NOTE: We didn’t realize until after filming that our bottle of Elijah Craig was actually a single barrel selection rather than the standard small batch. Rather than scrapping the episode, we verified that it was on-profile enough to warrant releasing the video as is.
Elijah Craig Small Batch is a solid bourbon. Bulleit, in my opinion, is a little weak. Cool bottle though, if that’s worth anything. But when I compare, there is no comparison. E C is darn good
Bulleit is readily available at a good price. Honestly, I think most people would prefer a Four Roses or a Buffalo, but Four Roses is more expensive and Buffalo is so in fashion right now that a lot of sellers can't get it and bars are charging a premium on it.
Hey Josh my brother, I came back to this video and noticed you pretty much look the same as now. On the other hand, Erin gets more beautiful every time I see here. As far as the whiskey, Elijah is my go-to very often. Their rye is great for the money.
Not much of a Bulleit fan, several bottled in bond products at that price point that I'd rather drink. EC small batch is better in my opinion. I've got a couple of small batch select bottles with 10 & 12 year age statements (but still 94 proof) that knock my socks off but they do cost significantly more. And then of course there are the barrel proof that are generally great.
Well said. These days we do tend to gravitate toward those bottled in bond products over either of these. Bottled in bond may be the perfect "flavorful easy sipping" category.
My first ecsb sp was super brown sugar and delicious, the one I'm currently sipping on is not nearly as amazing. Didn't care for Bullitt last time I had it. Rather have ET bib or WT 101.
This one is pretty much right on profile with the standard small batch. Maybe a *touch* more fruitiness, but we struggle to differentiate in a blind. Some can get quite a bit of age and oak on them, adding to that darker brown sugar profile.
My favorite bottle of bourbon I ever tried was an Elijah Craig single barrel pic. Only paid $32 for it and wish I had bought more. Great review tho and cheers!
I find bulleit really underwhelming but thats not really surprising considering most of it is four roses and thats how i feel about four roses in general. Elijah craig is just really solid, especially since its like 24 bucks here.
You're not wrong on Elijah, but you're not a Roses fan!? We love most things in the SiB bottle, even the standard 100 proof offering, but know it's a fairly polarizing flavor profile.
Great video as usual. I scored an EC store pick in N California last month and loved it. The first time I had Bulleit the nose smelled like Hoppes gun solvent to me. Not unpleasant, just strange. Lol
I don't dislike either of those, but I also wouldn't but a bottle of either of their standard releases. I'd consider the 10yo Bulleit or a barrel proof EC. Like you, in that price point, WT101 and Early Times BIB are much better.
Was expecting Erin's tasting notes to be something like "Reminds me of a kangaroo joey snuggled in an L.L. Bean comforter in the passenger seat of a '72 Pinto." Have to admit I'm secretly hoping for one of the samples to be a Dickel Tobasco and the resultant spit-take. Muahahahaha!
Bwahahahaha! We may have to use that one and give you credit. That's hilarious! And no Dickel Tobasco in our head-to-head pool--can't imagine what in the world would be a comparable competitor nor would we want to meet that pour either--but @ADHD Whiskey did sneak Dickel Tobasco into a blind flight as a bonus pour for the loser when we were on his channel. Needless to say it was NOT a favorite. 😂
Bulleit Bourbon is middle of the pack IMO when it comes to bourbons. Much prefer their Rye, which is in my rotation of house ryes. Surprisingly, I've never had EC.
I recall an article or maybe a video that talked about the original release strategy back in the day for Bulleit (Diageo?), using their marketing effort (and maybe that gorgeous bottle that showed up in Justified, and is now regular product placement in Yellowstone) to get it into bars. I think maybe the high-rye content made it attractive to bars as well for Old Fashioneds and the like? For me I feel like Bulleit started me off on the wrong foot, Early Covid, I was bored teaching at home, and via a Whiskey Tribe starter bourbon video, started with a bottle of base Bulleit…in retrospect the relative high-rye turned me off…EC was my #2 or 3, and those bottles got me on the right track, before the craziness that followed. Now a recent Bulleit store pick I have is a delight, so I concur with Erin’s philosophy on change and growth.
Well said David. Glad to hear your early experience with Bulleit as we've often said it's not a great starter bourbon, and also glad you gave them another shot as those 104 proof store picks can be outstanding. Cheers!
The last time i bought Bulleit Bourbon i went into a grocery store and they had it on a blowout sale for $14,99 for a 750ml. Of course i bought two of them.
I recently bought a Bullet Single Barrel store pick it comes in at around 107 proof and it's really awesome and has way more flavor and the finish hangs on for a lot longer. Regular Bullet is good for guests and mixed drinks or over ice.
I’ve only had this standard Bulleit and their barrel strength and Blender’s Select and actually never had the standard Elijah 😁 Need to try Erin’s fave Bulleit rye. Another awesome blind head to head 🥃🥃
Thanks Richie! And the standard Bulleit rye isn't anything special, but it does hold a special place for us. We'd love to find one of the Blender's Select bottles but seemed to have missed out on that release.
