Soft Wheat For Summer Sipping

Wheat whiskey and wheated bourbons are often subtle and sweet

May 14, 2025 –––––– Whisky Advocate, , , ,

For whiskey lovers, the scorching summer sun and sultry temperatures might call for a pour that's not quite as spicy or bold. Certainly, any whisky is suitable regardless of the weather; a little water or a large cube of ice can work wonders to tame down an otherwise warming pour. But this time of year is ideal to explore wheated bourbons (aka wheaters) and wheat whiskeys. Their sweeter, softer, and less peppery profiles make them ideal sippers when the temps climb.

Whether neat, on the rocks, or in a cocktail, wheaters or straight-up wheat whiskeys might become your summer go-tos. Here's just a sampling of options to begin your wheat journey.

Wheat Whiskey

94 points - Bernheim Original Barrel Proof (Batch A224), 62.6%, $65

At 51% wheat, this batch serves flavors of baked apple, orange peel, musty oak, chocolate fudge, and vanilla. No. 10 in our Top 20 of 2024.

92 points - Dry Fly 3 year old Cask Strength, 60%, $50

This is a 100% wheat whiskey. Vanilla, pomegranate, cherry pie, and chocolate bar. It’s a hot one that benefits from water.

92 points - Maker’s Mark Star Hill Farm, 57.35%, $100

This blend of wheat whiskey, made from a mash of 70% wheat and 30% malted barley, and 100% malted wheat whiskey, creates a fruity palate with bright citrus and pepperiness.

91 points - Laws Whiskey House Centennial Bonded 7 year old (Batch 5), 50%, $80

This, too, is 100% wheat and a hot one. Cinnamon and pepper, but with water, cinnamon babka and honeycomb emerge.

90 points - Bainbridge Battle Point Two Islands Islay Cask Finished Wheat, 43%, $90

Made from 100% wheat and finished 8 to 12 months in barrels that previously held Islay scotch for 10 to 12 years, present flavors of smoke, salinity, grilled sausage, and leather.

Wheated Bourbon

92 points - Heaven Hill Grain to Glass (Distilled in 2017; 2024 Release), 60.5%, $100

This sits on the spicier side for a wheated bourbon, plus cherry cola, chocolate jellies, and strawberry jam.

92 points - Holladay Distillery 6 year old Soft Red Wheat Bottled in Bond (2024 Release), 50%, $60

The mashbill includes 15% wheat and is noticeably mellow at 100 proof; apricot, cherries, brown sugar, and strawberries balance nicely with oak and spice.

90 points - Green River Sour Mash, 45%, $35

With 21% wheat in its mashbill, this sour mash bourbon offers Juicy Fruit gum, ripe raspberry, pear, chocolate, and cinnamon.

90 points - Penelope Wheated Four Grain, 47.5%, $40

Great body with sugary sweetness, vanilla pastry cream, mocha latte, and sweet grain flavors abound in this 16% wheat bourbon.

90 points - Redwood Empire Screaming Titan (Batch 001), 48%, $80

Made from 61% corn, 30% wheat, 5% rye, and 4% malt, this has flavors of vanilla and smoke that blend wonderfully, with s’mores, campfire, and dried oak coming together. Ideal for those who aren't fans of spice.

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