Bulleit Frontier Whiskey has unveiled Bulleit 20-Year-Old Straight Rye, the brand’s oldest rye expression to date. The whiskey is limited to just 1,776 individually numbered bottles and will go on sale in July 2026 at the Bulleit Distillery and select cities nationwide.
The release was developed by the Bulleit Distilling Co. team, with the blend crafted by Nicole Austin, director of American whiskey liquid development and capabilities at Diageo.
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It is made from Bulleit’s signature 95% rye mashbill and aged for two decades. Austin led the barrel selection and blending process, choosing barrels capable of carrying 20 years of age while preserving the brand’s bold rye character.
“With a rye this mature, the challenge is finding barrels where age adds depth without overwhelming the grain,” said Austin. “We wanted the spice and structure that define Bulleit Rye to stay front and center, while allowing twenty years of maturation to reveal new layers of complexity.”
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She added: “The final whiskey has the spice people expect from Bulleit, with a depth that could only come from time.”
The whiskey was distilled in Lawrenceburg, Indiana, and aged for 20 years in Kentucky warehouses. It is bottled at cask strength, with an ABV of 68.5% (137 proof).
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READ THE STORYAccording to the official notes from the brand, the nose opens with aromas of seasoned oak, warm baking spice and dried fruit. The palate carries notes of caramelized sweetness, dark fruit and spice, leading to a long, layered finish.
The launch builds on Bulleit’s role in reviving the rye category. The brand created Bulleit 95 Rye at the request of bartenders seeking more edge in their cocktails.
“Rye has always had a certain edge to it, which is exactly why it made sense for Bulleit from the brand’s inception,” said Brian Blackiston, brand manager for Bulleit Frontier Whiskey at Diageo.
He added: “Bulleit 20-Year-Old Rye pays homage to that history while building on our own, showing what our signature rye character can become after two decades in barrel.”
The whiskey carries a suggested retail price of $299 (£221) for a 750ml bottle. Bottles can be reserved for pickup at the Bulleit Distilling Company via AnyRoad.
Founded in 1987, Bulleit is owned by drinks giant Diageo.
