Bulleit Whiskey

Bulleit is one of the most recognisable names in modern American whiskey, built around a frontier-inspired identity and a house style known for its high rye content and bold, spicy character. The modern brand was revived in 1987 by Tom Bulleit, who drew inspiration from his great-great-grandfather Augustus Bulleit, said to have produced whiskey between the 1830s and 1860 before disappearing from the historical record.

Bulleit now has its own production footprint in Kentucky, with Diageo’s Bulleit Distilling Co. in Shelbyville and the newer Lebanon distillery both producing the brand’s whiskey. Earlier in its modern history, Bulleit sourced from a number of distilleries, including Four Roses.

The whiskey’s presentation has always been part of its appeal, with bottle design and branding that deliberately evoke an older frontier style. Bulleit Bourbon is especially known for a comparatively high rye recipe that gives it a drier, spicier profile than many mainstream bourbons, while Bulleit Rye remains one of the best-known modern rye whiskeys and is built around a mash bill of 95 per cent rye and 5 per cent malted barley.

Taken together, the range has helped make Bulleit one of the defining success stories of contemporary American whiskey: a revived historic name that has grown into a major global brand while retaining a clear stylistic identity.