Bulleit moves into American single malts

Diageo-owned Bulleit Frontier Whiskey has released its first American single malt, which will join the permanent range.

Bulleit American Single Malt has a mash bill of 100% malted barley and is aged in charred new American white oak barrels. The American single malt category is currently without a formal definition, although there is a growing movement for it to be recognised as an official whiskey style. The expression has ‘sweet vanilla’ and ‘toasted oak’ on the nose, while the palate offers hints of ‘red fruit and pear’. A 750ml bottle retails for US$59.99 and is available across the US. The 45% ABV whiskey comes in a post-consumer recycled bottle, part of the brand’s sustainability efforts. In 2017, the brand opened a distillery in Shelbyville, Kentucky, with a focus on sustainable practices, including natural habitat protection, water conservation and local ingredient sourcing. In 2019, it added a US$10 million visitor centre; its bar is free from single-use plastics and sources cocktail garnishes grown in the on-site garden. Bulleit also teamed up with non-profit American Forests in 2020 and has committed to planting and restoring 2.5m white oak trees by 2026. Jesse Damashek, senior vice-president of whiskies and liqueurs at Diageo, said: “Bulleit American Single Malt brings Bulleit’s restless innovation and passion for sustainability into this exciting new category that is set to make waves in the whiskey industry for years to come. “With a 100% malted barley mash bill, and a striking green bottle created from post-consumer recycled glass, this exceptional whiskey covers a lot of new ground for the brand. “I believe we've succeeded in crafting a distinctive American single malt that whiskey lovers across the country will savour and enjoy.”