Bulleit Old Fashioned 750ML

Bulleit Old Fashioned 750ML is a ready-to-drink Old Fashioned cocktail made with Bulleit Kentucky Straight Bourbon, bottled at 37.5% ABV in a 750ml format. This pre-mixed expression earned consecutive Double Gold Medals at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition in both 2023 and 2024, establishing it as one of the most decorated RTD cocktails currently available.

Quick Facts: ABV: 37.5% (75 proof)  |  Origin: Kentucky, USA  |  Style: Ready-to-Drink Cocktail  |  Distillery: Bulleit Distilling Co., Louisville, KY

Production & Heritage

Bulleit Distilling Co., based in Louisville, Kentucky, developed this RTD cocktail in collaboration with professional bartenders who helped refine and finalize the recipe. The base spirit is Bulleit's Kentucky Straight Bourbon, built on a distinctive high-rye mashbill of 68% corn, 28% rye, and 4% malted barley — a rye content significantly higher than most standard bourbons. The finished cocktail blends that bourbon with simple syrup and orange bitters, replicating the classic Old Fashioned formula in a shelf-stable, ready-to-serve bottle.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Sweet oak and warm nutmeg arrive first, followed by a layer of light toffee and a citrus lift from the orange bitters. The bourbon's high-rye backbone adds a faint spice note underneath the sweetness.

Taste: The entry is smooth and subtly sweet, with toffee and caramelized oak meeting the palate immediately. Mid-palate, the orange bitters introduce a gentle citrus brightness that balances the bourbon's richness. The rye influence emerges toward the peak, adding peppery warmth that prevents the drink from leaning too sweet.

Finish: Medium in length with lingering oak sweetness and a dry, slightly bitter close from the orange bitters. A whisper of nutmeg and baking spice remains as the flavors fade.

How to Drink Bulleit Old Fashioned

This RTD is designed to be poured directly over a large ice cube or sphere and served immediately — no mixing required. A fresh orange peel expressed over the glass and a brandied cherry complete the presentation. For those who want to use it as a cocktail ingredient, the Bulleit Old Fashioned can serve as a pre-batched base: add a splash of orange liqueur and a dash of Angostura for a more layered drink, stir it with a bar spoon of maple syrup for a Maple Old Fashioned variation, or lengthen it with a small pour of club soda for a lighter, effervescent serve.

Best For

• Hosting gatherings where consistent, bar-quality cocktails are needed without a dedicated bartender
• Gifting a bourbon drinker who appreciates the Old Fashioned as their go-to order
• Tailgating, camping, or outdoor events where glassware and bar tools are impractical
• Stocking a home bar with a reliable, award-winning ready-to-drink option

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Bulleit Old Fashioned taste like? It delivers sweet oak, light toffee, and nutmeg from the bourbon base, balanced by the citrus brightness and gentle bitterness of orange bitters. The high-rye mashbill adds a peppery spice that keeps the profile from becoming overly sweet.

How does Bulleit Old Fashioned compare to Kirkland Old Fashioned? Bulleit Old Fashioned is built on a high-rye bourbon (28% rye) and bottled at 37.5% ABV, giving it more noticeable spice and proof than many competing RTD Old Fashioneds. The Kirkland Old Fashioned is generally positioned as a budget-friendly alternative, while the Bulleit expression carries back-to-back Double Gold Medals from the San Francisco World Spirits Competition.

Is Bulleit Old Fashioned good for beginners? Yes — the balanced sweetness and moderate 37.5% ABV make it an approachable introduction to bourbon cocktails. The ready-to-drink format removes the guesswork of proportions, delivering a consistent result every time.

Where is Bulleit Old Fashioned made? It is produced by Bulleit Distilling Co. in Louisville, Kentucky. The base bourbon used in the cocktail is a Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey distilled and aged in the same region.

What foods pair well with Bulleit Old Fashioned? Smoked brisket or pulled pork complements the bourbon's oak and toffee notes. Dark chocolate or chocolate truffles echo the drink's caramel sweetness. Sharp cheddar or aged Gruyère provides a savory counterpoint to the orange bitters. Pecan pie or bread pudding mirrors the warm baking-spice character. Charcuterie with dried fruit and salted nuts offers a versatile, crowd-friendly pairing.

What sizes does Bulleit Old Fashioned come in? The standard size is the 750ml bottle, which is the most widely available format for this RTD cocktail.

Is Bulleit Old Fashioned worth the price? It positions as a mid-range ready-to-drink cocktail within the RTD bourbon category, and its consecutive Double Gold Medals at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition validate the quality relative to its price tier. The use of Bulleit's flagship high-rye bourbon as the base spirit adds genuine credibility that many competing RTD products lack.

Why Bulleit Old Fashioned?

Consecutive Double Gold Medals at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition in 2023 and 2024 place this among the highest-rated ready-to-drink cocktails in the category — a distinction few RTD products achieve even once. The recipe's foundation on Bulleit's 68/28/4 high-rye bourbon gives it a spicier, more complex backbone than RTD Old Fashioneds built on softer, lower-rye whiskeys. The bartender-developed formula gets the sweet-to-bitter ratio right without tasting overly syrupy or artificial. For anyone who wants a genuine Old Fashioned without the prep, this bottle delivers a credible, competition-validated result straight from the pour.