Under-Dressed at a Speakeasy and Over-Hyped by Bulleit: A Whiskey Bits Review
- Matthew Sommerfield
- Apr 29
- 2 min read
From Episode 057: "Bulleit Bourbon BiB; Favorite Historical Era"
Whiskey Bits is back, and in true form, we’re kicking off a new season the only way we know how—by sipping a questionable whiskey and spiraling into hilarious, barely-on-topic chaos.
In this episode, Matt and Phil crack open a bottle of Bulleit Bourbon Bottled in Bond (2017 distillation). It’s aged 8 years, bottled at 100 proof, and sports all the prestige of the Bottled-in-Bond label. On paper? It sounds like a winner. In practice? Let’s just say the bottle might be dressed a little better than the bourbon inside.
The aroma gave us high hopes—Matt picked up notes of black cherry, while Phil sniffed something “rich and fruity.” But from the first sip, the palate didn’t quite match the promise of the nose. It’s warm, a little bitter, and while not unpleasant, it didn’t deliver the complexity we were expecting from an 8-year-old whiskey. “It’s not fruity,” Matt says, “but it’s also not not fruity.” So yeah, it’s one of those.
But the real star of this episode wasn’t the bourbon—it was the story of how Matt showed up to a 1920s speakeasy-themed birthday party wearing flannel. Everyone else was in cocktail attire. Suits, dresses, Gatsby glam. And there was Matt… in his dad-shirt finest. The best part? He was the hired entertainment. Classic.
Phil, ever the etiquette guy, couldn’t help but roast him. But hey, at least Matt eventually went home and changed. Moral of the story? Read the invitation. Or bring a backup tux. Or maybe both.
The conversation veers from bourbon to comedy gigs, etiquette, and even time travel. If you could go back to any era, what would it be? Matt’s leaning toward the 1920s-40s mobster vibe, while Phil dreams of the classy early ’60s muscle-car era. Somewhere between trench coats, Chevelles, and questionable fashion choices, the guys also debate whether Genghis Khan would’ve made a good party guest. (Spoiler: probably not.)
As for the Bulleit Bottled in Bond? It’s okay. For around $50, it’s not a bad bottle—but it didn’t blow us away. The nose outperformed the palate, and while it’s not a bad pour, it may not earn a permanent spot on your top shelf. Matt puts it best: “It might not get a stamp of approval, but I’ll still drink more of it.”
This episode is peak Whiskey Bits—full of sharp sips, sharper punchlines, and the kind of meandering conversations that make you feel like you’re at the bar with old friends.
So pour yourself something (hopefully better than this Bulleit), and join us for another season of laughs, questionable reviews, and timeless takes on whiskey, life, and everything in between.
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