When a cocktail calls for backbone, we reach for Bulleit Rye. This bold, spice-forward American rye is a bartender’s friend and a sipper’s reward, which is why it’s a fixture at Camp West, our cabin-inspired cocktail bar and restaurant in the West Seattle Junction. If you like your whiskey with a peppery kick, this is the West Seattle pour to ask for.
About the Distillery
Bulleit Rye launched in 2011 as a companion to the well-known Bulleit Bourbon. The rye is distilled at the renowned MGP facility in Lawrenceburg, Indiana, a distillery famous for producing high-quality rye whiskey for brands across the country. The Bulleit name traces back to a family bourbon recipe revived by Tom Bulleit, and the rye carries that same frontier-spirited branding.
Style & Mash Bill
This is a straight rye whiskey built on a mash bill of 95% rye and 5% malted barley, a classic high-rye recipe that delivers maximum spice and clarity of flavor. It’s bottled at 90 proof (45% ABV) and typically carries several years of age. The minimal malted barley keeps the focus squarely on the rye’s bright, peppery character.
Tasting Notes
Expect a nose of vanilla, cinnamon, and fresh-cut grass with a hint of clove. The palate is crisp and spicy, leading with black pepper, rye spice, and dried herbs, balanced by a touch of vanilla and oak. The finish is clean, dry, and lingering with that signature rye snap.
How to Enjoy It at Camp West
Bulleit Rye is a cocktail superstar. Its high-rye spice cuts through sweetness, making it ideal for a Manhattan, a Sazerac-style build, or a sharp whiskey sour. That said, it’s plenty enjoyable neat or over a rock if you want to taste the rye unadorned. A pour runs $11. Ask the bar and we’ll build something with bite.
FAQ
What does the 95 in Bulleit 95 Rye mean? It refers to the 95% rye content of the mash bill, not the proof. Bulleit Rye is bottled at 90 proof.
Is rye spicier than bourbon? Generally yes. Rye whiskey tends to be drier and more peppery, while bourbon leans sweeter, which is why rye is prized for cocktails.
Come in and let us mix you something with character. Book a table, browse our full whiskey list, or explore the complete beverage menu.