Bulleit 10 Year Rye Whiskey Review: A Decade of Bold Rye Flavor

Steve Coomes -

BOTTLE DETAILS

STEVE'S NOTES

SHARE WITH: Anyone who loves rye whiskey, especially fans of the 95/5 mash bill. For those who say they hate rye, sit this one out. The dill and spearmint notes that make haters squirm are in full, delicious force.

WORTH THE PRICE: It is. Ten-year-old rye is pretty rare, and those which are available and good (such as Michter's 10-year rye) are always spendy.

BOTTLE, BAR OR BUST: Bottle for sure. Not many 10-year-old ryes can be had for $49.99, and this one is worth every penny and then some. Get two if you can.

OVERALL: Since I'm a shameless fan of rye, I'm already happy just reading the label. Uncorking it gets me enthused, but as a man who turned 60 last year, I'm keenly aware that old things need some time to loosen up. So I walk away from the glass for 20 minutes or so, and when I return, the aroma has already perfumed the room.

The nose leads with all the classic 95/5-ness that put Bulleit Rye–and so many ryes sourced from MGPI–on the map: dill and spearmint come tangled in caramel, vanilla, cinnamon and lemon and orange peels. This is one that, if you sniff it repeatedly in public, you know someone's looking at you and thinking, "Enough with all the nosing! Drink the damn thing!"

This also is a delight on the palate: tingly, tropical-fruity (ripe pineapple/cooked pineapple and under-ripe banana), cherry and orange hard candy, light caramel, white chocolate with a subtle hints of dill and toasted oak. That it's so soft and easy drinking is a testament to its long mellowing and all the magic that happens in barrels gifted with a decade-long snooze.

For those who appreciate supple and soft ryes with proofs in the low-90s, this is an unparalleled bargain.

BRAND NOTES

Bulleit Rye 10-Year-Old delights the palate with pear-like fruitiness, dry oak, full-bodied vanilla, and a spiced rye finish that lingers. Bottled at 91.2 proof (45.6% ABV), it’s an impeccably balanced pour that showcases the best of rye’s signature boldness.

Disclaimer: Bourbon & Banter received a sample of this product from the brand for review. We appreciate their willingness to allow us to review their products with no strings attached. Thank you.