A little background

This is the first release from the Bulleit Blender’s Select series, which is also part of Diageo’s campaign to celebrate the influential women who make the company’s spirits. Bulleit Bourbon Blenders’ Select was put together by Bulleit Blender Ebony Major and is comprised of 3 of the 10 bourbon distillates (ahem…Four Roses) used to create standard release Bulleit Bourbon. This bourbon is aged for at least 9 years in barrels with #2 char on the heads and #4 char on the staves. It is bottled at 100 proof and is only available in a select number of states. This bottle retails for $50.

(Tasted neat from a Glencairn Glass)

Color

Medium Copper

Nose

The nose opens with rich toffee and just a hint of freshly shelled peanut, along with plenty of rye spice and some tobacco leaf. With time a rich bouquet of dark fruit preserves continues to develop along with a hint of fresh orange zest.

Palate

A quick dose of creamy vanilla bean and toasted oak give way to a sharp rye spice that develops on the tip of the tongue and lingers throughout the sip. An array of dark fruit notes is present, but dark cherry quickly becomes the prominent note and it is balanced nicely with plenty of rye spice and oak char. Overall the mouthfeel is smooth and creamy and a definite step-up from standard release Bulleit.

Finish

Rye spice lingers on the tongue along with just the right amount of alcohol burn to balance the prominent dark fruit notes that continue to characterize the flavor profile. I also found more of the citrus note developing along with some toasted grain. On the back end, there is also some buttery caramel that blends with oak char which provides for light, lingering finish.

In closing

This first release in the Blender’s Select series provides a major step up for the Bulleit brand, at least in my mind. The high rye mash bill provides plenty of the spice that I typically prefer in a bourbon, while also showcasing a range of dark fruit notes that tame the spice and proof to create a very smooth, drinkable bourbon. I didn’t find the depth or complexity I was hoping for, especially at 9 years old, but there is no doubt that this is a quality product and that we can be excited about future releases in this series.