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Bulleit Proof: How I Took a 150-Year-Old Family Recipe and a Revolver, and Disrupted the Entire Liquor Industry One Bottle, One Sip, One Handshake at a Time
The compelling story of how one man took a 150-year-old family recipe and disrupted the entire liquor industry one sip, one bottle, one handshake at a time Tom Bulleit stood on a stage before a thousand people inside a tent the size of a big-top. It was both his thirtieth wedding anniversary and his birthday. But there was another thing to the dedication of the new Bulleit Distillery in Shelbyville, Kentucky. His great-great-grandfather, Augustus, created his first batch of Bulleit Bourbon around 1830. A century and a half later, Tom fulfilled his lifelong dream, revived the old family bourbon recipe, and started Bulleit Distilling Company. Eventually, Tom was named a member of the Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels, and elected to the Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame. Thinking back on all his achievements, Tom was overcome by a wave of emotion. He looked into the sea of faces and said, “I don't believe our lives are told in years. . . or months. . . or weeks. I believe we live our lives in moments." Tom’s book Bulleit Proof is just that―a life told in moments. Moments of joy, triumph, hardship, persistence, and success. His is a story of survival : in war, in business, in life. Tom faced death in a foxhole and in a cancer ward. In Bulleit Proof , Tom reveals all, pulls no punches, and lets you into his heart. In this book, you Bulleit Proof is a fast-paced page-turner―not only for fans of Bulleit Bourbon and admirers of Tom, but for anyone who loves an emotional, hilarious, inspirational, and deeply honest story.
240 pages, Hardcover
First published April 7, 2020
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38 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
November 30, 2020
I received a copy of this book through the Amazon Vine program in exchange for an honest review.
This is a hard book to rate.
I thought this would be a book about the history of bourbon and how the Bulleit family built the bourbon empire but really it's Tom Bulleit's memoir.
The way the book is organized is confusing from the start. There's allusions to "Bulleit points" throughout the book but they don't actually appear in a list until the end. We start with the history of Bulleit's father and how he served in the military and was presumed dead and then we move on to Tom's life. He writes about his time in the Marines and Vietnam in present tense, which is a thing that happens throughout the book at seemingly random times. We flash forward to law school and then back again. We don't really get into the bourbon until almost a fourth of the way through the book.
When we hear about the Bulleit business it is all business. How much money things cost, how much debt, how long it takes....the only real anecdote around the creation of the Bulleit bourbon is the bottle modeling.
We spend most of the book hearing about Bulleit's personal life and how he became a father at nearly 50, his bout with cancer, how he was trying to raise money for his dream. He talks about the importance of getting bartenders on board and how he had to build his brand from the ground up, but he doesn't elaborate on how he did it or what he attributes his success to.
If I'd gone into this knowing it was really a memoir I'd maybe have a different opinion. It's not linear time-wise and felt like I was being told instead of showed a lot of information making it not my cup of tea.
This is a hard book to rate.
I thought this would be a book about the history of bourbon and how the Bulleit family built the bourbon empire but really it's Tom Bulleit's memoir.
The way the book is organized is confusing from the start. There's allusions to "Bulleit points" throughout the book but they don't actually appear in a list until the end. We start with the history of Bulleit's father and how he served in the military and was presumed dead and then we move on to Tom's life. He writes about his time in the Marines and Vietnam in present tense, which is a thing that happens throughout the book at seemingly random times. We flash forward to law school and then back again. We don't really get into the bourbon until almost a fourth of the way through the book.
When we hear about the Bulleit business it is all business. How much money things cost, how much debt, how long it takes....the only real anecdote around the creation of the Bulleit bourbon is the bottle modeling.
We spend most of the book hearing about Bulleit's personal life and how he became a father at nearly 50, his bout with cancer, how he was trying to raise money for his dream. He talks about the importance of getting bartenders on board and how he had to build his brand from the ground up, but he doesn't elaborate on how he did it or what he attributes his success to.
If I'd gone into this knowing it was really a memoir I'd maybe have a different opinion. It's not linear time-wise and felt like I was being told instead of showed a lot of information making it not my cup of tea.
April 7, 2020
AlanEisenstock.com
is the co-author of more than a dozen books dealing with individuals whose stories have made a difference. While Alan prefers wine to bourbon, this assignment turned into a warm friendship. Elgin Baylor's story HANG TIME brought a near forgotten star out of obscurity. One of my favorites. For those who remembered the family tradition of Bulleit Bourbon, that Tom Bulleit was able to bring back his distillery into what is now one of the most sought after brands was worth writing about. At least the publisher's thought so. OK am prejudiced, Alan is my brother-in-law, and the adventures of all his books i lean on the periphery. What a great read for a time of plague and an in-absentia president. Unfortunately I was a single malt aficionado but no longer imbibe. Doubtless you will find this book a quick and engaging read. And look at Alan's back titles; there might be something else on there as well.
is the co-author of more than a dozen books dealing with individuals whose stories have made a difference. While Alan prefers wine to bourbon, this assignment turned into a warm friendship. Elgin Baylor's story HANG TIME brought a near forgotten star out of obscurity. One of my favorites. For those who remembered the family tradition of Bulleit Bourbon, that Tom Bulleit was able to bring back his distillery into what is now one of the most sought after brands was worth writing about. At least the publisher's thought so. OK am prejudiced, Alan is my brother-in-law, and the adventures of all his books i lean on the periphery. What a great read for a time of plague and an in-absentia president. Unfortunately I was a single malt aficionado but no longer imbibe. Doubtless you will find this book a quick and engaging read. And look at Alan's back titles; there might be something else on there as well.
January 1, 2021
I really enjoyed reading Bulleit Proof and learning more about Tom’s story. The book is broken up into short, easily digestible chapters that detail Tom’s life and how he worked his way from the ground up in the world of Bourbon. He offered “Bulleit Points” that provide some wisdom for business and life.
What I really enjoyed most about this book is that Tom doesn’t shy away from going into the details about his failures with trying to launch the brand as well as his wins. Tom calls out that many times he “falls uphill” and how that helped him get to the next milestone.
Tom also goes into great detail on his bout with cancer, which provides a view one doesn’t typically get unless they or someone close to them has cancer.
Fascinating read. I definitely want to try some of the cocktails mentioned.
What I really enjoyed most about this book is that Tom doesn’t shy away from going into the details about his failures with trying to launch the brand as well as his wins. Tom calls out that many times he “falls uphill” and how that helped him get to the next milestone.
Tom also goes into great detail on his bout with cancer, which provides a view one doesn’t typically get unless they or someone close to them has cancer.
Fascinating read. I definitely want to try some of the cocktails mentioned.
May 17, 2020
If you are interested in the controversy & allegations between Tom and Hollis Bulleit, this book does not touch on that.
Bulleit Proof is an easy read that is broken into lots of short segments. I read it quickly, but also good for reading in short chunks.
You’re likely grabbing this book as a bourbon lover, but there is much more to this book than bourbon. The book details many chapters of Tom Bulleit’s life... including information that has nothing to do with bourbon. By far, the longest chapter in the book involves Tom Bulleit’s battle with cancer.
Bulleit Proof is an easy read that is broken into lots of short segments. I read it quickly, but also good for reading in short chunks.
You’re likely grabbing this book as a bourbon lover, but there is much more to this book than bourbon. The book details many chapters of Tom Bulleit’s life... including information that has nothing to do with bourbon. By far, the longest chapter in the book involves Tom Bulleit’s battle with cancer.
December 21, 2025
He needed to hire a better ghost writer.
Book was basically a confused review of his life. Thought it would’ve a lot more about his story and touching in reality it was just confused jumping from place to place.
Book was basically a confused review of his life. Thought it would’ve a lot more about his story and touching in reality it was just confused jumping from place to place.
October 15, 2022
Such a vanity piece. Actually did not finish the book, just couldn’t handle the writing style. Bulleit is still our house bourbon and rye.
April 28, 2025
This a real American story of patience, determination and hard work. I enjoyed the in-depth detail, positive message and overall tone.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews