Bulleit American Single Malt was introduced in February 2024 nationwide. It is a new permanent expression from Bulleit Distilling Co., joining other permanent Bulleit expressions, including Bulleit Bourbon, Bulleit Bourbon Barrel Strength, Bulleit 10 Year Bourbon, and Bulleit 95 Rye Whiskey. ‍‍The American single malt category is growing, yet still not officially defined. Efforts are underway to set official standards for the category, however, to date, the classification remains self-regulated by producers.

‍‍Bulleit doesn’t disclose how old Bulleit American Single Malt is or who it was sourced from. They did confirm with us that it is distilled in Kentucky, and that they work closely with their distilling partners to ensure that it is made to their standards and specifications. Furthermore, when Bulleit was developing American Single Malt, they explored the idea of distilling it at one of their distilleries, but according to Bulleit, “the Lebanon, KY distillery was not operational and our Shelbyville, KY distillery was just getting started producing our signature Bulleit Bourbon at full capacity so we looked to an outside contractor to distill this product to our exacting specifications.”

‍‍Bulleit American Single Malt breaks from the clear glass bottle the brand usually bottles their whiskey in, though the design of the bottle is exactly the same. The black-looking bottle is actually tinted green, which is more evident when light shines through it. The company states that this is because it is made with post-consumer recycled glass in an effort to reduce Bulleit’s footprint on the world.

A surprising amount of fruity scents kicks off this American single malt with zest. Apricot, pear, and lemon are the most pronounced, providing an inviting welcome. You’ll quickly take note of a more savory spice side, that is helmed by cinnamon, nutmeg, and light toasted oak. Try hard enough, and the aroma even gives off wafty hints of mango, grapefruit, lime, and kiwi. Though light in overall composition, its enjoyable fruit scents contrasted with woody baking spice make for an effective and pleasant aroma.

Nougat and honey provide an appealing combination at the onset, A light sweetness further develops thanks to sugar cane and sweet bread pastry. As the sweet notes begin to reside, lemongrass, with its hints of citrus and ginger develops, offering gentle complexity. A very light toasted coconut note can also be tasted before almond takes over. It’s a flavor profile that isn’t unique based on any single component, but taken together, offers a refreshing and enjoyable sip.

The finish begins to switch over to much more familiar territory, with cocoa powder, dry oak, cinnamon, and vanilla accounting for much of it. A very faint smoke note can be tasted, but is difficult to notice because it's so fleeting. It’s a finish on the shorter side, and almost too snappy in a way. You’re left with a light lemon meringue pie note that isn’t transformative but a pleasant way to end the sip.

American single malts are still waiting for a brand to truly break out and help bridge a crossover with bourbon, rye, and American whiskey drinkers. A few well known bourbon brands have tried, including notable 2023 releases by Yellowstone and Jim Beam, but it appears as we get away from their launch, they were only marginally successful in moving the needle. There is hope that Bulleit’s mainstream bourbon success will continue to nudge the needle a bit more.

Westward Whiskey and Westland Whiskey are the stalwarts of American single malts and are often criticized because they veer too far outside of bourbon drinkers’ comfort zones and struggle to appeal to the masses. Yellowstone and Jim Beam offer very approachable American single malts and are careful not to offend with a sharp malty flavor, and like these whiskeys, Bulleit American Single Malt follows a similar path. Despite being made with 100% malted barley, it is able to dial back a heavy malty taste and offer drinkers a soft sampling of what a single malt can taste like without overwhelming them.

The whiskey’s familiarity is partly accomplished by offering individual flavors that will be somewhat familiar to bourbon drinkers but paired together in ways that aren’t often found in bourbon. From notable flavors of nougat, honey, sugar cane, and lemongrass on the palate, to more familiar pairing of cocoa powder, dry oak, cinnamon, and vanilla on the finish, as a whole is equal parts handholding and adventurous. Familiar but different is its motto and it is one that makes sense given where American single malts are currently at.

Even though the definition of American single malts hasn’t been officially clarified by the government yet, the price point for them has started to find a common middle ground. There are a few outliers with Town Branch 7 Year Kentucky Single Malt ($36), and Copper Fox Single Malt ($45) at the low end, and High West High Country American Single Malt ($80) and Jack Daniel’s American Single Malt Oloroso Sherry Cask ($100 /L) at the high end, the majority have settled around Bulleit’s $60 price point. That group includes Yellowstone American Single Malt ($55), Clermont Steep ($60), Stranahan’s ($60), Westland Whiskey ($60), and R6 Single Malt Whiskey ($65). Slightly above that are the much more unique-tasting American single malts that include Westward Whiskey ($70) and Balcones 1 Texas Single Malt ($70).

Bulleit American Single Malt’s $60 price point puts it squarely in the middle of the pack so the question becomes, “What do you want out of an American single malt?” Though it’s not a hard rule, a lower price tends to offer a more accessible pour, whereas a higher price offers many more shades of uniqueness. By nature, a whiskey composed of 100% malted barley does cost more to produce than one where the majority of its mashbill is corn, but with the public resistance to American single malts, a much more aggressive price point would have been welcomed here. For only $10 more, Westward Whiskey’s sip is infinitely more complex and all around more interesting but potentially much more polarizing. While Bulleit American Single Malt presents an enjoyable sip, its asking price is high for what is ultimately delivered and what you can get for a few dollars more.

Like other Bulleit products, their American Single Malt likewise goes for approachability above all else. That isn’t necessarily a bad thing, as it might not be what the market wants, but more what the market needs right now. Instead of offering a unique but potentially polarizing pour, Bulleit follows what Jim Beam and Yellowstone have focused on. They are approachable, light, and feature flavors that are familiar, but offered in a slightly different way. For fans of established American single malt brands that enjoy a more challenging and unique sip, Bulleit American Single Malt certainly doesn’t offer much new, but that’s not to say it doesn’t offer anything at all. At this current place and time, Bulleit American Single Malt has a particular job to do: convince American whiskey drinkers that American single malts have something to say that’s different from bourbon and rye. Bulleit American Single Malt is a necessary baby step that will probably have less significance years down the road, but for now, a lot is potentially riding on this particular release.