Wheated Whiskeys Worth Getting Your Hands On
Discover the Magic of Wheated Whiskeys
In the world of whiskey, wheated varieties have carved a niche that resonates with both novices and seasoned enthusiasts. Known for their softer, rounder profiles due to the inclusion of wheat in their mash bills, these whiskeys offer a distinctive departure from their rye-forward counterparts. This unique grain choice imbues the spirit with a smoothness and sweetness that often carries hints of vanilla, honey, and spice, making it a delightful sip for those seeking something different. As the whiskey world continues to evolve, wheated whiskeys are garnering increasing attention for their approachability and complexity. Whether you're a collector or simply exploring new flavors, understanding what makes these whiskeys special can help you appreciate the art of distillation even more. Join us as we explore what sets wheated whiskeys apart and why they deserve a place on your shelf.
Redemption Wheated Bourbon
Redemption Wheated Bourbon stands out as a hidden gem among bourbon brands, offering exceptional quality at a modest price point. While Redemption typically focuses on spicier rye whiskies, this expression, rich with 45% wheat, presents a smooth and delightful alternative. The nose captivates with prominent vanilla notes complemented by hints of burnt wood, pear, and subtle florals, setting the stage for a truly enjoyable tasting experience. Upon tasting, its sweetness unfolds gracefully, accompanied by a luxurious mouthfeel and a harmonious blend of chocolate, hazelnut, and warming spices like nutmeg and black pepper. With each sip, the finish leaves a lingering desire for more, showcasing the whiskey's depth and allure. While it may fall just short of claiming the top spot, Redemption Wheated Bourbon undoubtedly earns its place as a top-tier choice for bourbon enthusiasts seeking something beyond the mainstream. Buy it now!
Bernheim Original Wheated American Whiskey
Born just outside Kippenheim, Germany, in 1848, Isaac Woolfe Bernheim arrived in the United States as a teenager with only $4. Originally planning to work in New York City, bankruptcy led him to become a traveling salesman on horseback, selling housewares in Pennsylvania. After his horse's demise, Isaac and his brother Bernard, a recent U.S. immigrant, moved to Kentucky, purchasing and renaming the Pleasure Ridge Park Distillery in 1896. During Prohibition, their distillery was one of the few permitted to operate for medicinal whiskey production. Bernheim Original Kentucky Straight Wheat Whiskey, a pioneering post-Prohibition spirit, features a unique mashbill predominantly composed of winter wheat, resulting in a soft, sweet flavor with intricate complexity. Distilled in Louisville, Kentucky, the mash, including corn and malted barley, matures for five years in Heaven Hill's Nelson County rickhouses. This exceptional whiskey has earned accolades such as the Pioneer Whiskey of the Year Award and a Double Gold Medal at the 2012 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, along with a "94 points" rating and "Exceptional" label from the Beverage Tasting Institute. Buy it now.
Heaven's Door Homesick Blues Minnesota Wheated Bourbon Whiskey
Raise a toast to Bob Dylan's creative legacy with our exceptional 7-year-old Minnesota Wheated Bourbon Whiskey, aptly named Homesick Blues. Crafted in Minnesota, just 150 miles from Dylan's birthplace, this bourbon undergoes cultivation, distillation, and aging in the heart of the North Country. Maturing amidst temperature extremes, from scorching highs at 116°F to chilling lows at -80°F, it develops an unparalleled character. Homesick Blues is a tribute to Dylan's Minnesota heritage and his influential impact on the whiskey world. With a deep, intense hue reflecting a rich, smooth character, this bourbon offers a satisfying experience. The full-bodied, velvety palate, enriched by wheat for creamy smoothness, achieves a masterful balance of sweet and spicy elements, showcasing the whiskey's unique character shaped by diverse climates. Homesick Blues stands as an extraordinary addition to the spirits realm, commemorating Bob Dylan's enduring legacy. Buy it now for $80.99.
Wilderness Trail Straight Wheated Bourbon
Wilderness Trail Wheated Bourbon stands as a testament to exceptional craftsmanship, representing a small-batch, small-grain Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Bottled in Bond. Distilled, aged, and bottled in Danville, Kentucky, this Small Batch selection is crafted from 100% local grains and benefits from premium cooper select barrels utilizing 18-month-old air-dried staves. With a distinctive mash bill featuring 64% corn, 24% wheat, and 12% malted barley, utilizing Wilderness Trail's proprietary yeast strains, it boasts one of the highest wheat ratios in a Kentucky Bourbon. Aged for a minimum of four years in #4 char barrels at a low 110 proof upon entry, this results in a rich, non-chill filtered small batch Bourbon. Expect a flavor profile that includes vanilla, charred oak, cinnamon, and a long, sweet finish characterized by oak spices, toffee, and dark fruits. Buy it for $63.99.
King’s Family Distillery Wheated Bourbon
Nestled near Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, at the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains, King’s Family Distillery is a newcomer to the whiskey scene. Their signature offering, King’s Wheated Bourbon, is meticulously crafted from a mash bill featuring 51% corn, 45% wheat, and 4% malted barley. After distillation, the bourbon matures for a minimum of four years in American white oak barrels, culminating in a bottling at 100 proof. Since its debut, King’s Wheated Bourbon has earned notable recognition, including a Gold medal at the 2024 Fifty Best Bourbon Awards and a Double Gold medal with 95 points at the North American Bourbon and Whisky Competition 2023. Founded in 2018 by spouses Justin and Cara King, both with a background in the spirits industry, King’s Family Distillery is driven by their shared passion for crafting exceptional whiskey. Buy it now!
6. Green River Distilling Co. Wheated Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Green River Distilling Co. presents an intriguing addition to the wheated bourbon category, with its namesake inspired by Kentucky's Green River. Founded in 1885, the brand underwent a hiatus until its revival in 2014, with bottles hitting the market in 2022. Despite its relatively recent resurgence, the brand has quickly gained traction. The wheated bourbon boasts a mash bill comprising 21% wheat, 70% corn, and 9% malted barley. A surprising fruitiness, reminiscent of peach, greets the nose, complemented by notes of toasted oak and nutmeg. On the palate, honey sweetness prevails, accompanied by a hint of nuttiness that adds warmth. While its availability may pose a challenge, and its complexity falls short of top-tier contenders, this expression underscores the wisdom of reviving this historic brand. Buy it now!
Mary Dowling Double Oak Barrel Strength Wheated Bourbon Whiskey
Meet Mary Dowling, the true Bourbon badass! Born to Irish immigrants in Kentucky, she fearlessly took charge of Waterfill & Frazier Distillery after her husband's passing, proving herself a resilient leader. When fire struck, she rebuilt the distillery, and when Prohibition posed a challenge, she relocated to Mexico, ensuring the whiskey continued to flow. Mary's grit is mirrored in her creation, the Double Oak Barrel Strength Wheated Bourbon. Aged in two oaks, this bold whiskey offers a flavor extravaganza with notes of tobacco, chocolate, cherry, and spices. The finish, a short and sweet farewell of cherry and dry spices, encapsulates the spirit of Mary Dowling. Raise a glass to the original Whiskey queen and honor her enduring legacy! Buy it now!
Hard Truth Sweet Mash Wheated Bourbon
This Indiana bourbon is doing something different with both their grain selection and their process. They're using heirloom corn and heritage barley, but what really sets it apart is the sweet mash method—they start each batch with a completely new yeast strain instead of reusing the backset like most distilleries do with sour mash. It's a five-year-old bourbon bottled at 100 proof, and the sweet mash process gives it this crazy long finish that just keeps going. The heirloom grains really come through on the palate—you get lush vanilla, creamy caramel, cinnamon toast, and even some banana bread notes. Wheated bourbons can sometimes feel too soft or one-dimensional, but the heritage grains here give it structure and complexity that keeps you interested. If you're a fan of Weller or Pappy but can actually find this on a shelf without paying secondary market prices, it's worth grabbing. The velvety mouthfeel is legit, and you can taste the difference that starting fresh with each batch makes.
Saint Cloud X Series Abstrakt Wheated Kentucky Straight Bourbon
Few experiences rival the excitement and pleasure of discovering a new Bourbon to enhance your collection. The Saint Cloud X Series Abstrakt Wheated Kentucky Straight Bourbon promises not just a delightful addition but an exciting journey for your palate. Renowned for its distinctive flavor profile, this Bourbon stands apart from the rest, offering a genuine taste tailored for Spirits connoisseurs. Don't be misled—this isn't your typical Bourbon. It delivers a true and unique flavor experience, making it a must-try for those seeking adventure in every sip. Carefully distilled in the United States and bottled at 50.0, this well-rounded Bourbon is crafted to be savored by both seasoned Spirits enthusiasts and newcomers alike. Buy it now!
Larceny Barrel Proof Wheated Bourbon
Heaven Hill's barrel-strength wheater packs a punch but stays incredibly inviting, bursting with cinnamon, warm brown sugar, and toasted oak that builds into a thick, viscous mouthfeel full of honey and baking spices. The higher proof brings intensity without overwhelming the soft wheat sweetness, leading to a long finish of nutmeg and caramel cream – it's bold yet forgiving, ideal for when you want something with real depth on a cool night. Buy it now!
Old Elk Wheated Bourbon
Old Elk uses a slow fermentation process that apparently pulls out more sweetness from the grains, and you can taste it. Their wheated bourbon is soft, round, and packed with vanilla cream, honey, and sweet corn flavors. Wheat in bourbon generally makes things smoother and sweeter compared to rye, and Old Elk maximizes that characteristic. What's cool is that the master distiller has a background in spirits engineering, so there's real science behind why this tastes the way it does. It's not just randomly throwing grains together and hoping for the best. The result is consistent, sweet, and way more interesting than your typical wheated bourbon.
Weller Full Proof Wheated Bourbon
The Weller legacy has traversed time, originating with the renowned Stitzel-Weller Distilling Company in 1935, later finding a home at Buffalo Trace Distillery under Sazerac ownership. The W. L. Weller brand, now in the hands of Sazerac, showcases their commitment to robust flavors. In the realm of high-proof Bourbons, Weller Full Proof lives up to its name, presenting the famous wheated Bourbon at its unadulterated, cask strength of 57% ABV. The absence of chill filtration ensures an explosion of aromatic esters and essential oils, offering an intense flavor experience that stands boldly, even against the chill of ice, making Weller Full Proof a true rock star in the world of craft Bourbons. Buy it now!
Jeptha Creed Distillery Six Year Wheated Bourbon
Released earlier this month, this whiskey features a blend of 75% Bloody Butcher corn, 20% malted wheat, and 5% malted barley, aged for six years and bottled at 93 proof. Joyce Nethery, the master distiller, holds a Master’s degree in engineering and has 15 years of experience as a process engineer in industrial-scale distillation. Before founding the distillery with her husband Bruce in 2016 on a 1,000-acre farm in Shelby County, KY, she also taught high school chemistry and physics. Buy it now!
Southern Star Paragon Bottled in Bond Wheated Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Southern Star Paragon Bottled in Bond Wheated Straight Bourbon Whiskey contains 50% wheat. It comes in a 750 ml bottle. Another excellent Southern Star Wheat Whiskey. Buy it now!
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