Bulleit 10 Year Rye

Back to this rye whiskey, which is the best I've encountered so far, even though I recently found out that Bulleit sources all its rye. Regarding their rye offerings, it seems odd that the 12-year rye, which was once a standard for the brand before disappearing, reappeared this year, only to be followed by this 10-year version. Since they only offer standard and 10-year versions of their bourbon, it's a peculiar choice to have a standard rye alongside both 10 and 12-year options. Given the minimal age difference between 10 and 12 years, I suspect this might be a move to phase out the 12-year in favor of the 10. Bulleit's website doesn't list the 12-year rye at all, which doesn't bode well. I also observed that while both the 10 and 12-year rye variants state their age as a minimum, the 12-year release did mention using barrels up to 17 years old. Even though it was marketed as a limited edition, it makes one wonder why they would opt for a version two years younger as the 'permanent addition'. The color appears as burnished gold, but not quite mahogany. The nose presents a distinct yet balanced sweetness, with notes of toffee, biscuit, and caramel, along with a hint of lemon zest, similar to the standard aged rye. The classic Bulleit rye blend notes are also present, including grass, cracked cinnamon sticks, and a touch of stone minerality. The ethanol burn is mostly manageable, with only a slight sting, as expected at this proof. The flavor starts malty and mineral-like, but the sweetness from the extended aging distinguishes it from the standard version. The cinnamon and other spice notes are more felt on the gums than tasted, with the 'rye intensity' coming through moderately. The lemon zest appears intermittently, and the only new flavor not on the nose is a subtle floral note that emerges towards the finish, just before the air in the mouth reawakens the fiery spice of the rye. Overall, this 10-year rye is significantly different from the standard age offering and has an excellent suggested retail price for this market, especially considering its age statement, which is increasingly rare for American whiskey. It's unfortunate that this will likely replace the 12-year rye, but it does make sense to standardize the age points for both bourbon and rye for internal aging processes. While I anticipate purchasing this product more often than the standard age, the standard version still offers more vibrant and refreshing applications, as this longer-aged expression mellows with added sweetness. However, in my opinion, both will continue to be the finest examples of American rye whiskey (or at least the proper mash bill ratio) until proven otherwise. I'm not sure if Bulleit will ever move production away from MGP, but if and when that happens, I recommend acquiring a bottle before this excellent deal potentially expires.

My second tasting, approximately 16 hours after opening. Nose: Initially, there were more prominent notes of citrus, stewed apple, and mint. Now, it's more about dry herbs, cereal, and a slight hint of black licorice. Palate: SWEET cereal/grain. Soft fruit notes persist, accompanied by baking spices, very light herbs, and that refreshing Altoids-like mintiness. The mint makes this incredibly easy to drink. I noticed the difference upon first opening the bottle, but apparently, only the nose has changed significantly; the palate's alteration is minor! Finish: Smooth yet sweet cinnamon red hots with a touch of pine. The grain, herbs, and other spices play a more supporting role here. I appreciate that ryes tend to be more expressive, even with advanced age statements. It's not complex, but it is full-flavored and rich. I was searching for Bulleit 12 when I found this. There's very little information available online about this release. Cheers!

Creamy marshmallow and that distinct chalky Smarties candy aroma, accompanied by pleasant baking spices. A mellow rye presence emerges during the sip and persists. The aftertaste is of medium duration, featuring more dry rye and salty cinnamon. Overall, a complex offering at a reasonable cost.