Bulleit debuts Bottled-in-Bond Bourbon
Diageo-owned Bulleit has debuted its first bottled-in-bond expression, showcasing its own-make distillate.
Bulleit’s new Bottled-in-Bond Bourbon was distilled in spring 2017, the same year its Shelbyville, Kentucky distillery opened. It was here that the Bourbon was also aged.
“Introducing our first Bottled-in-Bond Bourbon, made entirely at the Bulleit Distilling Company, is a proud achievement for our team,” Diageo’s lead whiskey blender Delica Janes said. “With our signature high-rye mash bill and seven years of ageing under bottled-in-bond standards, this Bourbon delivers a richness and complexity we’re excited to share. It’s a whiskey that truly showcases the best of what we do here in Shelbyville – bold, balanced, and crafted with care.”
To be labelled bottled-in-bond, a spirit must come from one single distillery and distillation season, be aged a minimum of four years, and be bottled at 50% ABV, as outlined in the Bottled in Bond Act of 1897. While the law was initially passed to combat illicit, adulterated whiskeys, it has been adopted in modern times as a standard of quality, a sign by some craft distillers that stocks are coming of age, or larger ones to show an evolution away from sourcing.
On the nose, the whiskey shows notes of spice and toasted oak, while the palate brings maple, nutmeg, and butterscotch. It is priced at US$55 and available nationwide.
In February 2024, Bulleit released its first single malt whiskey, adding it to its permanent range. At the time, American single malt had yet to be defined, with the TTB (Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau) issuing formal guidelines in December 2024.
“The past year has been a defining one for Bulleit, and the release of our first Bottled-in-Bond Bourbon adds a meaningful new chapter to our story,” Jesse Damashek, senior vice-president of North American whiskeys at Diageo, said. “Bulleit Bottled-in-Bond is more than a celebration of craftsmanship, it’s a testament to our commitment to innovation and to showcasing the exceptional quality of whiskey crafted at our distillery in Shelbyville.”
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