What you're actually getting
Bulleit is a high-rye bourbon, which means it's got a bit more spice than the softer, sweeter American stuff a lot of people expect. That 45% ABV is spot on for the style too, not watered down to supermarket-friendly blandness. You get vanilla and oak on the nose, then a dry, peppery finish that actually lingers. Not half bad at all.
I cracked a bottle of this at a mate's kitchen table last winter. He poured it neat, no ice, slightly suspicious look on his face because he usually drinks blended Scotch. Third sip in, he was asking where to buy it. That's about as good an endorsement as you're going to get.
Who this is actually for
If you're someone who likes a bourbon old fashioned, this is properly good for mixing. The rye backbone holds up against the sugar and bitters rather than disappearing. Neat or on a single large ice cube, it works well there too.
It's not for you if you want something sweeter and rounder, like a Maker's Mark or Buffalo Trace. Those are softer and friendlier to people still finding their feet with bourbon. Bulleit has a bit of an edge to it.
The honest reservation
At full price, it sits in a competitive spot. There's no discount here to sweeten the deal, so you're paying standard retail. It's still fair value for what's in the bottle, personally I think it punches above its price point. But if you're waiting for it to drop a bit before stocking up, that's a reasonable call too.
