Bernheim Wheat Whiskey is a product of Heaven Hill Distillery (read: Larceny, Evan Williams, Elijah Craig, etc.), and its claim to fame is being the only new truly different variety of whiskey since Prohibition. And it’s fantastic. It has an incredibly light and bright taste, making drinking this almost dangerously easy. Being a “Straight Whiskey,” it meets the criteria of bourbon; 2 years in a new charred-oak barrel, barreled at 160 proof (80% Alc/Vol), with no coloring or blending agents in the process. The difference is, instead of the mandatory 51% corn requirement in what is legally allowed to be called “Bourbon,” Bernheim Wheat Whiskey uses 51% Soft Winter Wheat. Further, Bernheim is a “Small Batch” (which to Heaven Hill means, 100 or less barrels dumped), and all whiskey used is aged no less than 7 years, granting the ability to proudly display their 7 year age statement on every bottle in a day and age that age statements are getting rare. I love Wheated Bourbon, it’s absolutely my favorite sub-type of any whiskey; the sweetness, warm aroma, and wonderful tastes you can get with these are fantastic, as proof to that, I’ll point out to those that don’t know, it’s held fairly across the board that the coveted bottles of the awesome stuff they call Pappy Van Winkle are sought for their taste, and that would be the taste of one of the first great Wheated Bourbons.
In any case, Berheim technically isn’t a bourbon. It’s a Wheat Whiskey, and it’s great. It tastes incredibly sweet, but not sweet enough to be off-putting. This doesn’t even take a few “Get used to it” sips to drink straight, and if you’re looking for a conduit to regular bourbon with its heavier corn hit, I think this is a great place to start. It’s really affordable where I live too (in NC it’s about 24 bucks a bottle on sale, 27 regular) and is easily drinkable for all occasions. Their website has all kinds of cool cocktail recipes attached as well, so bringing this and some mixers to your next party, or just itself to your next whiskey meet-up I think would be appreciated anytime as a go-to. There’s vanilla like a bourbon, definitely coming from the “Straight Whiskey” required charred new oak barrels, but the sideswipe in the mouth here is the surprising amount of clover honey and hints of mint. The smell is as warm as the taste and just reminds me of holidays for some reason. Not too much on the usual baking spices in a bourbon in my opinion but almost a fresh-baked bread smell? I taste specifically (and a bit oddly I think) light roasted Kona coffee with cream to a very small degree. Bernheim is easily one of my favorites next to Larceny for an “every day sipper.” Bernheim Kentucky Straight Wheat Whiskey 7 Years Aged Small Batch Heaven Hill Distillery, Louisville, Kentucky 45% Alc/Vol Please Drink Responsibly. http://www.bernheimwheatwhiskey.com Image credit: www.broudys.com
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