Bulleit 10 Year Bourbon

I bought a bottle of Bulleit (orange label) a while back — as in, back when I first started on my bourbon journey. Along with Michter's, Four Roses SB, and a couple others, it was one of the first I'd ever had. As such, I had no real comparisons to make, nor enough experience to really weigh in on it. About a year later, I ordered a pour one night while out with friends, and I did not like it at all. So I have avoided Bulleit since. But I recently read some good things here about this 10 Year, and it sounded like maybe I should not base my opinions of Bulleit soley on their lower AS offering. Well, I'm glad I took the leap of faith, because this 10 Year is a whole 'nother story. I like it very much... Color: Medium Amber. Nose: Alcohol, oak. Palate: Initially spicy (no surprise considering the % of rye in the mash bill). Buttery mouth feel. Slight sweetness. Oak. Very little burn going down. As the ice dissolved and opened things up, I got hit with a nice dose of black licorice. Nice! One of the things that swayed me to pull the trigger on this bottle was the "smoky" profile it's been given in the expert and user reviews. Unfortunately, I did not get the smokiness. Maybe on subsequent pours? Finish: Very buttery with a "pound cake" quality. More oak. I'm just finishing my first pour, and am going back for more! Good stuff.

The nose is bright with spicey notes upfront. Honey, vanilla, and mint are present with green apple and citrus also apparent. The taste is sweeter than the nose with brown sugar, maple syrup, and vanilla notes strongly accentuated. The nosing suggests a burn would be forthcoming due to the spicey nose but this was rather mild and quickly dissipated. There was some bitterness but overall this is a decent offering from Bulleit but not better than there rye. For those who love a spicey nosing this one may be for you but for the price, there are far better for less. Overall: Nose - 3.5/5 Taste - 3/5 Overall: 3.25/5 Repurchase: No Type: Daily Sipper

I like this bourbon. It's not complex, but it's balanced and is a nice representation of a high-rye bourbon. It's surprisingly bright and lively (in a very good way) for a 10 year bourbon. If you like Four Roses Small Batch, but find Four Roses Single Barrel a little too floral, try Bulleit 10 Year. Personally, I think Four Roses Single Barrel is an overall better bourbon (taste and price-wise). However, Bulleit 10 isn't too far from the mark. Just a little too low on the proof for my tastes. If it were 100+ proof, or even better, cask strength at the same price, I'd make sure to always have a few bottles on hand.

The selection of bourbon in Europe is mediocre at best, so this is as good as it gets. Predictable notes of honey, caramel and cinnamon emerge on the nose, accompanied by overripe banana, varnish and a touch of glue. Bold spices overwhelm the sweet arrival with virgin oak, ginger and white pepper at the forefront. Intense sweetness returns with a vengeance, throwing maple syrup, maraschino cherries and vanilla into the mix. Bulleit 10 tastes overaged and yet a bit rough. Rock candy, cocoa and tannins push into the simple finish. Where is my Scotch? RATING: 3.2/5.0 stars ≙ 81 pts → AVERAGE [+]

The only way this could sound more American is if it were called Gun Bourbon. Strong oak, caramel, and a bit of smoky rye spice on the nose. Very sweet and fruity on the palate. Apples, cherries and peaches. Lengthy, warm finish where the oaks and tannins come back in varying degrees. If you like your bourbon on the sweeter side, this is a good option. It hits all the classic notes and that little bit of extra rye spices things up. The bottle is cool, looks like something cowboys would drink, then throw the glass behind their back and shoot it before it hits the floor.

Well rounded but also intense and insistent nose that's not particularly woody but rather dry and reminiscent of grain and cereal with hints of pepper and vanilla after breathing for a bit. Neat flavor mostly repeats the nose but feels pretty scratchy but also waxy with hints of dry red wine in the aftertaste. With coke it's an interesting juxtaposition of the bourbon's dryness and cereal against the coke's richness and sweetness.