Bulleit's rolling out something different: a bourbon finished with mesquite-smoked malt. It's hitting US shelves now at around $35.
The spec sheet says 68% corn, 28% rye, and 4% malted barley that's been smoked over mesquite wood. Think campfire notes layered over Bulleit's high-rye backbone. They're pitching it as a barbecue-season pour, which makes sense - mesquite smoke is Texas territory.
Will it land in Australia? Nothing confirmed yet, but Bulleit's main range is widely available here. If you're keen on smoked whiskies, this sits somewhere between Islay peat and American experimenting. One for the curious.
The mesquite angle is bold. American distillers have been playing with smoke for years, but usually it's cherry wood or applewood. Mesquite brings serious char and bite. Whether that works in bourbon depends on how heavy-handed they went with the finish.
One to track if you're into flavoured whiskies or just curious what happens when bourbon meets Texas barbecue.
Source: Fred Minnick
