Of course, since it is the BOTM, I think I'll grab a pint and see how it strikes me now that I've tasted a few other bourbons since my last drop of Bulleit.

[CorvallisCracker]

Fabulous. One I can get, have never had and have been wanting to try.

Great choice Jeff.

[jeff]

Fabulous. One I can get, have never had and have been wanting to try.

Great choice Jeff.

Thanks, but I can't take credit for the idea. Fishnbowljoe made the suggestion for this month.

[OscarV]

I like Bulleit quite a bit, very good on the rocks.

And yes I did fall for the story, bottle and label when I first saw it.

In MI we can get it in both the 750ml and the 375ml which is odd because 375's are almost non-existence in the bourbon line.

It must be popular here.

[Ryan]

I nearly bought this one over Memorial Day, however, WL Antique was the same price. I guess I will have to pick up the Bulleit this weekend!:grin:

[mozilla]

I am not a fan of this pour. Last time I gave it a run....I was overwhelmed by an industrial quality. Very raw and bitter.

I have a very hard time believing that Diageo is using only Four Roses juice for this one. Unless, Diageo has specified a certain style of product in their contract with Kirin, which I doubt. I would also be interested to know at what age Diageo is getting their supplies from Kirin and where it is warehoused afterwards. One would think SW would be a likely coulpret. I know that SW is holding product for some other distilleries so why not their own?

Does anyone have some info to help fill in the blanks?

We have bottles all the way up to the handle here in Texas. Sales for Bulliet were very slow at the store I worked for a few years back.....it just didn't have a good buzz with the bourbon crowd.

[fishnbowljoe]

Thanks Jeff. Was at the store last Sunday. The wife and son went grocery shopping while I hit the liquor department. My wife and son finished their shopping and I was still there trying to decide which new bourbon(s) I was going to buy. I got the "wife" look. That meant it was time to go. My son (he's 24) suggested Bulleit. (He even pronounced it right!) So, I grabbed a bottle, despite the fact that it wasn't on my list of bourbons that I was interested in trying. Later that night I tried it. Even though this bourbon is stronger than ones I usually have, it was much smoother than I thought it would be. Hmmmmmmmm? I tried a small taste straight, and then with some ice. Pretty good and not as harsh as I expected. When I added some Sierra Mist, Bam! The flavors jumped out at me. Bold, earthy, with a tinge of leather, and the biggest surprise was just a hint of something sweet in the background. The only way I can describe it is lavender, or maybe violet or plum. The name and bottle had me fooled. Frontier Whiskey! I was expecting something out of the old days that was gonna make my hair stand up. I think I've learned my lesson. Don't have any expectations or preconceived notions about what might lie ahead. Just take any bourbon as it comes to you. Taste and enjoy. Maybe I'm finally starting to get the hang of things a bit. Thanks to all for help in my enlightenment. It's much appreciated. Joe

[HighTower]

I am quite a fan of the 90 proof US bottled Bulleit that we used to have in Australia. I still have a couple of bottles in my stash.

Now, we have an 80 proof version that is bottled in the UK.

I asked Jim Rutledge about it and he said Diageo would like more product than FR will supply them so he suggested they have cut it to make it go further.

The 80 proof bottling is far from great. I suspect they cut it with water out of the Thames.:skep:

Scott

[CorvallisCracker]

Picked up a bottle on the way home. This month it's on sale, $21.95 instead of the usual $25.95. Talk about perfect timing.

Nose features corn, rye (I believe I read in Chuck's book that it's 30%, the highest of any bourbon), and, I swear, the faint aroma of roasted marshmallows. Palate entry is smooth and remains so. Nice flavors of corn, rye, nuts and a little wood. Just a little burn on the finish.

A very good, but not great, bourbon. Not likely to replace my standard pours (BT and Weller Antique) but an interesting bourbon to have around because of the high rye content.

[cas]

I bought a bottle a couple years ago and found it pleasant, and it didn't sit on the shelf half-finished for a long time, but I've not been tempted to buy another.

Craig

[spun_cookie]

I gave this a shot about 6 times before I decided it was not my bag. What I have done since is mix it (3 parts WTRR90 to 1 part Bulliet) to get a much better product.

It gave the RR90 some body and the Bulliet some refinement. The Bulliet is so stout that it took a 3:1 to get balance.

[Gillman]

Excellent vatting!

Gary

[VERITAS]

I like Bulleit on the rocks and often use it to mix drinks. While it is not my favorite to drink straight straight, I am a big fan.

I had a chance to have a few drinks with Tom Bulleit while I was in Kentucky and was blown away by what a great guy he is. Chatted for a few hours about everything under the sun. Had nothing but good things to say about all of his competitors. I was definitely a bigger Bulleit fan when I left than I was before I showed up. First class in my book.

[spun_cookie]

Excellent vatting!

Gary

Thank you sir... It 'tis tasty.

[CorvallisCracker]

Excellent vatting!

Gary

I wonder if that would work with WT RB (don't have any RR 90).

[OscarV]

Bold, earthy, with a tinge of leather, and the biggest surprise was just a hint of something sweet in the background.

Yeah,...and I'll also say that Bulleit is very under rated here on SB.com.

[spun_cookie]

I wonder if that would work with WT RB (don't have any RR 90).

Don't know. My WTRBs are very good. I used the WTRR because it lacked any body to it. I would think it would work with any light bourbon you wanted to add some muscle to.

Old Forester 80/86 proof

AA 80

Etc...

[CorvallisCracker]

Don't know. My WTRBs are very good. I used the WTRR because it lacked any body to it. I would think it would work with any light bourbon you wanted to add some muscle to.

Old Forester 80/86 proof

AA 80

Etc...

Hmmm. Don't think I have any bourbons that qualify as "light".

Maybe some Canadian Club 15yo.

[HighTower]

Hmmm. Don't think I have any bourbons that qualify as "light".

Maybe some Canadian Club 15yo.

I keep seeing you refer to CC 15yo.....I have never seen it....is it a new product or has it been around a while? I am a fan of the 12yo and I love the 20yo......

Scott

[CorvallisCracker]

I keep seeing you refer to CC 15yo.....I have never seen it....is it a new product or has it been around a while? I am a fan of the 12yo and I love the 20yo......

I think the 15 year old CC was available only briefly in the US, and apparently a flop (though it may still be sold in Canada, Europe and Japan).

Gary told me (via chat I believe) that it's only released occasionally.

In 2006 Market Square Liquors in Tallahassee was selling it at closeout for $20, the same as the 12yo. I bought one and tried it side-by-side with the 12yo. It's definitely better than the latter, so I bought two more.

My notes:

Deep amber color, with caramel, nut and cigar-box aromas. A complex blend of toffee, caramel corn, oak and honey, with a nice tang from the rye. Finishes much smoother than the 12 year old.

Here's a pic.

The bottles were packaged in funky metal boxes with pictures of Canadian wildlife. I acquired the full set - The Moose, The Bear and, my favorite, The Beaver. Right now I'm pretty sure The Moose is in the garage, holding nuts, bolts, etc. The Bear is in my closet, holding pistol ammo. My wife stashes cookies in The Beaver, which I'm still trying to find.

As for what you have - I've never seen the 20yo.

ADDED VIA EDIT:

I should mention that this is my last bottle. I'm trying to go easy on it, which is all the more challenging in that my wife likes it too.

[AVB]

Back on Christmas Eve 2005 I did a review of this. Take that under consideration if you want to read it here.