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Bulleit Bourbon vs Horse Soldier Barrel Strength
Put Bulleit Bourbon next to Horse Soldier Barrel Strength and you have a blender-built, high-rye bottling set against an uncut, high-wheat heavyweight.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Bulleit Bourbon | Horse Soldier Barrel Strength |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Wheated Bourbon, Barrel Proof |
| Mash Bill 1 | 68% corn, 28% rye, 4% malted barley | 70% corn, 20% wheat, 10% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 90 proof (45% ABV) | 111 proof (55.5% ABV) +21 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$25 – $32 ~$53 less | ~$78 – $85 |
- Horse Soldier Barrel Strength does not publish an official mash bill.
- US shelf prices as of 2026-08; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Bulleit Bourbon
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Horse Soldier Barrel Strength
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Bulleit Bourbon Horse Soldier Barrel Strength
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 4/7 heat: Bulleit Bourbon 4 out of 10, Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 7 out of 10
sweetness 5/7 sweetness: Bulleit Bourbon 5 out of 10, Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 7 out of 10
spice 7/5 spice: Bulleit Bourbon 7 out of 10, Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 5 out of 10
oak 5/6 oak: Bulleit Bourbon 5 out of 10, Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 6 out of 10
fruit 5/5 fruit: Bulleit Bourbon 5 out of 10, Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Bulleit Bourbon 3 out of 10, Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
These two land very differently on the palate for heat.
- Bulleit Bourbon: The bottle that put high-rye bourbon in every cocktail bar in the country. Peppery and dry with the familiar MGP dill note, and it earns its place behind the bar more than in a glass on its own.
- Horse Soldier Barrel Strength: A barrel-strength wheater from the veteran-founded Horse Soldier brand. Brown sugar and toasted oak lead, baking spice and heat follow, and a splash of water pulls out darker fruit.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Bulleit Bourbon if you want a dry, peppery, high-rye bourbon built for cocktails and available absolutely everywhere at a significantly lower price point.
- Go with Horse Soldier Barrel Strength if you want a big, barrel-strength wheated bourbon with plenty of brown sugar and warmth with the texture that comes from skipping chill filtration.
Best enjoyed old-fashioned, cocktails, highball (Bulleit Bourbon); neat, old-fashioned (Horse Soldier Barrel Strength).