
Soft Wheat For Summer Sipping
Wheat whiskey and wheated bourbons are often subtle and sweet
May 14, 2025 –––––– Whisky Advocate
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.