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Bulleit Bourbon vs Kentucky Owl Batch 12
Comparing Bulleit Bourbon and Kentucky Owl Batch 12 reveals a matchup between a sourced, spice-driven blend and an uncut, cask-strength bruiser.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Bulleit Bourbon | Kentucky Owl Batch 12 |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof |
| Mash Bill 1 | 68% corn, 28% rye, 4% malted barley | Not disclosed |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 90 proof (45% ABV) | 115.8 proof (57.9% ABV) +26 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$25 – $32 ~$322 less | ~$300 – $400 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Limited |
- Kentucky Owl Batch 12 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.
Kentucky Owl Batch 12
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Bulleit Bourbon Kentucky Owl Batch 12
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 5/8 oak: Bulleit Bourbon 5 out of 10, Kentucky Owl Batch 12 8 out of 10
heat 4/7 heat: Bulleit Bourbon 4 out of 10, Kentucky Owl Batch 12 7 out of 10
sweetness 5/6 sweetness: Bulleit Bourbon 5 out of 10, Kentucky Owl Batch 12 6 out of 10
fruit 5/4 fruit: Bulleit Bourbon 5 out of 10, Kentucky Owl Batch 12 4 out of 10
spice 7/7 spice: Bulleit Bourbon 7 out of 10, Kentucky Owl Batch 12 7 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Bulleit Bourbon 3 out of 10, Kentucky Owl Batch 12 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Barrel influence is the main separator.
- 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.
- Kentucky Owl Batch 12: A high-end blend of young and older sourced Kentucky bourbons. Leather, smoky oak and caramel, with a peppery, spice-forward palate.
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 Kentucky Owl Batch 12 if you want a spicy, leathery, high-end blended bourbon with significantly more proof behind it and with the texture that comes from skipping chill filtration.
Best enjoyed old-fashioned, cocktails, highball (Bulleit Bourbon); neat (Kentucky Owl Batch 12).