Bulleit ’87 Bourbon & Rye Blended Whiskey

Bulleit ’87 – Bourbon & Rye Blended Whiskey – 45% ABV (750ml)

Two distinct American whiskey styles, one blend, and an interesting approach to oak finishing.

Bulleit ’87 marks the first new permanent addition to Bulleit’s core whiskey lineup in 15 years. Named for 1987, the year the modern Bulleit brand was established, this expression brings together Kentucky bourbon and Indiana rye whiskey, combining the sweetness and richness of bourbon with the spice and structure of rye.

What makes this release particularly interesting is the maturation and finishing process. The bourbon is distilled and aged in Shelbyville, Kentucky, while the rye is distilled and aged in Indiana. Both components mature separately for at least four years before undergoing an additional finishing period.

Rather than transferring the whiskey into entirely different finishing casks, Bulleit introduces toasted American and French oak staves into the original barrels for approximately four to six weeks. The two finished whiskeys are then blended and bottled at 90 proof (45% ABV).

The Geeky Details

1. Bourbon Meets Rye

Bulleit has long been associated with high-rye bourbon, traditionally using a mash bill containing a substantial proportion of rye grain. Bulleit ’87 goes a step further by blending fully matured bourbon with separately distilled and matured rye whiskey.

This provides another way of balancing bourbon’s corn-driven sweetness with rye’s distinctive spicy, herbal, and grain-forward characteristics.

2. Two Different Oak Species

The use of both American and French oak staves is particularly interesting.

American oak is commonly associated with vanilla, caramel, coconut, and sweet oak notes, while French oak can contribute additional tannic structure, aromatic spice, and a different wood character.

The precise contribution depends on the oak’s seasoning, toasting, and contact with the whiskey.

3. Finishing in the Original Barrels

Instead of a conventional secondary maturation in wine or fortified-wine casks, the whiskey remains in its original barrels while toasted oak staves are introduced.

This increases the amount of wood surface interacting with the whiskey and allows the blending team to introduce additional oak-derived characteristics over a relatively short period.

The bourbon and rye are finished separately before blending, providing additional control over their individual flavor profiles.

4. Four Years of Maturation

Both components are matured for a minimum of four years before finishing. Although Bulleit ’87 does not carry a formal age statement, its components have undergone several years of maturation before the additional stave-finishing process.

Tasting Notes

Color: Pale amber.

Nose: Intense caramel, vanilla bean, cinnamon, and allspice, with underlying brown sugar sweetness.

Palate: Dark chocolate, toasted marshmallow, stewed fruits, warm baking spices, caramel, and gentle rye spice.

Finish: Clean and smooth, with lingering sweetness, soft oak, and warming spice.

Technical Specifications

• Producer: Bulleit Frontier Whiskey / Diageo
• Classification: American Whiskey – Blend of Bourbon and Rye
• Bourbon Origin: Shelbyville, Kentucky
• Rye Origin: Indiana
• Age: Minimum 4 years for both components
• Finishing: Toasted American and French oak staves
• Finishing Duration: Approximately 4–6 weeks
• ABV: 45%
• Proof: 90
• Bottle Size: 750ml
• Release: 2026
• Availability: Permanent core expression
• Exact Blend Proportions: Not disclosed
• Exact Mash Bills: Not disclosed for this release

What Makes It Interesting

Bulleit ’87 is an accessible exploration of two important American whiskey traditions: bourbon and rye.

The separate maturation of the two components, followed by finishing with toasted American and French oak staves, gives the blending team several variables to work with: grain composition, distillery character, maturation, oak species, and finishing time.

For whiskey enthusiasts, the interesting question is how much of the finished profile comes from the bourbon, how much from the rye, and how much from the additional oak treatment.

A worthwhile addition to Bulleit’s lineup, particularly for those interested in American whiskey blending and alternative finishing techniques.