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Bulleit debuts 12-year-old rye whiskey

Diageo has released a limited edition 12-year-old rye whiskey under its Bulleit brand in the US.

Bulleit’s new 12-year-old rye whiskey is available to buy in select US states

Bulleit Rye 12 Year Old Straight American Whiskey is the first line extension of Bulleit Rye, which launched in 2011.

The expression is the fifth addition to the Bulleit range and uses the same mash bill as its predecessor – 95% rye ands 5% malted barley.

The whiskey has been aged in new charred oak barrels for a minimum of 12 years.

“Whiskey is heavily influenced by barrel ageing, and as a blender, one of our most important responsibilities is to taste how the wood impacts the flavour of the liquid and brings out different notes,” said Bulleit whiskey blender Andrew Mackay.

“The barrels we mingled to produce Bulleit Rye 12 Year Old were hand-selected for ageing based on early identification of their superior quality.”

Bottled at 46% abv, the 12-year-old whiskey has notes of dried orchard fruits with a hint of baking spice and oak on the nose. The palate has flavours of dried pear, light toffee and oak with a hint of graham cracker spice.

“When we introduced Bulleit Rye, it changed the game for the category, and positioned us as a brand willing to take chances and try new things,” said Ed Bello, Bulleit’s US and global brand director.

“We’re constantly experimenting and striving to satisfy consumers’ growing appetite for bold, new American whiskeys.

“Rye remains the fastest-growing North American whiskey segment and Bulleit Rye has been the number one super-premium rye brand for the last six years (IWSR).

“With higher-end whiskeys driving much of that sales growth and a limited number of age-statement ryes on the market, Bulleit Rye 12 Year Old is a natural way to expand our portfolio and provide a new ultra-premium offering that’s absolutely delicious.”

Bulleit Rye 12 Year Old is available in Colorado, Illinois, New York, Ohio, Oregon, California, Kentucky, Texas, Georgia, New Jersey, Arizona, Massachusetts, Maryland and Washington DC with a suggested retail price of US$49.99 for a 750ml bottle.

Diageo began construction of Bulleit Distilling Co’s US$10 million visitor centre in Kentucky in August 2018, which is expected to open this year.

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