Bulleit 10 Year Bourbon 750ML is a Kentucky straight bourbon aged a minimum of ten years, bottled at 45.6% ABV (91.2 proof) in a 750ml bottle. As Bulleit's first age-statement release — launched in 2013 — this expression earned a Double Gold medal at the 2021 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, confirming its place among the most respected bourbons in its price tier.Quick Facts: ABV: 45.6% (91.2 proof) | Origin: Kentucky, USA | Age: 10 Years | Distillery: Bulleit Distilling Co., Lawrenceburg, KYProduction & HeritageBulleit 10 Year is built on a high-rye mashbill of 68% corn, 28% rye, and 4% malted barley — one of the highest rye percentages among major bourbon brands. The spirit rests for a minimum of ten years in charred new American white oak barrels, a maturation period that deepens the brand's signature spice while adding layers of dried fruit and toasted oak complexity. The extended aging transforms the already bold Bulleit profile into something noticeably richer and more tannic, distinguishing it clearly from the brand's flagship no-age-statement expression.Tasting NotesAroma: The nose opens with rich caramel and vanilla, quickly joined by toasted oak and cinnamon. Deeper exploration reveals dried fruit, peppercorn, brown sugar, and a subtle menthol coolness that hints at the decade of barrel aging.Taste: The entry is silky and slightly sweet, with brown sugar and maple meeting the palate first. Mid-palate, bold baking spices — cinnamon, clove, and allspice — take over, layered with cooked cherry, chocolate sponge, and burnt orange peel. The high rye content drives a pronounced spiciness that keeps the sweetness in check throughout.Finish: Long and warming, loaded with oak and tobacco alongside touches of maple and sweet custard. The smoky, tannic close lingers well, rewarding patience between sips.How to Drink Bulleit 10 YearThe decade of barrel aging and balanced proof make this bourbon ideal for sipping neat or with a single large ice cube, which gradually opens the dried fruit and oak notes. For cocktails, three classics showcase the 10 Year well: an Old Fashioned, where the deep oak and spice stand up to bitters and sugar without losing definition; a Boulevardier, where the rye-forward profile cuts through Campari's bitterness with authority; and a Manhattan, where the dried fruit and cinnamon complement sweet vermouth naturally.Best For Gifting a bourbon enthusiast looking for an accessible age-statement whiskey Side-by-side tastings comparing age-stated bourbons with high-rye mashbills Anchoring a home bar's premium bourbon shelf alongside everyday pours Slow evening sipping sessions focused on oak-driven, spice-forward flavors Frequently Asked QuestionsWhat does Bulleit 10 Year taste like? Bulleit 10 Year delivers bold baking spices — cinnamon, clove, and allspice — balanced by caramel, brown sugar, and cooked cherry, with a long, smoky oak finish. The high-rye mashbill gives it a pronounced spiciness that distinguishes it from sweeter, corn-heavy bourbons.How does Bulleit 10 Year compare to Four Roses Single Barrel? Both are Kentucky bourbons at comparable price points, but Four Roses Single Barrel is typically bottled at 50% ABV (100 proof), giving it a bolder intensity. Bulleit 10 Year leans more heavily on oak-driven maturity and dried fruit from its longer stated aging, while Four Roses Single Barrel emphasizes floral and fruit-forward complexity.Is Bulleit 10 Year good for sipping neat? Yes — at 45.6% ABV, it sits at a proof point that delivers full flavor without excessive alcohol heat, and the ten years of aging provide enough complexity to reward careful, unhurried tasting.Where is Bulleit 10 Year made? Bulleit 10 Year Bourbon is bottled by The Bulleit Distilling Co. in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky. The brand's roots trace to a family recipe attributed to Augustus Bulleit in the 1830s, revived commercially in 1987 by Tom Bulleit.What foods pair well with Bulleit 10 Year? Smoked brisket or pulled pork complements the bourbon's oak and tobacco notes. Dark chocolate truffles mirror its chocolate sponge character. Aged cheddar or Gruyère highlights the caramel and spice. Pecan pie echoes the brown sugar sweetness. Charcuterie with dried fruits bridges the bourbon's dried fruit aromatics.What sizes does Bulleit 10 Year come in? Bulleit 10 Year Bourbon is widely available in the standard 750ml bottle, with 1L and 375ml formats appearing in select markets depending on regional distribution.Is Bulleit 10 Year worth the price? Bulleit 10 Year positions as a mid-premium bourbon — more expensive than the standard Bulleit Bourbon but competitive with other aged expressions in the 10-year category. Its Double Gold medal at the 2021 San Francisco World Spirits Competition supports its standing as a strong value among age-stated Kentucky bourbons.Why Bulleit 10 Year?What earns Bulleit 10 Year its reputation is the combination of a genuinely high-rye mashbill — 28% rye — with a full decade of barrel maturation, a pairing that amplifies both spice and oak beyond what most bourbons in this range attempt. The 2021 Double Gold at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition validated what the bourbon's 2013 debut initially promised: that the Bulleit profile could handle extended aging without becoming overly tannic or one-dimensional. As the brand's first age-statement release, it remains a benchmark for what high-rye bourbon can achieve with patient barrel time. For drinkers who find standard Bulleit too lean and want something with genuine depth, this is the logical and rewarding step up.
