🥃 Bulleit
Kentucky high-rye bourbon brand; grain: corn 68%, rye 28%, barley 4%; 45% ABV (90 proof); revived by Tom Bulleit in 1987; owned by Diageo.
Bulleit is a Kentucky high-rye bourbon brand produced by Diageo, a staple of American whiskey shelves and bar backs. The grain in the recipe is 68% corn, 28% rye and 4% barley, and the standard version has 45% ABV (90 proof). The brand's story is linked to Tom Bulleit, who revived the family recipe in 1987.
History. According to VinePair, Tom Bulleit's relatives link the first bottling to 1830, when Augustus Bulleit bottled his first batch. This date is based on family accounts rather than documented fact. In 1987 Tom and Betsy Bulleit launched the Bulleit Distilling Company with their own money. The brand was later acquired by Diageo.
How it is made. A recipe with 28% rye gives a spicier, drier profile than bourbons with more corn. For bourbon, US law requires at least 51% corn, distillation to no more than 160 proof, and ageing in new charred oak barrels. Diageo's distillery in Shelbyville, Kentucky, opened in March 2017; its capacity is up to 1.8 million proof gallons a year. According to trade descriptions, production also takes place in Lebanon.
Range. Besides Bulleit Bourbon there is Bulleit Rye, Bulleit '87 and a single malt whisky.
Why this matters to you. Bulleit Rye is a separate product with a much higher share of rye, not the same as Bulleit Bourbon. Strength depends on the market: 45% ABV for the US, and lower in some countries. The WHO reminds us that there is no safe level of alcohol consumption.
Facts
| Year founded | revived 1987 (Tom Bulleit); family legend — 1830 |
|---|---|
| Legal basis | US 27 CFR 5.143 (bourbon: at least 51% corn, new charred oak barrels) |
| EU category | 2 — whisky (whisky/whiskey) |
| Raw material | corn 68%, rye 28%, barley 4%; water |
| Cask type | new charred oak barrels (requirement for bourbon) |
| Minimum maturation | for straight bourbon — at least 2 years |
| Alcohol (% vol.) | 45% ABV (US); lower in some markets |
How it connects to Spirits
Links
- Previous step
- 🥃 Diageo
- Packed in
- 🐝 American white oak, 🍷 Oak barrel
- Made from
- 🥃 Rye and corn in whisky
- What it contains
- 🧪 Water, 🍷 Ethanol
- What it affects
- 🍷 Alcohol and health, 🍷 Drunk driving
- Part of
- 🥃 Bourbon whiskey, 🥃 Whisky
- Similar and different
- 🥃 Maker's Mark, 🥃 Jack Daniel's, 🥃 Royal Stag, 🥃 Royal Stag, 🥃 Pappy Van Winkle's Family Reserve, 🥃 Pappy Van Winkle's Family Reserve, 🥃 Four Roses Bourbon, 🥃 Four Roses Small Batch, 🥃 Four Roses Single Barrel, 🥃 Four Roses Small Batch Select
Frequently asked questions
What is the mash bill of Bulleit Bourbon?
68% corn, 28% rye and 4% malted barley, according to VinePair. The high rye share is why it tastes spicier and drier than bourbons with more corn.
Has Bulleit really been made since 1830?
That date comes from family accounts, which say Augustus Bulleit bottled the first batch. The sources give no documentary proof; the modern brand dates from 1987.
What ABV and proof is Bulleit Bourbon in the US and elsewhere?
45% ABV (90 proof) in the main US market. Some countries get a weaker version at 40% ABV, so check the bottle.
Where is Bulleit distilled?
At Diageo's distillery in Shelbyville, Kentucky, opened in March 2017; trade descriptions also mention Lebanon. Older batches came from other distilleries.
Which glass suits Bulleit, a rocks glass or a Glencairn?
A rocks glass for ice or cocktails, a Glencairn for sipping neat.
What to read next
- 🍷 Alcohol and health — Alcohol in any drink is harmful in large amounts, and the risks grow with the quantity.
- 🍷 Ethanol — The alcohol formed during fermentation that makes you drunk.
- 🧪 Water — ~87% of milk.
- 🐝 American white oak — A North American oak that gives wine strong vanilla and coconut notes.
- 🥃 Jack Daniel's — Tennessee whiskey from Lynchburg, Tennessee (USA), owned by Brown-Forman: before aging, the spirit is filtered through about three metres of sugar maple charcoal. Old No. 7 is 40% ABV (80 proof).
Similar
🥃 Four Roses · 🥃 Pappy Van Winkle's Family Reserve · 🥃 Baker's · 🥃 Old Crow · 🥃 Woodford Reserve · 🥃 Blanton's
⚠️ Spirit drinks contain alcohol and are for adults only. Alcohol harms health. Do not drink during pregnancy or before driving; check the label for ingredients and possible allergens.
What it includes
Sources
- VinePair: 10 things you should know about Bulleit Bourbon (Tom Bulleit, 1987 revival, 68/28/4 mash bill, 45 %, Diageo, Shelbyville plant 2017)
- Bulleit: official site (core range: Bourbon, Rye, Bulleit '87)
- US 27 CFR 5.143: standards of identity for whisky (bourbon: min. 51 % corn, distilled to max. 160 proof, new charred oak at max. 125 proof; straight: min. 2 years)
- WHO/Europe: No level of alcohol consumption is safe for our health (04.01.2023)