Hannah’s Bulleit Bourbon Review
Original review written on November 18, 2019
GENERAL DESCRIPTION:
A nice blend for the price to be sure. But this is definitely priced correctly. Any higher and my eyebrow would go up with it. A little boring, if I’m quite honest in comparison to my favs that are big and bold. However, this isn’t bad, and if ever on a TIGHT budget, I could be convinced to purchase again. While my mixing know-how is limited, I imagine this one would be good in a cocktail capacity. 83/100
VITALS:
– Made in: Kentucky, USA
– Producer: Diageo
– Distiller: Sourced – MGP; likely supplied by Four Roses Distillery until 2016*
– Classification: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
– Age: nas
– Mash Bill: Corn=68%; Rye=28%; Barley=4%*
– Casks: undisclosed char
– Barrel Entry Proof: undisclosed
– ABV: 45% (90 proof)
– Price: $26.95 USD in Idaho
*Notes taken from Bulleit’s website: bulleit.com
ENJOYMENT METHOD:
I enjoyed this juice neat from a Glencairn glass with father and fellow Whiskey for the Ages reviewer, Brian.
Check out his review of this bourbon here!
SETTING:
On a scorching hot, summer day, climb up into an old tree amidst bright, yellow-green leaves. Take a nap with your back against the trunk, hat over your eyes and feet dangling. Bulleit will be the lullaby to get you there.
Photo by D. Jameson RAGE on Unsplash
NOSE:
Yeast is very prominent on the first draws, taking on an almost stuffing-like-quality. With more coaxing, a simple brown sugar comes together with pumpkin, of all things. Hazelnuts accompany them all just at the back of the palate for a twinge of bitterness. Little spice or alcohol is there regardless of how dangerously you’re sniffing.
For wood, pine dominates but this combines surprisingly with sweet corn (Note: my dad and I came to both odd flavors separately!)
For under $30, I’ll say I’m impressed. Pricing aside though, this isn’t the worst, but it is far from the best.
PALATE:
– Mouth feel: very thin, mellow and a touch watery. This is by far my biggest problem with this bourbon.
– Balance: Pretty impressed with the blend for the price.
– Visual: By far the lightest bourbon I have had to date (Nov 19, 2019) at a chestnut sherry color, and it offers medium legs with a minimal crown and droplets.
– Taste: The rye is more pronounced on the taste, but at 90 proof, the spice and burn is mild. Additionally, there’s a wet hay component (in the sense that I can chew it – not that it is bad) that couples with candy corn. No, it’s not as bad as it sounds.
Simple sugar and light vanilla pair together for sweetness between sips. Discernible fruits present include figs and the granny smith apple. The oak is there, but only just, and even this is sweet.
With a Kentucky chew, rye is overpowering with a bit of leather. The rye also seems to take on a slight briny quality (likely the coppery notes my dad notes in his comments). The only other savory tone I get is reminiscent of frozen peanuts.
Overall, simple, but I’m not mad.
FINISH:
– Lasting power: I’m going with a short finish, but there’s a little warmth that coats the tongue. Doesn’t go much beyond that.
– No More: Hay becomes much more pronounced on the taste the further into the glass I get. The sweetness behind it is also still there, but I’m not sure it is the candy corn anymore. But it is a bit sickly sweet. Not bad enough to be greatly opposed to it, but it is a hurdle to contend with, if I’m honest. The other flavors listed above have already completely faded away except for the rye.
The empty Glencairn is full of fresh sawed wood piled higher and higher and higher…
WORTH THE PRICE?
Yes
RATING: 83/100
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