Bulleit 12 Year Rye (2019 Release)

This 12-year-old offering, likely from MGP with its 95-5 mash bill, presents itself as a top contender in the 95% rye category, and it probably is. For me, this marks a significant point in my ongoing consideration of 'pure rye' versus high-corn rye, a difficult choice as I appreciate both for different reasons. Firstly, the 12-year Bulleit rye is an exceptionally good rye. The aroma is wonderfully pure and rich, with dill, caraway, pumpernickel, and whatever constitutes 'rye spice,' all present in generous, warm amounts. On the palate, you experience that signature hot, spicy bite characteristic of rye, and while it's clearly potent, it remains clean and pure. The extended barrel aging imparts a noticeable sweet wood note, which is barely, if at all, present in standard 3-6 year old 95% ryes. It's not quite vanilla or caramel, but rather a general sweetness. While it lacks some of the character and sweetness of 3-grain ryes, this does not diminish the fact that this is simply a damn good and flavorful rye. As one of the more expensive options in the lineup, it at least meets some of that high expectation. However, you won't find an overly complex profile or any truly unexpected notes, which I suspect is because a 95-5 rye is simply incapable of developing the more profound barrel influences that create the more unique and elaborate notes found in well-aged bourbons. Despite the extra aging, it still tastes like a 95-5 MGP rye. This leads to the dilemma: is it truly worth the effort and extra cost to find a fairly acceptable and readily available rye flavor that is only marginally enhanced? That's a personal decision. Cheers!

Nose: fantastic, this is why whiskey is great. Menthol, baking soda, sugary candy, vanilla, dried botanicals, spun sugar, raspberry. A rich aroma if you explore it. Taste: spun sugar (it fades quickly even through the aftertaste), lemon peel, vegetal spice, finishing with soil notes. Experience: strolling through a garden of herbs and citrus while drinking sweetened tea. Sweet and soil flavors combine with a botanical hint. Note: this is the typical Bulleit rye amplified. If you enjoy the original, you will appreciate this slightly more, but if you dislike the original, this won't sway you. Allow it to breathe or revisit after opening and using the bottle; initially, I was let down by its similarity to the standard rye, but after about a week, I discovered the depth the standard version is missing.

The final sips of this bottle have made my opinion of it improve significantly. For its cost, this is a truly pleasant rye. It presents substantial flavor depth and considerable complexity considering its price point. However, this is definitely a rye for rye enthusiasts; it doesn't lean towards bourbon and brings a potent rye spice. As I'm a fan of rye, it has my approval. If you enjoy rye, consider trying this for $50.

On the nose, I'm getting ginger, nutmeg, fresh lime, spun sugar, fennel, spearmint, and toffee. An unusual mix, to say the least. On the palate, it starts with a generic sugar cane sweetness, followed by rye spice, nutmeg, ginger, a touch of vanilla, and prominent anise. The finish features white pepper, more anise, and plenty of bitter oak, with a bit of a kick and medium length. The mouthfeel is light and grainy. Despite feeling somewhat disjointed and chaotic, the overall experience is greater than the individual components. It's enjoyable, but at this price point, it's not a top selection. I'm glad I tried it, but at $54, it's not quite worth buying again.

This is what rye ought to taste like, consistently. Unfortunately, the time element is crucial here. The initial aroma from the glass is immediately woody and deceptively sweet, reminiscent of a bourbon. The first taste delivers that sweet, marinated oak, but transitions quite easily and quickly into the familiar mash bill of Bulleit rye. Finally, one of the market's best value ryes has been properly enhanced into the spicy, woody finish that I, at least, constantly seek in rye whiskeys. It's difficult to put down, so please excuse my wallet.

Drank it straight. The aroma is amazing, packed with vanilla and cooked fruit. Vibrant fruit notes like apples and apricots appear, with toasted marshmallow tucked beneath these prominent scents. Truly wonderful. It has a thin, somewhat diluted mouthfeel. The flavor is excellent and mirrors the aroma. The legs linger longer than expected. Damn! It's a shame this isn't stronger. At 110 proof, I'm convinced this would be comparable to Willet (also MGP, I know). It's very good, but it has the potential to be absolutely outstanding with more body.