Bulleit Bottled in Bond Bourbon (Spring 2017)

Bulleit is one of those companies that historically excelled with only a couple of well-known products. In recent years, they've expanded significantly, introducing numerous permanent and limited releases. While this expansion often signals a decline in quality, Bulleit has largely maintained its standards across these new offerings. This bonded bourbon is no exception and warrants no hesitation. Its age is remarkable considering current market conditions, but even more impressive is Bulleit's foresight in planning for this product nearly a decade ago, securing the necessary government-approved storage facilities back in 2017. The color is lighter than anticipated for its age, appearing more a deep brown than sherry, yet less intense than expected, leaning towards golden overall. The legs are quite thick, and the aroma is potent from a distance. Up close, it reveals notes of sweet and savory toffee, caramel sauce, and a subtle bready or biscuit character. The expected spicy rye is also present, mingling with cinnamon and a gentle sweetness, complemented by a hint of citrus. A faint but surprising note of sourness, reminiscent of blue cheese, is also detected. The palate begins with a somewhat thin body, but this is deceptive, as a wave of spicy cinnamon and cracked rye quickly warms the entire mouth. It intensifies the characteristics found in other Bulleit bourbon and rye expressions. Pushing past the spice, one discovers notes of dry, toasted oak, a touch of lemon zest, and a hint of vanilla creaminess. The finish lingers primarily on the gums, with the cinnamon and spice remaining strong and almost overpowering for a considerable duration. It's amusing how often Bulleit's "frontier whiskey" subtitle is overlooked, despite its presence on labels and bottles. If their standard products are "frontier whiskey," this one feels like it hails from a bygone era – rougher, dustier, and requiring a more arduous journey to the stills. It's generally very enjoyable, assuming one can tolerate the intensity, and the price is reasonable at its suggested retail value. It falls short of a perfect score due to its limited availability, which is frustrating in a market where consumers struggle to acquire desired products, and because Bulleit has proven its capability to produce not only a bonded offering but also a remarkably potent one. Its future availability remains uncertain.

The aroma is straightforward and classic, featuring vanilla, caramel, cinnamon, and oak, with added hints of leather, char, and black pepper. After some time, a subtle musty note emerges, which is a pleasant surprise. Don't mistake "classic" for unappealing, as the scent is quite delightful. The ethanol presence is very low. The palate mirrors the aroma but enhances it; notes of French vanilla ice cream, Rolo candy, tobacco, orange peel, and some rather mature oak for what is considered a mid-aged bourbon. The flavors could benefit from a bit more richness and depth, but the existing elements are harmonious and well-integrated. This might be the finest bourbon for an Old Fashioned I've ever encountered. The finish offers an ice cream sundae, caramel-drizzled flan, and just enough spice from pepper and cinnamon to prevent it from becoming overly sweet. My only critique is its fleeting nature. The mouthfeel is a lighter medium body, but with a delicate smoothness that complements the flavor profile effectively. It's surprisingly excellent, and my favorite Bulleit product to date. It doesn't break new ground, but sometimes a dependable, tasty bourbon at a fair price is all you need. I understand this is Bulleit's own distillate after a history of sourcing, and I believe it signals promising future releases. At $59.99, it surpasses many bourbons that carry inflated secondary market prices. Yes, I stand by that statement. It's set to become a regular in my collection.

BULLEIT BIB 7 YR A deep hue between dark brown sherry and old oak. *NOSE: Oak notes are prominent, accompanied by walnut shell, barnyard, and aged leather. Subtle floral, orange peel, burnt sugar, cinnamon, and a touch of heat are present. Outstanding! *NEAT: The texture is substantial, clinging, and slightly zesty. It begins sweeter than the aroma suggests, with notes of vanilla cola, brown sugar, cocoa powder, and peanut butter cookie dough. Baking spices like clove and cinnamon emerge, creating a confectionary feel. Mid-palate has pleasant tannins, with heat and spice on the finish. Orange peel, vanilla, cinnamon, and oak layer on the palate, while a warming sensation spreads through the chest. *SPLASH: A bit of water transforms the palate into a Tootsie Roll flavor with Double Bubble gum on the finish. This will be excellent with ice (confirmed later). *VERDICT: I really enjoy this. It's the inaugural release of their own distillate and significantly differs from their sourced selections since inception. The unique flavor profile should help them distinguish themselves. They deserve commendation for not rushing a product to market prematurely. Initially, the $55 price seemed high (comparable to their excellent Bulleit 10YR), placing it near HH 6 year and HMcK 10 year prices (typical of Bourbon in 2025). Bulleit's debut is, if not a grand slam, at least a solid extra-base hit.

Color: Medium Copper-Amber Nose: Maple/brown sugar, leather Palate: (Served with an ice cube) An immediate spicy tingle on the tongue with oak tannins, followed by a moderate warmth in the chest. I'm detecting a good amount of barrel char. As the ice melts, notes of holiday spices and licorice emerge. Pleasant. Finish: Medium length with lingering spices and more of the licorice detected on the palate. Final Thoughts: Well, this is quite good. Compared to the orange label Bourbon, the 10 Year Bourbon, and the Rye from Bulleit that I've tried before, this is definitely my favorite of the four. Interestingly, when I returned to the store today to speak with the liquor manager about my purchases, he mentioned that this bottle sells out quickly. Apparently, it's quite popular, as there were none left. I'm glad I bought it. Rating: 3.75 stars.

It leaves nice streaks in the glass. The nose is mild, with apple, hay, cardamom, and hints of allspice and cinnamon. The palate is met with strong cinnamon, white pepper, and cardamom, lacking fruitiness. The finish does suggest dough, like a cinnamon crisp, and the apple emerges somewhat. It delivers a robust warmth for its proof. Adding ice softened the pepper, but the cinnamon remained potent, and the crisp note appeared sooner. Both preparations are enjoyable. It's not particularly sweet. A bit more fruit would have elevated this whiskey, but I do appreciate it.

Bulleit Bottled in Bond Bourbon, aged seven years and distilled by the distillery, presents robust scents of brown sugar, caramel, and toasted wood. The taste delivers notes of cinnamon roll, vanilla, raspberry, and caramelized sugar, complemented by a slick texture. The conclusion offers walnut, peppery rye, and subtle tannins, providing a harmonious sweetness and lasting heat. This is my preferred bottle from Bulleit and quite possibly one of my top Bottled in Bond selections.