We are back on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail for Episode 63 of Bourbon Trail Tales & Tastes! Today, we are sharing our recent second visit to the massive Bulleit Frontier Whiskey Distillery in Shelbyville, KY. While we’ve stopped by before, this was our very first time taking the official Bulleit Distillery Tour with our fantastic guide, Jeremy!
Even though production was temporarily shut down, we got an up-close look at the incredible automated facility, stood inside a disassembled vintage Vendome column still to inspect the plates, and explored their fascinating microscope-blown yeast strain wall. Plus, we dive into their legendary “hippie trip” full sensory tasting room to experience the sensory orbs!
After hitting one of the best gift shops on the trail, we brought home two unique bottles purchased the same day. Today, we crack them open for a double first-pour tasting review:
ONE: Bulleit Bourbon Barrel Strength (Batch 08) An uncut, non-chill filtered powerhouse clocking in at 121.8 proof.
TWO: Bulleit Bourbon Mesquite Smoked Malt (Limited Edition) A fascinating 6-year-old experimental release distilled in November 2018.
Have you done the Bulleit Frontier Whiskey Experience? What do you think of the experimental Mesquite Smoked Malt? Let us know in the comments below!
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Bulleit Bourbon Barrel Strength (Batch 08)
- Classification: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
- Company: Diageo
- Distillery: Sourced from undisclosed Kentucky distillery(ies) (Aged/Bottled at Bulleit Distilling Co. in Shelbyville, KY)
- Mash Bill: Bulleit’s signature high-rye bourbon mash bill, typically ~68% Corn, 28% Rye, 4% Malted Barley
- Age: NAS (at least 4 years)
- Proof: 121.8
- SRP: $60
- Other: Uncut and non-chill filtered; aged in level 4 char barrels with level 2 char heads.
- Purchased: 03/29/26 for $60 at Bulleit Frontier Whiskey Experience
Bulleit Bourbon Mesquite Smoked Malt (Limited Edition)
- Classification: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
- Company: Diageo
- Distillery: Bulleit Distilling Co. (Shelbyville, KY)
- Mash Bill: 65% Corn, 30% Mesquite-Smoked Malted Barley, 5% Malted Barley
- Age: 6+ Years (Distilled November 2018, dumped 2025)
- Proof: 93
- SRP: $50
- Released: March 2, 2026
- Other: Bulleit’s first-ever straight bourbon crafted without any rye grain in the mash bill. Part of their experimental new-make and grain exploration project.
- Purchased: 03/29/26 for $50 at Bulleit Frontier Whiskey Experience
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NOTE: The spirits in this review were purchased by us. We were not compensated by the spirit producer for this review. This is simply our opinion based on what we tasted on this day. Please drink responsibly.
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