Bulleit® Adds Barrel Strength Offering to Family of Whiskeys

LOUISVILLE, Ky., May 5, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Over the last year, Bulleit founder Tom Bulleit traveled the globe sharing sips of a new, unreleased style of Bulleit Bourbon with some of the world's top bartenders.  As a whiskey built by the support of the bartending community, Tom wanted to know what they would think about an addition based on higher proof instead of new flavors or finishes. The feedback was overwhelming and reinforced the decision to officially launch Bulleit Barrel Strength Frontier Whiskey in his home state of Kentucky.

Distilled in Kentucky from the highest quality ingredients, this new variant is a barrel strength version of Bulleit Bourbon with the same high-rye mash bill – roughly 2/3 corn and 1/3 rye.  In April, Bulleit Barrel Strength received a Gold Medal from the 2016 San Francisco World Spirits Competition – continuing Bulleit's history of sharing award-winning whiskeys. The barrels selected to create Bulleit Barrel Strength were emptied and combined into a single batch without the inclusion of any additional water after the whiskey was removed from the barrels. Bottled at Stitzel-Weller in Louisville, Ky., this new offering allows bartenders and fans of great whiskey the opportunity to taste Bulleit Bourbon straight out of the barrel, uncut and non-chill filtered. 

"Meeting with and listening to our bartender friends who are truly Bulleit's partners has been the smartest thing we've done and they've responded with incredible passion about our new Bulleit Barrel Strength Bourbon," said Founder, Tom Bulleit.  "This is a truly beautiful whiskey we're sharing.  I hope our fans really take the time to sip it slowly and responsibly because that's how we've intended it to be enjoyed."

Bulleit Barrel Strength is medium-amber in color, with gentle spiciness and sweet oak aromas. The mid-palate is smooth with tones of maple, oak and nutmeg.  The finish is long, dry, and satiny with light toffee flavors, and deepened oak notes.

The initial release of Bulleit Barrel Strength will only be available in the state of Kentucky at licensed liquor stores and whiskey-forward restaurants and bars.  It will also be available for purchase at the Bulleit Frontier Whiskey Experience at Stitzel-Weller, Bulleit's home on The Kentucky Bourbon Trail® tour. Bulleit Barrel Strength is a limited bottling with less than 5,000 cases being made available in the initial release.

"We're happy to share this Barrel Strength offering with our friends and loyal Bulleit fans in Kentucky," said Ed Bello, Bulleit Brand Director for DIAGEO. "Bulleit was born in Kentucky, the state Tom and his family still call home to this day. As thousands of people head to the Bluegrass State for the best horse race in the country, we hope they'll stop by the historic Stitzel-Weller Distillery and pick up a bottle of Bulleit Barrel Strength."

Bulleit Barrel Strength carries a suggested retail price of $49.99 for a 750 ml bottle and $29.99 for a 375 ml bottle. The alcohol by volume varies by batch because the bourbon is bottled straight from the barrel, uncut and unfiltered, but will generally range from 120-125 proof. Bulleit Barrel Strength is packaged in the iconic Bulleit frontier-inspired bottle, adorned with a black label with orange accents.   

About Bulleit® Frontier Whiskey

The Bulleit Distilling Co. was founded in 1987 by Tom Bulleit, whose Bulleit Bourbon is inspired by a family tradition. Bulleit Rye, a straight rye whiskey, was added to the portfolio in 2011 to critical acclaim, and the brand's third variant, Bulleit Bourbon 10-Years Old, was introduced in 2013. Bulleit whiskeys use a large amount of rye grain, which gives them their distinctive bold, spicy taste. Bulleit ranks as one of the fastest-growing whiskeys in America, which Tom largely credits to word of mouth recommendations. In 2014, Bulleit broke ground on a new $115 million distillery located in Shelby County, Ky., anticipated to be operational by early 2017. Guests are invited to learn more about the past, present and future of Bulleit by visiting the Bulleit Frontier Whiskey Experience at Stitzel-Weller in Louisville, Ky., a member of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail® tour. For more information, visit www.bulleit.com.

About Diageo

Diageo is a global leader in beverage alcohol with an outstanding collection of brands including Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, Bulleit and Buchanan's whiskies, Smirnoff, Cîroc and Ketel One vodkas, Captain Morgan, Baileys, Don Julio, Tanqueray and Guinness.

Diageo is listed on both the New York Stock Exchange (DEO) and the London Stock Exchange (DGE) and our products are sold in more than 180 countries around the world. For more information about Diageo, our people, our brands, and performance, visit us at www.diageo.com. Visit Diageo's global responsible drinking resource, www.DRINKiQ.com, for information, initiatives, and ways to share best practice.

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SOURCE Diageo