Bulleit Bourbon Barrel Strength

This is a 121.8 proof bottle - batch 8. It cost me $38.99 for a fifth at a Total Wine here in Albuquerque. There's no age statement, and the mash bill is 68% corn, 28% rye, and 4% sprouted barley. It has a definite copper color. NOSE: This is a far more complex nose than you'd expect from the general reputation of Bulleit bourbon, and it's certainly more complex than the standard 90 proof expression. Through several sips I got Roasted corn, caramel, cinnamon toast, brown sugar, vanilla buttercream icing, green summer leaves, a fresh plowed field, maple syrup, a little bit of sweet smoke, and vanilla ice cream. MOUTHFEEL: Creamy. TASTE: I got cinnamon, honey, red pepper, brown sugar, honey butter, and a very faint oak note. It would concern me that I get so much less on the palate than I do on the nose, but I've learned that my mouth is considerably less sensitive than my nose - this is a typical occurrence. FINISH: Honey, cinnamon, spicy oak, and a lingering milk chocolate. Overall the finish is medium in length. SUMMARY: This is an excellent bourbon, with a good proof. It has a delightfully complex nose and a highly satisfying palate. And the price is right. I'll definitely buy this stuff again. RATING: On my personal rating scale it comes out at the 7th level (counting from the bottom), which is Right Fine. This is equivalent to 4.375 stars out of five, 87.5/100, or 8.75/10.

Nose: Marshmallow, oak, vanilla, creamy, with cinnamon and black pepper spice. Possibly butterscotch or custard, but uncertain. Palate: Intense! Wonderful! The cinnamon and pepper spices strike first. Tobacco and oak emerge next, followed by caramel, vanilla, and marshmallows. The increased proof is beneficial here. Finish: The warmth is noticeable and welcome! The texture is pleasant compared to lower proof options tonight, though not exceptional. This doesn't detract from its quality. It's just warm and appreciated. Perhaps more oak at the end than usual.

The nose has a sweet and caramel aroma. Oak is the primary flavor, with caramel sweetness following. There's a subtle complexity in the transition. For the proof, the finish is much shorter than I would anticipate. Overall, this is a very pleasant pour. The oak is quite prominent, but the sweetness I enjoy returns, which is very enjoyable.

Really liked this one. Cherry is prominent. It's spicy, but drinks easily for its strength. Surprisingly harmonious and smooth, with a medium finish. It's almost too easy to drink; it doesn't lack anything, it's just very drinkable. A straightforward bourbon, works well in an Old Fashioned. I would get another bottle.

I saw another review stating this was just the regular Bulleit at a higher proof, and I have to agree. There's nothing overly special about it. A little more oak, sweetness, and some spiciness. It's not bad, but at its price point, there are simply too many other options I'd prefer to drink.

Nose: brown sugar, spice Palate: orange, spice, caramel, ethanol Finish: quite short, with some spice and ethanol burn Intense but acceptable... adding water or ice improves it somewhat, but it's not outstanding for a full-proof bourbon. It quickly gives me a headache.