🥃 Bulleit
Kentucky high-rye bourbon brand; grain: corn 68%, rye 28%, barley 4%; 45% ABV; owned by Diageo.
Bulleit is a Kentucky high-rye bourbon brand produced by Diageo. The grain in the recipe is 68% corn, 28% rye and 4% barley, and the standard version has 45% ABV. The brand's story is linked to Tom Bulleit, who revived the family recipe in 1987.
History. According to VinePair, Tom Bulleit's relatives link the first bottling to 1830, when Augustus Bulleit bottled his first batch. This date is based on family accounts rather than documented fact. In 1987 Tom and Betsy Bulleit launched the Bulleit Distilling Company with their own money. The brand was later acquired by Diageo.
How it's made. A recipe with 28% rye gives a spicier, drier profile than bourbons with more corn. For bourbon, US law requires at least 51% corn, distillation to no more than 160 proof, and ageing in new charred oak barrels. Diageo's distillery in Shelbyville, Kentucky, opened in March 2017; its capacity is up to 1.8 million proof gallons a year. According to trade descriptions, production also takes place in Lebanon.
Range. Besides Bulleit Bourbon there is Bulleit Rye, Bulleit '87 and a single malt whisky.
Why this matters to you. Bulleit Rye is a separate product with a much higher share of rye, not the same as Bulleit Bourbon. Strength depends on the market: 45% ABV for the US, and lower in some countries. The WHO reminds us that there is no safe level of alcohol consumption.
Facts
| Year founded | revived 1987 (Tom Bulleit); family legend — 1830 |
|---|---|
| Legal basis | US 27 CFR 5.143 (bourbon: at least 51% corn, new charred oak barrels) |
| EU category | 2 — whisky (whisky/whiskey) |
| Raw material | corn 68%, rye 28%, barley 4%; water |
| Cask type | new charred oak barrels (requirement for bourbon) |
| Minimum maturation | for straight bourbon — at least 2 years |
| Alcohol (% vol.) | 45% ABV (US); lower in some markets |
What it includes
How it connects to Spirits
Links
- Previous step
- 🥃 Diageo
- Packed in
- 🐝 American white oak, 🍷 Oak barrel
- Made from
- 🥃 Rye and corn in whisky
- What it contains
- 🧪 Water, 🍷 Ethanol
- What it affects
- 🍷 Alcohol and health, 🍷 Drunk driving
- Part of
- 🥃 Bourbon whiskey, 🥃 Whisky
- Similar and different
- 🥃 Maker's Mark, 🥃 Jack Daniel's, 🥃 Royal Stag, 🥃 Royal Stag, 🥃 Pappy Van Winkle's Family Reserve, 🥃 Pappy Van Winkle's Family Reserve, 🥃 Four Roses Bourbon, 🥃 Four Roses Small Batch, 🥃 Four Roses Single Barrel, 🥃 Four Roses Small Batch Select
Frequently asked questions
Is it true that Bulleit has been made since 1830?
It is a family account: Augustus Bulleit is said to have bottled the first batch in 1830. The sources give no documentary evidence. The modern brand was launched by Tom Bulleit in 1987.
What is the grain mix in Bulleit Bourbon?
68% corn, 28% rye and 4% malted barley, according to VinePair.
Who owns Bulleit?
Diageo.
What is the strength of Bulleit Bourbon?
45% ABV (90 proof) for the main US market. Some countries get a weaker version at 40% ABV.
Where is Bulleit made?
In Shelbyville, Kentucky; according to trade descriptions, also in Lebanon. Older batches were made at other distilleries.
What to read next
- 🍷 Alcohol and health — Alcohol in any drink is harmful in large amounts, and the risks grow with the quantity.
- 🍷 Ethanol — The alcohol formed during fermentation that makes you drunk.
- 🧪 Water — ~87% of milk.
- 🐝 American white oak — A North American oak that gives wine strong vanilla and coconut notes.
- 🥃 Jack Daniel's — Tennessee whiskey from Lynchburg (USA): before aging, the spirit is filtered through a three-metre layer of sugar maple charcoal.
Similar
🥃 Four Roses · 🥃 Old Crow · 🥃 Pappy Van Winkle's Family Reserve · 🥃 Woodford Reserve · 🥃 Baker's · 🥃 Blanton's
⚠️ Spirit drinks contain alcohol and are for adults only. Alcohol harms health. Do not drink during pregnancy or before driving; check the label for ingredients and possible allergens.
Sources
- VinePair: 10 things you should know about Bulleit Bourbon (Tom Bulleit, 1987 revival, 68/28/4 mash bill, 45 %, Diageo, Shelbyville plant 2017)
- Bulleit: official site (core range: Bourbon, Rye, Bulleit '87)
- US 27 CFR 5.143: standards of identity for whisky (bourbon: min. 51 % corn, distilled to max. 160 proof, new charred oak at max. 125 proof; straight: min. 2 years)
- WHO/Europe: No level of alcohol consumption is safe for our health (04.01.2023)