10 Y with Lunchbox

Thomas E. Bulleit Jr. revived a family bourbon recipe in 1987 that traces back to his great-great-grandfather Augustus, a rye whiskey producer from the 1830s–1860s. That heritage anchors this 10-year-old bourbon: a high-rye mash bill (roughly one-third rye, two-thirds corn, and a touch of malted barley) that after a decade in charred American oak has developed a richer, more refined character than the brand's younger expressions.

The nose opens with vanilla and toasted grain, supported by dried fruit. The palate brings oak forward, tempered by soft caramel and pleasant spice. The finish is long and silky, where wood and spice converge in understated balance.

This is a bourbon that tastes more grown-up than its younger siblings—less assertive, more layered. The lunchbox is a playful touch, but the spirit inside rewards serious bourbon drinkers who value equilibrium over spectacle.