Bulleit Bourbon is one of those bottles that does just about everything well, which is why it’s a dependable regular at Camp West, our cabin-inspired cocktail bar and restaurant in the West Seattle Junction. With a higher rye content than most bourbons, it brings extra spice to the glass and extra punch to a cocktail. It’s an easygoing, crowd-pleasing West Seattle pour with a little more attitude than you might expect.
About the Distillery
Bulleit traces its roots to a family bourbon recipe revived by Tom Bulleit, who launched the modern brand in 1987. Today it’s produced under the Diageo umbrella, with bourbon made at Bulleit’s Kentucky distilling operations. The frontier-style bottle and embossed lettering have become a familiar sight on back bars across the country.
Style & Mash Bill
This is a Kentucky straight bourbon known for its high-rye mash bill: roughly 68% corn, 28% rye, and 4% malted barley. That hefty rye proportion, far above a typical bourbon, is what gives Bulleit its signature spice. It’s bottled at 90 proof (45% ABV) and aged at least six years, striking a balance between bourbon’s sweetness and rye’s bite.
Tasting Notes
The nose shows vanilla, oak, and a clear note of rye spice with a touch of dried fruit. On the palate it’s medium-bodied with caramel and brown sugar up front, giving way to peppery rye, cinnamon, and toasted oak. The finish is smooth with a lingering warmth and a clean, spicy edge.
How to Enjoy It at Camp West
Bulleit’s high-rye backbone makes it a fantastic cocktail bourbon. It holds its own in an Old Fashioned, Manhattan, or whiskey sour, where the rye spice keeps things from going too sweet. It’s also smooth enough to enjoy neat or over a rock. A pour runs $11. Let your bartender know your preference and we’ll pour accordingly.
FAQ
What makes Bulleit Bourbon different? Its notably high rye content, around 28% of the mash bill, gives it more spice and structure than most standard bourbons.
Bourbon or rye for a cocktail? Bulleit Bourbon is a great middle ground. It has the sweetness of bourbon with enough rye spice to perform like a more assertive whiskey in mixed drinks.
Stop by and find your pour. Book a table, browse our full whiskey list, or explore the complete beverage menu.