Bulleit ’87 is the brand’s first new permanent whiskey in 15 years and its first bourbon-rye blend. It combines Kentucky bourbon and Indiana rye in a new addition to Bulleit’s core lineup. The bourbon and rye are each aged for at least four years, then finished separately with toasted American and French oak staves before blending and bottling at 90 proof.
For the first time in 15 years, Bulleit Frontier Whiskey is debuting a new permanent expression. The whiskey — Bulleit ’87 — is a blend of bourbon and rye, finished with toasted American and French oak staves. Featuring bourbon distilled in Kentucky and rye from Indiana, Bulleit ’87 is the brand’s first bourbon-rye blend, joining Bulleit Bourbon and Bulleit 95 rye in its core lineup. The whiskey is named in recognition of 1987, Bulleit’s founding year.
Bulleit ’87 starts with two distinct American whiskeys, each distilled and aged separately. The bourbon is produced and aged in Shelbyville, Kentucky, where Diageo-owned Bulleit has operated a distillery since 2017. The rye is distilled and aged by MGP in Lawrenceburg, Indiana. Bulleit has a long history of sourcing rye from MGP (today also known as Ross & Squibb Distillery), including its flagship Bulleit 95 rye, introduced in 2011.
Both the bourbon and rye components are aged for at least four years. After initial maturation, the whiskeys are finished with toasted American oak and French oak staves, which are added to the original barrels for four to six weeks. The whiskey is then blended and bottled in Shelbyville at 90 proof (45% ABV).