Bulleit '87: Where Bourbon Meets Rye for Bold Flavor
Ah, the whiskey world never stands still. Enter Bulleit '87— a daring debut that fuses bourbon's sweetness with rye's spice, standing bold-faced and ready to make its mark. Have a seat, pour yourself a glass, and let’s chew over how this blend promises to shake up bar shelves and taste buds across the country.
A New Frontier for Bulleit
Named after the year of Bulleit's founding, Bulleit '87 signals more than historical nostalgia. It's the distillery's first new core expression since Bulleit 95 Rye hit the scene back in 2011. With this blend of bourbon and rye, Bulleit is clearly aiming to blend tradition with a bit of frontier flair. It's not just about riding on its established reputation but braving into new taste territory.
The game changer here? It's packed at an assertive 90 proof, 45% ABV, crafted to be sipped neat. Its creation involved bourbon distilled, barreled, and aged in Kentucky and rye whiskies distilled in Indiana. These spirits, after basking in their oak-filled habitats for a minimum of four years, get their romantic ending under one roof in Shelbyville, Kentucky.
A Taste to Remember
If Bulleit '87 were to lean over the bar and whisper, it’d tell you about caramel and brown sugar notes picking a lovely fight with baking spices and woody undertones. The finish cuddles up with you, bringing a gentle sweet-and-spicy warmth. It's a bit of an adventure for the glass, that kind you might order again just to see if it tells you the same story twice. R&D Manager Phil Gelineau compares sipping it to savoring cake, where the bourbon's your sponge, and the rye the tantalizing chocolate shavings.
Taking Whiskey to the Streets
Bulleit isn't just keeping their newest concoction under wraps in dusty old liquor shops. Oh no. '87 is hitching a ride across 15 cities in the lines of Los Angeles, New Orleans, and New York in a sampling tour paired with local bites. Think whiskey taste meets street vibes—an idea to evoke what's inspired Diageo's Bulleit brand for decades.
"87 brings together everything that makes Bulleit great," states Jenika Newsum, Senior Brand Manager.
So, when you're home or wandering some festival street, consider it your cue to check your local liquor laws, grab that sweet $29.99 bottle, and have your pour.
The Bulleit Legacy Continues
Part of what makes Bulleit a household name among whiskey lovers is its innovative spirit. The brand shifted gears two decades ago by using a high-rye mashbill when others swore by corn. Now, with Bulleit '87, they're closing the loop on that innovation cycle, perhaps proving once more that playing by traditional rules isn't the only way.
For them, it’s never just about filling a void on the shelf but filling it with character, flavor, and a tip of the hat to what innovators and bartenders dream up. Whiskey, after all, has always been personal.
Pouring Over Sustainability
Beyond the bottle, there's craft smarts behind the spirit. Bulleit’s standout operation in Shelbyville, KY taps not just into heritage, but into technology and sustainability. Developing a responsible approach to making whiskey isn't just in vogue; it's about ensuring the future stays as bold as the whisky going into today's glasses.
- Founding Year: 1987
- Proof: 90
- ABV: 45%
- Retail Price: $29.99
- Cities on Tour: 15
At the end of the day, whether you're a bourbon traditionalist or rye rebel, Bulleit '87 drops into glassware with a cheer for the wide-open frontier of flavor. Who's ready to sip this bold new creation?
