Bulleit 12 Year Rye (2024 Release)

This one is actually insane, and I'm trying to keep my expectations down. There are very few spirits that I would buy on sight, ESPECIALLY without knowing the price, but this is one of them. I didn't quite appreciate the last release of the 12 year rye when it came out, so I longed for this one when I heard of it's release. I can't remember what I paid for it, but it doesn't really matter, at least, not right now. The MSRP for this, however, is beyond economical, especially considering the additions of barrels up to 17 years aged. I still think Bulleit/MGP has the absolute cornerstone rye whiskey, or at least understands that a proper rye whiskey is, and always should be, no less than 95% rye. Shame has already been given to distilleries that think they can pass off 55% rye whiskeys as anything other than fire starters, but the fact that this is classic 95/5 Bulleit/MGP rye that's simply aged longer excites me greatly, and I hope that enthusiasm continues through the tasting. The color, as expected, is chestnut brown mixed with a deep mahogany, but unfortunately still fairly clear with noticeable legs from the disappointing proofing down. The heavy banana notes that I usually get from the standard Bulleit rye are still present here, but not as underripe, and instead combined with brown sugar, caramel, and some lemon oil. Put-downs of the proof aside, there is a decent ethanol here, as well as a touch of stewed blue/black fruits, and a heavier body of cracked rye and cinnamon-forward baking spice. The body is too light and watery for it's own good, but flavors of brown sugar, balanced/polished oak, lemon peel, and overripe banana come into play fairly quickly, and with great balance. The rye does creep around the gum-line, but doesn't penetrate as much as I would expect, and, frankly, as much as it needs to. The finish is sweet oak and bananas foster, with familiar fresh rye grain, cinnamon, and even some used mint leaves. I would say this was disappointing, but it's honestly an excellent heavily aged American rye whiskey at it's price point. The unfortunate thing about American distilleries and whiskey in general is that almost all of them want to turn a quick profit and will try to sell their 2-3 year aged whiskeys for far more than they're worth. The fortunate thing about young whiskey, rye whiskey specifically, is that it better exemplifies the grain's flavor profile at a younger aged, as compared to the sweetness that corn needs with age, or the mellowness that wheat demands and can only achieve with longer aging. All that being said, this can be sold for pennies because it's an MGP product, but props still to Bulleit for not pulling the rug out from under us and keeping it very affordable. You won't find many options with this level of age statement, but when you do (Whistlepig, Templeton, etc), you'll pay an arm and a leg for it, and it's much more difficult to give an honest review, especially if it ends in a lower rating, when you're forced to overpay.

On the nose candied lemon, graham cracker, vanilla, saltwater taffy, menthol, dill, cinnamon, dark chocolate. The palate is plenty punchy for 46% and quite flavorful. Sweet vanilla and brown sugar up front, some cherry Twizzlers, followed by the rye spices with mint, dill, cinnamon, and pepper. There's a little bit of leather going into the finish. It's eminently familiar as MGP 95% rye, but more balanced and refined than the typical 3-6 year versions we've all had dozens of. I enjoy the MGP rye profile, so this is a smash hit with me. In a similar age range, I've looked at buying the Templeton 10 year rye, but have always balked at the price. At under $50 for a 12 year age-stated rye, this is a great deal. I had some concern that it might come across as too thin at 46% (my sweet spot tends to be in the 50-55% range), but as I noted, it has plenty of punch. I think the peppery spice makes it drink a little higher than it is. I recently had a bottle of Sagamore Spirit Barrel Select at 55%, which I believe is a blend of the 95 and 51% rye mashbills, and 7 years old. I prefer the Bulleit 12. The Sagamore seemed to trade turns as a dill and cinnamon bomb. This has both, but in a more enjoyable balance.

BULLEIT RYE 12 YR *GLASS: Neat Glass *COLOR: Mahogany 1.6 bordering on Burnt Umber 1.7. *NOSE: Herbal and woody. Oak, Cedar, Dill, Black Pepper, and Cilantro. I swear I’m getting Sour Cream and Onion Potato Chips? There is a bit of Sweetness on the tail end with some Mint, Licorice, and Vanilla. *NEAT: That Savoriness really translates. Heavy Dill, Mint, Oak Spice, Pepper, and Cedar on the front end. Like the Nose, a Little Sweetness on the backend with the Mint and Vanilla. The age shows on the Clingy Finish with Musty Oak and Leather coating and layering the palate. There is a nice building heat in the chest. *SPLASH: A little water doesn’t change much on the nose. Really dials up the Vanilla and Mint on the palate giving it a Juicy Fruit Gum note. The Mustiness and Leather on the Finish is more pronounced as well. •VERDICT: Impressive is an understatement. Especially when factoring in the age and $55 price tag. That’s unheard of in today’s market. Bulleit has developed an affordable, tasty stable of whiskies. Review on their new American Single Malt coming soon.

Nose brings fresh, minty wintergreen, baked muffin, caraway seed, rye spice, white pepper, cinnamon, and lemongrass. Nice mix of sweet and spicy here. Not exceptionally herbal. Ethanol welcomely subdued. Palate continues the sweet and spicy with vanilla, the white pepper from the nose, mint, oregano, brown sugar, dill weed, and a surprising hint of peach and cantaloupe. Flavors are well integrated, albeit not the most robust. Medium length finish features rye bread, cinnamon, toasted oak, leather, and musty funk. Mouthfeel is full bodied and slick, which is a real plus. A nice offering with no major flaws and at $54, it’s a crazy value for 12 year MGP in today’s market. The elephant in the room for me is the proof; I just like my ryes bigger and bolder. A 115 proof version of this might be the best rye on the planet, but alas we have this one. That said it’s still very good and much better than the 2019 version which was significantly more dry and bitter. Barely squeaks into rebuy rating with a 4.0.

Nose: Everything you expect from the classic MGP 95/5, but deeper and richer. Heavily toasted marshmallow, butterscotch, dark rye spice, toasty rye bread, spearmint, dill, orange peel, clove, and a hint of grapefruit. Palate: Oily and mouth coating. Burnt marshmallow, rich oak, caramel, heavy dark rye spice with a moderate punch. Orange zest, spearmint, and black pepper. Finish: Lingering, warm, and tingly. Soft tannins and rich rye spice with a touch of butterscotch sweetness. Summary: There aren't many Ryes on the market with this high of an age and none of them are this affordable. I know it's easy to say it's just another MGP Rye, but you'd be doing yourself a disservice not picking one up if you see it around MSRP.

Very complex. The extra aging calms an otherwise would-be hot, spicy yet delicious rye whiskey into something between an Angel’s Envy Rye type sweet caramel dessert experience and a hot bottled-in-bond rye like Rittenhouse, It’s a beautiful combination of spicy/sweet and really pops into your mouth with a variety of flavors. Perhaps the best characteristic is the complexity on the pallet from the beginning, to the middle, and finally to the end. Definitely one to take your time on and enjoy. Don’t rush it, keep everything but ice away from it, sniff it, sip it, swirl it, swallow it, then do it all over again…. And again