After 5 Long Years, Bulleit Announces Return of Beloved 12 Year Old Rye Whiskey

Bulleit’s 12-year-old rye whiskey is back. (Photo: Bulleit Frontier Whiskey)

On Thursday, Bulleit Frontier Whiskey made an announcement that whiskey enthusiasts have been looking forward to for quite some time: The brand is bringing back its beloved 12-year-old rye whiskey.

Bottled at 92 proof, Bulleit 12-Year-Old American Straight Rye Whiskey is distilled from the same mashbill as Bulleit’s flagship rye: 95% rye and 5% malted barley.

The blend includes whiskey up to 17 years old, Bulleit Master Blender Andrew MacKay said in a news release.

Bulleit doesn’t disclose where its rye whiskey is distilled, but it’s most likely by MGP Ingredients in Indiana.

“Consumers and bartenders alike prefer rye’s unique spicy flavor profile which adds a distinctiveness to classic cocktails,” said Jesse Damashek, senior vice president of whiskies & liqueurs at Diageo. At Bulleit, we are proud to have been able to contribute to this fast-growing category ever since we launched our first rye expression in 2011.

“In bringing back the Rye 12-Year-Old we are responding to the demands from whiskey lovers for more premium expressions in the rye category. Our first release in 2019 performed exceptionally in the on and off trade. What we’ve created with this 2024 release continues our long tradition of striving to satisfy the growing appetite for bold, distinctive, and delicious premium whiskey.”

Bulleit Rye 12-Year-Old is available across the U.S. — with the exception of Maine — with a suggested retail price of $54.99 per 750-milliliter bottle.

Bulleit 12-Year-Old American Straight Rye Whiskey Tasting Notes, Via the Brand

Nose: Light, fruity, woody-oaky, floral, and vanilla-spice notes

Taste: Semi-sweet, clean, and crisp

Finish: A slight-woody vanilla spice taste

In March, Whiskey Raiders Chief Spirits Critic Jay West visited Bulleit in Kentucky on a media trip, where the brand teased the return of the 12-year-old rye. He chronicled his adventures in the below video on the Whiskey Raiders YouTube Channel, as well as in written form here.

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