Bulleit Frontier Whiskey has announced the return of its Bulleit Rye 12-Year-Old American Straight Rye Whiskey, following its initial release in 2019 which garnered a Gold Medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition. This re-release responds to persistent demand from bartenders and whiskey enthusiasts for the product’s revival. The 12-Year-Old version is a limited edition extension of the brand’s flagship Rye whiskey, which holds the title of America’s best-selling rye whiskey. It utilizes a mash bill of 95% rye and 5% malted barley, noted for being one of the highest rye contents available. The whiskey is aged for a minimum of 12 years in new charred American white oak barrels, with the 2024 batch including whiskey aged up to 17 years, offering a smooth, aged profile with nuanced differences from its previous release.
The tasting notes for the Bulleit Rye 12-Year-Old include a light, fruity, and woody aroma with hints of vanilla-spice, leading to a semi-sweet, clean, and crisp flavor on the palate, and concluding with a slightly woody and vanilla spice finish. This release is bottled at 92 proof (46% ABV).
Jesse Damashek, Senior Vice President of Whiskies & Liqueurs at Diageo, highlighted the growing consumer and bartender preference for rye whiskey’s spicy flavor, which adds distinctiveness to classic cocktails. He emphasized Bulleit’s role in contributing to the rye category’s growth since introducing their first rye expression in 2011. The 2024 release aims to meet whiskey lovers’ demands for more premium rye expressions, building on the success of its 2019 launch.
Bulleit Master Blender Andrew MacKay noted that the Bulleit Rye 12-Year-Old remains faithful to the brand’s rye whiskey legacy, with the spicy character of rye balanced against mature flavors from barrels aged up to 17 years. He suggests enjoying it neat or with a single ice cube to enhance its fruity character.
Available nationally, with the exception of Maine, the Bulleit Rye 12-Year-Old can be found at locations where fine spirits are sold. It is priced at $54.99 for a 750ml bottle and features the iconic Bulleit bottle design with a new all-green label that prominently displays the 12-year age statement.