Bulleit '87 Bourbon & Rye Blended Whiskey – 90 Proof (45% ABV) | 750ml

Bulleit '87 Bourbon & Rye Blended Whiskey brings together two distinct styles at the heart of the Bulleit portfolio: bourbon and rye. Created to commemorate 1987, the year Bulleit was founded, this American whiskey combines the rich sweetness of bourbon with the bold spice and structure of rye in a single expression.

Both whiskey components are aged separately for a minimum of four years before receiving an additional toasted-stave finishing treatment. The bourbon and rye are each finished in their original barrels with toasted American oak and French oak staves for four to six weeks before being blended together and bottled at 45% ABV.

Key Details

Spirit Type: American Whiskey
Brand: Bulleit
Expression: '87
Whiskey Style: Bourbon & Rye Blend
Bourbon Component: Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Rye Component: Straight Rye Whiskey
Origin: United States
Bourbon Aging: Minimum 4 Years
Rye Aging: Minimum 4 Years
Stave Finish: Toasted American Oak & French Oak
Finishing Time: 4–6 Weeks
Alcohol Content: 45% ABV / 90 Proof
Bottle Size: 750ml
Style: Blended American Whiskey

Process & Production

Bulleit '87 is built from two separately produced whiskeys. The bourbon is distilled, barreled, and aged in Shelbyville, Kentucky, while the rye is distilled and aged in Indiana before being brought to Shelbyville for the final stages of production. Both components are matured for a minimum of four years.

The bourbon and rye are then individually finished in their original barrels using toasted American oak and French oak staves. The stave-finishing process lasts approximately four to six weeks, allowing additional oak character, caramelized sweetness, spice, and depth to develop before the two whiskeys are blended together.

The final blend is bottled in Shelbyville at 45% ABV, or 90 Proof.

Appearance

Warm amber in color with a polished appearance, reflecting its years of maturation and additional interaction with toasted oak.

Tasting Notes

Nose: Rich caramel and brown sugar lead into vanilla, toasted oak, cinnamon, and warm baking spices.

Palate: Bourbon sweetness meets lively rye spice, with flavors of caramel, brown sugar, vanilla, dark chocolate, toasted marshmallow, and toasted oak.

Finish: Smooth and warming, with lingering caramelized sweetness, baking spice, toasted oak, and peppery rye character.

What Makes It Special

Bulleit '87 represents an important addition to the Bulleit portfolio as the brand's first official blend of straight bourbon and straight rye whiskey. Instead of presenting the two styles separately, the expression combines their contrasting characteristics: bourbon brings sweetness and richness, while rye contributes spice and structure.

The toasted-stave finishing process adds another layer to the blend. Both whiskeys are finished separately with toasted American and French oak before they are brought together, creating additional caramel, spice, and oak character.

The name '87 is not an age statement. It pays tribute to 1987, the year Bulleit was founded.

How to Enjoy

Bulleit '87 is designed as a sipping whiskey and can be enjoyed neat or over a large ice cube.

Recommended Serves:

• Neat

• On the rocks

• Old Fashioned

• Manhattan

• Whiskey Sour

• Highball

Enjoying it neat allows the combination of bourbon sweetness, rye spice, caramel, vanilla, and toasted oak to remain at the forefront.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Bulleit '87?
Bulleit '87 is an American whiskey made by blending straight bourbon and straight rye whiskey, with each component aged and finished separately before blending.

What does the '87 mean?
The “'87” commemorates 1987, the year Bulleit was founded. It is not an age statement.

Is Bulleit '87 bourbon or rye?
It is a blended American whiskey combining straight bourbon and straight rye whiskey.

How long is Bulleit '87 aged?
Both the bourbon and rye components are aged for a minimum of four years before being separately finished with toasted oak staves.

What type of oak is used?
The bourbon and rye are finished separately with toasted American oak and French oak staves for four to six weeks.

What is the alcohol content?
Bulleit '87 is bottled at 45% ABV, or 90 Proof.

What size is the bottle?
This expression is bottled in a 750ml bottle.

What does Bulleit '87 taste like?
The profile combines caramel, brown sugar, vanilla, toasted oak, baking spice, dark chocolate, toasted marshmallow, and rye spice.

Brand Story

Bulleit was founded in 1987 and has built its whiskey portfolio around high-rye recipes and a distinctive approach to American whiskey. The brand's portfolio includes its flagship Bourbon and 95 Rye, while Bulleit '87 brings these two styles together in a new blended expression.

The release also introduces a new finishing technique for the brand, with the bourbon and rye individually finished using toasted American and French oak staves before being blended. The result is a whiskey that combines the sweetness of bourbon, the spice of rye, and additional toasted-oak character in one bottle.