Bulleit has built its reputation on bold, spicy whiskey. Its signature high-rye bourbon is a familiar sight on liquor store shelves and behind cocktail bars, while its 95% rye whiskey has earned a loyal following among fans of the spicier side of American whiskey.
But Bulleit is about much more than those two bottles. The range now includes 10-year-old expressions, a barrel-strength bourbon, a bottled-in-bond release, and even a blend of its flagship bourbon and rye.
So, which bottles are worth the money? Does the classic bourbon hold its own against the more expensive releases? And how does the rye compare? I’ve ranked seven Bulleit whiskeys from worst to best, taking flavour, versatility, and value into account.
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READ THE STORY7. Bulleit Bourbon, 45%, $20 / £20
Something always has to come last, and unfortunately, it’s the core bourbon release. Rest assured, there’s nothing wrong with it. It just faces some stiff competition from its own family!
Bulleit Bourbon is a high-rye bourbon, with rye making up 28% of its mash bill. It’s a punchy, spicy style of bourbon that still delivers those rich caramel and vanilla notes. Another big bonus is its bottling strength of 45% ABV. If you’re not a fan of drinking it neat, it works really well in a host of different cocktails.
It makes a solid base for Old Fashioneds and Whiskey Sours, and it retains that spiciness when served over ice. It’s a really useful bottle of bourbon, but if you’re looking for bigger, bolder flavours, there are better options in the range.
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6. Bulleit ’87, 45%, $29 / £23
This is a brilliant Bulleit option if you’re looking for balance. It combines the brand’s famous rye and bourbon whiskeys in one bottle.
The result brings together the sweetness and spice of the bourbon with some of the earthier, greener notes of spearmint and coriander from the rye. It’s a really interesting combination that lends itself to several different drinking styles.
It offers a little more complexity than the classic bourbon, which is an important consideration in this ranking. The addition of rye brings a deeper, more layered flavour profile. It also works fabulously in an Old Fashioned or a simple mixed drink, especially as it’s only slightly more expensive than the classic bourbon.
I tried this with ginger beer, and it was a stunning combination. The rye and bourbon flavours really find their place alongside the sweetness and dryness of the mixer.
5. Bulleit Rye, 45%, $24 / £28
A bottle of whiskey that really divides opinion, and rightly so. I remember when this won numerous gold medals back in 2014, when I first got into spirits retail. Then I tried it, and I understood why.
With a mash bill of 95% rye, this whiskey doesn’t take any prisoners. It’s loaded with fresh mint, dill pickle, tobacco, pine, and spearmint, alongside caramel and toasted oak. It’s a style of rye that stands apart from more traditional Kentucky-style rye whiskeys.
This is a bold, powerful, and pretty intense whiskey, and I love that about it. I enjoy drinking it neat, but it also makes a fabulous Manhattan.
Rye can be a divisive style, but at this strength and price point, Bulleit Rye can hold its own against some of the best-known rye whiskeys in the world.
4. Bulleit Bourbon 10 Year Old, 45.6%, $35 / £30
When I first tried this, it was part of a blind bourbon tasting, and I thought it was really impressive.
There were lots of powerful wood notes, alongside all the welcome sweetness and spice we expect from bourbon. What really stood out, though, was the long, lingering finish that just didn’t want to stop.
In the UK, it’s priced alongside some very famous bottles, including Eagle Rare 10 Year Old and Elijah Craig Small Batch.
As much as I like those other two bourbons, the way Bulleit delivers its oak, spice, and sweetness makes things a little more interesting. Compared directly with Eagle Rare, the two are quite different. Eagle Rare is a little more laid-back, whereas the rye spice and oak influence in Bulleit push things in a bolder direction. I adore that.
It is more expensive than the standard releases, but it’s a worthy step up in terms of flavour, particularly as a neat pour.
Having access to a 10-year-old bourbon at this price is a wonderful thing. In terms of affordability, availability, and how well it showcases Bulleit’s signature flavours, I think it does an excellent job. That earns it fourth place in this ranking.
3. Bulleit Rye 10 Year Old, 45.6%, $35 / £28
I really enjoy classic Bulleit Rye, but when I got to try this older version, I completely fell in love with it.
Not only does it have all those classic Bulleit Rye notes on the nose, including spearmint, pickle, and soft spices, but it’s also become much more fruit-driven. Think baskets of fresh pears, apples, and white grapes.
The additional time in oak has really taken the spirit to another level. It’s one of the reasons older rye whiskeys can be so rewarding.
I struggled with where to place this in the ranking. Rye isn’t everyone’s thing, and older rye whiskeys are often much more expensive, harder to find, or simply not to everyone’s taste.
So, there’s definitely some personal bias here. I really love this bottle, and I think it’s something every rye whiskey fan should try for themselves.
2. Bulleit Barrel Strength, 59%+, $48 / £38
I guess this is no surprise. The guy who likes higher-proof whiskeys puts the barrel-strength bourbon in second place. I must say, though, it’s for good reason.
If you’re a Bulleit fan, this is a fantastic example of high-strength, high-rye bourbon. It doesn’t need a fancy bottle to deliver incredible flavour.
It’s full of potent orange, lemon oil, black cherry, and sweet oak dripping in caramel sauce. It does drink hot, but that shouldn’t come as much of a surprise given the strength.
This isn’t an allocated product, although it’s released in batches rather than as a continuously available expression. It’s also comparable to bottles like 1792 Full Proof.
It isn’t a budget bourbon, but it’s something I think every bourbon fan should give a chance in the glass. It stood out above several other big-brand, higher-proof bourbons for me, although that doesn’t mean it will appeal to everyone.
1. Bulleit Bottled-In-Bond, 50%, $40 / £28
I suspect I might get a little criticism for putting the most expensive bottle at number one, although the price varies depending on location. Personally, though, I think it’s absolutely wonderful.
This is an excellent example of bottled-in-bond bourbon, where all the different elements come together beautifully.
As a neat pour, it’s loaded with roasted hazelnut, sweet caramel, cherry, smoked oak, and brown sugar. The texture is so oily and rich that it puts some even more expensive recent releases to shame.
The finish is slightly drying, with plenty of sweet, deeply charred oak that keeps pushing across your palate.
It’s an excellent bottle and well worth trying as a neat pour if you spot it behind a bar. For me, it fully deserves the number one spot in this Bulleit ranking.
Are The More Expensive Bottles Worth Hunting Down?
Having tasted my way through the range, I think Bulleit offers some genuinely excellent whiskey at every price point. The standard bourbon and rye are both great value, particularly if you’re looking for something versatile enough to enjoy neat or in cocktails.
However, I do think it’s worth spending a little more if you can. The 10-year-old expressions offer noticeably more depth and complexity, while the Barrel Strength delivers big, bold flavours that will appeal to fans of higher-proof bourbon.
For me, though, the Bottled in Bond is the clear winner. At around $55, it’s not the cheapest option, but its rich texture, balance, and long finish make it well worth the extra money.
Would I recommend spending twice as much on it as the standard Bulleit Bourbon? Absolutely, if you’re planning to drink it neat. But if you just want a reliable bourbon for an Old Fashioned, the original is still a fantastic buy.
And that’s probably the biggest takeaway from this ranking. You don’t necessarily need to buy the most expensive Bulleit to get a good whiskey, but in my experience, spending a little more certainly pays off.
