Bulleit Mesquite Smoked Malt, 46.5%

The first-ever departure from Bulleit’s signa- ture high-rye bourbon profile, this 6 year old’s mashbill is 65% corn, 30% mesquite-smoked barley, and 5% malted barley. Earthiness, grape jelly, sarsaparilla, and light smoke on the nose. Vanilla, red berries, fading smoke, and lemon cake on the palate, with more vanilla on the finish. A well-made whiskey that could have taken more chances; the smoke never really comes out to play.