Whiskey is a rather timeless spirit that spans its history across continents and centuries. Manufactured with grain mash, whiskey is a distilled beverage, with its flavor primarily shaped by various grains such as corn, wheat, or rye. It has had a rich history of manufacturing, distilling, and aging in huge barrels, creating the blend many appreciate today. Among the available options, Rye whiskey is one which is highly concentrated with rye mash and often carries a rather spicy, robust profile.
Let’s delve into the smoky realms of whiskey through this guide and learn more.
The rich, cultural heritage of Bulleit Rye
History of Bulleit
In the 1830s, a tavern keeper from Louisville, Kentucky, aimed for nothing less than to create the perfect blend for the generations that followed him. Augustus Bulleit went through countless trials and errors before coming up with this ideal blend. Unfortunately, on a fateful day, he vanished without a trace while transporting large barrels of whiskey, leaving his legacy shrouded in mystery. Decades later, his great-great-grandson Thomas E. Bulleit was inspired to follow in the footsteps of Augustus. Inspired by the high-rye whiskey, he came up with a recipe that is still a family heirloom for the Bulleits.
What Makes Bulleit Rye Unique:
Among the various rye whiskeys available on the market, Bulleit Rye Whiskey has set the curve for upcoming and classical brands with its in-depth flavor profile and by including one of the highest percentages of rye (95%). Holding the rich history of Augustus and his dream, Bulleit went on to build the prestigious whiskey that is consumed and adored by many connoisseurs. We would highly encourage you to try Bulleit Rye on The Epicurean Trader’s website and witness the craftsmanship yourself!
Bulleit Distilling Company - 95% Rye (750ML)
Understanding Rye Whiskey
What is Rye Whiskey?
Whiskey is made from a variety of grains. Some of the major grains include barley, corn, wheat, and rye. Whiskey made specifically from the rye grains are known as rye-whiskey. Rye whiskey often holds very spicy, robust characteristics, differing from its counter grains which usually create a much sweeter and smoother blend. It achieves its deep color through the aging process which is carried out in new charred oak barrels for a minimum of two years.
The distinct flavor of Rye Alcohol
Rye alcohol as discussed earlier holds very strong notes whereas whiskeys made from other grain mash are quite mild and sweeter. Rye alcohol predominantly holds significant notes of black pepper, nutmeg, and cinnamon and rarely hints of floral and a little fruitiness.
Similarities between Bulleit and Angel’s Envy Rye
Bulleit Rye and Angel’s Envy Rye are currently the most renowned rye whiskeys that are available in the market. The mash bill for both whiskeys contains the same composition with 95% being Rye and the other 5% being Malted Barley. Following are the differences that they hold.
The Flavor Profile of Bulleit Rye
Tasting Notes
Bulleit Rye can be described as a very bold flavored whiskey, holding strong notes of a variety of spices. A rich deep amber color holds significance to the oak barreled aging process and how it has picked up the deep color of the wood. Following are the various characteristics that you can expect while tasting Bulleit Rye.
Aroma: Right up-front, you’ll be hit with a strong scent of black pepper and spices like nutmeg and cinnamon. This will be followed by a sweet smell which is provided by the dried fruits and vanilla. Occasionally you can capture some herbal afternotes that build up the complex profile of the beverage.
Palate: The defining characteristics of the whiskey show up on your palate, comprising of the spices mentioned including hints of clove and star anise. The aging process shines through by delivering subtle hints of oak, vanilla, and caramel. Rye provides it with grainy, earthy undertones that are left lingering on your palate.
How to enjoy Bulleit Rye
Bulleit Rye whiskey is a very complex beverage with several flavor profiles of its own. To truly appreciate it, it is highly suggested that it is enjoyed neat at room temperature. Experiencing it neatly truly lets the consumer cherish each note and understand the complexity of the beverage deeply. If neat gets too intense considering it does have a warm mouth feel due to the ABV percentage, you can consider enjoying it on rocks. The ice helps mellow out a lot of the spiciness and strong flavors and lets the subtle notes of oak and vanilla shine through.
Rye whiskeys can add a lot of depth and flavor to cocktails considering they have such a strong flavor profile of their own. Rye whiskeys can be paired great with classic whiskey cocktails such as a Manhattan, Old-Fashioned, and a Whiskey Sour. WhistlePig Rye Whiskey featured on The Epicurean Trader’s website can be a great pairing for these cocktails and help you create a classic, elegant cocktail to enjoy in the comfort of your own home.
To know more about WhistlePig Rye Whiskey, click here to explore the craftsmanship that WhistlePig beholds.
Pairing Bulleit Rye with Food
A celebration consists of good food and great drinks. A beverage should be able to contrast with the food that you’re pairing it with. Bulleit Rye as we have discussed has a very sharp and robust taste. This pairs conventionally well with rich foods as rye whiskey can cut through the rich profile to create a rather refreshing combination. Rich foods like grilled meats and smoked cheeses are fatty and rich, and pairing the beverage with these foods can act as an amazing combination as the whiskey can cut down on the fattiness of these dishes creating a harmonious pairing.
Savory foods are often easier to pair with alcohol. Despite the robust characteristics, the subtle hints of vanilla, and caramel that rye whiskey holds, complement deserts that include chocolate very well. Dark chocolate in particular has a very rich and deep taste to it, which compliments the flavor profiles of rye whiskey very well.
Recipe Ideas
Rye whiskey holds a very complex structure and flavor which even if broken down can impart a lot of flavor to the food that you’re cooking. Rye whiskey can be added to a variety of sauces both savory and sweet. It is easier to incorporate rye whiskey into sauces like barbeque sauce where the spice compliments the flavor of the sauce, and even sweet ones like caramel sauce which is enhanced by the sweet notes of rye whiskey.
It can also be used to enhance the depth of marinating and glazing. It infuses the elements that you are cooking with a rather rich, deep, and smoky flavor. Whiskey can also work wonders in desserts to cut down on the richness and excessive sweetness that some desserts acquire.
Head over to the Rye Whiskey Section to explore various options according to your use, we’ve got an attractive variety of whiskeys to go with your requirements.
Exploring Other Notable Rye Whiskeys
Bulleit Rye has set the curve for rye-whiskey and is renowned. Similar to Bulleit, we have Angel’s Envy Rye Whiskey which closely resembles the manufacturing and composition of Bulleit. Angel’s Envy usually differs in the aging process, with its prolonged aging process of 18 months in Rum casks enhancing its color and flavor profile. Explore Louisville Distilling Co - 'Angel's Envy' Rye Whiskey from The Epicurean Trader’s Website for a delectable experience.
With the signature black pepper notes of rye whiskey mingling with subtle hints of oak, butterscotch, and citrus, Michter’s Rye holds a dear spot for its exquisite taste that is enjoyable to everyone. Michter’s Rye contains about 42.4% ABV. Sazerac Rye is an amazing choice with hints of sweetness resembling candies, spices like clove, and citrus with aromas of vanilla and anise making it a great choice for some handsome cocktails.
Michter's Distillery - 10yr Single-Barrel Kentucky Straight Rye (750ML)
With that, we conclude this guide to rye whiskey. To summarise, Bulleit Rye has a robust, spicy flavor profile with subtle hints of the sweetness of vanilla, and caramel that lingers as an aftertaste. The complex flavor profile makes it a great choice for sipping and adding that extra dash of depth to your cocktails making it no less than a primary choice for you to explore rye whiskeys. We encourage you to explore our wide range of Rye whiskeys on The Epicurean Trader’s website. To check out more pairings for your beverage, check out our exquisite range of pantry essentials and we would love to serve you!
