Corn | Buttered rye toast | Rye grain | Light vanilla | Gentle oak | Caramel

Caramel | Light baking spices | Cinnamon bundt cake | White peppercorn | Gentle rye spice | Charred oak

Light roasted cacao | Brown sugar | Faint rye spce | Caramel | Sweet & short

Bulleit ‘87 Whiskey is the brand’s first new core expression since the debut of Bulleit 95 Rye Whiskey in 2011. The whiskey gets its name from the year Bulleit was founded in 1987. The company states that “it marks the moment Bulleit Frontier Whiskey first set out to do things differently, a commitment we carry forward every day, as proudly stated on every bottle.” To create the whiskey, the company takes 4 year old bourbon sourced from Kentucky and 4 year old rye sourced from Indiana, finishes each whiskey in its original barrels with toasted American and French oak staves, then combines them into a final blend at undisclosed percentages.

The sip starts with a slightly grainy aroma, accented by lighter, sweeter notes of vanilla and caramel. Transitioning to the palate reveals a nice breakdown of both rye and bourbon flavors thanks to gentle spice mixed with sweeter caramel and cinnamon bundt cake. While none of the flavors are forceful, mainly due to the whiskey's proof, they’re easy to pull out. The finish carries forward the trend of spice and sweetness; however, it’s incredibly short, which ends the sip on a lackluster note.

‍Bulleit Bourbon and Bulleit 95 Rye are well-known staples among consumers thanks to their accessibility and friendly price point. Bulleit ‘87 feels right at home in that lineup, thanks to its $30 price tag and simple yet agreeable flavor profile. The whiskey doesn’t lean into either of its components more than the other, instead coming across as balanced in delivery. The flavors presented are more core, basic notes for bourbon and rye, and the delivery is lighter, which is especially prominent due to the short finish. Bulleit ‘87 may not turn many whiskey enthusiasts' heads, but its consumer-friendly price point and easy-to-handle sip will be a good starting point for those looking to explore bourbon and rye blends.