Bulleit Bottled In Bond

Bulleit Bottled In Bond is a straight bourbon bottled to the federal Bottled in Bond standard. That standard means a single distilling season, aging in a bonded warehouse for at least four years, and bottling at exactly 100 proof, or 50% ABV. The bottle is listed as a United States product. Bulleit is known for a high-rye mash bill, so expect more spice than a wheated or low-rye bourbon: rye grain, black pepper and baking spice, with caramel, vanilla and toasted oak underneath. Bonded bourbons at this strength usually carry a long, warm finish with some char and a drier edge than standard-proof expressions. Neat is the most direct way to meet it, though 100 proof can feel hot on the first pass. Pour a measure into a Glencairn and nose it before tasting. The tapered rim concentrates the oak, vanilla and rye, and it keeps the alcohol from overwhelming the aroma. Add a few drops of room-temperature water and the sweetness and grain notes usually open up while the heat eases. If you prefer it colder, use a rocks glass with one large cube. A single big cube melts slowly, so the drink chills with little dilution. Many small cubes will water down a spirit like this quickly. The proof and rye character suit stirred cocktails, because the bourbon holds its shape against sugar, bitters and vermouth. In an Old Fashioned, a sugar cube or a teaspoon of rich syrup with two dashes of Angostura bitters and an orange peel lets the rye spice come through. In a Manhattan, pair it with sweet vermouth in roughly a 2:1 ratio. The higher proof keeps the drink from tasting thin or sweet. A Whiskey Sour is a good use of it too: fresh lemon juice and simple syrup, with an optional egg white for body, won't flatten the whiskey's flavor. For a Highball, pour over ice, top with soda water or ginger beer, and add a lemon wedge. You'll want a generous pour, because the spice stays distinct in a tall drink. For food, the caramel and char suit smoked brisket, grilled pork, aged cheddar, and dark chocolate with a bit of sea salt.