Bulleit 95 Rye

About two years ago I first encountered the very quaffable and dirt cheap Bulleit Bourbon. They also have a rye vesion. It is currently owned by Diageo, but is secretly (well, not really) distilled at the Four Roses distillery in Lawrenceburg. Let us give that Bulleit 95 Rye a go.

Cherries! That’s the first impression I get on the nose. Upholstered with leather, tobacco and a truckload of vanilla. I would have expected more spices, as rye is the main ingredient. I also get some nail polish remover, which does not really sit well with me. Something green as well. Parsley? Hay? Hmmpf. After a few moments this evolves toward coconut milk and shoe polish. Excuse me? Yup.

It is sweet and sou rand spicy on the palate. I cannot quite pinpoint it, but I am reminded of the Far East. Sorry, I cannot help it. Some incense and Chinese tea. Albeit with a lot of fruit in it. Cherries, coconut, oranges. And some sweet butter. Quite creamy.

Long, spicy finish in which the rye finally manifests itself.

Obviously this is bang for your buck, because of the low price, but I would not order a second shot immediately. Left me a bit unmoved.

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