Bulleit Bourbon
Kentucky
Diageo's high-rye bourbon at 90 proof, the standard US bottling. The 28% rye is among the highest of any mainstream bourbon and the malted barley is only 4%. Bulleit also sells age-stated and bottled-in-bond versions, which are different products.
- Aging
- New charred oak, no age statement
- Mashbill
- Corn 68%Rye 28%Malted barley 4%
- Grains
- corn, rye, malted barley
- Congeners
- High
- Histamines
- Moderate
- Polyphenols
- Moderate
- Sulfites
- Very Low
- Tannins
- Moderate
- Sugar
- Low
- Additives
- Very Low
- Calories
- 110
- Sugar
- 0g
15.8g ethanol at 45% ABV. No sugar, so every calorie here is alcohol.
In its favor
- ✓No additives permitted in bourbon
- ✓Bottled at 90 proof, not barrel strength
What to watch
- !High-rye mash carries a spicier aromatic congener load
- !No age statement
Factor by factor
Congeners High ▾
Byproducts of fermentation (methanol, acetaldehyde, fusel alcohols). Strongly linked to hangover severity; darker, less-distilled spirits carry more.
Histamines Moderate ▾
Produced by bacteria during fermentation/aging. Trigger flushing, headaches, congestion in sensitive drinkers. High in red wine, beer, aged spirits.
Polyphenols Moderate ▾
Plant compounds with antioxidant activity. Slightly protective at low doses but at high concentrations may worsen hangover via tannin/quercetin reactions.
Sulfites Very Low ▾
Preservatives (SO₂) added to wine and some beers. Common trigger of headaches, asthma, and allergic-type reactions.
Tannins Moderate ▾
Astringent polyphenols from skins, seeds, barrels. Bind proteins, slow alcohol clearance, and aggravate dehydration-style symptoms.
Sugar Low ▾
Residual sugar amplifies hangover via blood-sugar swings and dehydration. Liqueurs and cocktails are the main offenders.
Additives Very Low ▾
Colorants, flavorings, glycerin, propylene glycol, sorbates. Cheap spirits and ready-to-drinks often hide these in trade-secret formulas.
Bulleit is a high-rye bourbon: 28% rye against the 8 to 13% in most Kentucky mashbills, with barely any malted barley. Rye contributes the sharper, spicier aromatic compounds, so at matched proof and age it lands a little heavier than a wheated bourbon like Maker’s Mark.
Bulleit Bourbon questions
How many calories are in a shot of Bulleit Bourbon? ▾
About 110 calories in a 1.5oz shot at 45% ABV. All of them come from the alcohol, since there is no sugar.
Does Bulleit Bourbon have sugar? ▾
No. Bulleit Bourbon has 0g of sugar per 1.5oz serving.
Is Bulleit Bourbon gluten-free? ▾
Not by label. Bulleit Bourbon is distilled from rye and barley, so US rules bar it from claiming gluten-free. Distillation does remove the gluten protein, and the Celiac Disease Foundation considers distilled spirits safe for most coeliacs. If you would rather avoid the question, pick a spirit distilled from corn, potato, grape or agave.
What is Bulleit Bourbon made from? ▾
Bulleit Bourbon is made from corn, rye, malted barley, with a mashbill of 68% corn, 28% rye, 4% malted barley.
What proof is Bulleit Bourbon? ▾
Bulleit Bourbon is 90 proof, which is 45% alcohol by volume.
Does Bulleit Bourbon give you a bad hangover? ▾
Bulleit Bourbon scores 6/10 on the SpiritFacts Hangover Index, against 7/10 for bourbon overall. The main drivers are its congeners.
Is Bulleit Bourbon vegan? ▾
Yes. Bulleit Bourbon is listed as vegan, with no animal-derived ingredients or fining agents.