Our Favorite Wheated Bourbons Under $50

Most bourbons use rye as a secondary grain. Instead, 1792 uses a higher percentage of wheat, along with corn and malted barley, made with a yeast strain specific to the Barton 1792 Distillery (owned by Sazerac and named for the year Kentucky became a state). This wheater was distilled in 2007.

Yearling is the first aged whisky produced at West Virginia's Smooth Ambler distillery. Master Distiller John Little distills it twice in pot stills, with a mashbill of 60% corn, 20% wheat, and 20% malted barley. It's aged in 5-15 gallon casks. This review is for the first release of this product - a second one with a different mashbill aged in larger barrels is also set for release. Also, pricing is for a 375ml bottle.

Old Fitzgerald, a product of Heaven Hills Distillery, is a very affordable, everyday whiskey made with wheat as a secondary grain in place of rye in the mash bill. Wheated bourbons are known to be a bit softer and lighter than bourbons that are made with rye. This whiskey is also unique in that it is “Bottled in Bond” which ensures that a whiskey is produced and bottled by one distiller, in one distilling season, is aged in a bonded US government warehouse for a minimum of four years and is bottled at 100 proof.

Rebel Yell is a wheated bourbon brand contract distilled at Heaven Hill Distillery, but owned by Luxco, Inc. Rebel Yell has been a registered brand since 1936 although the recipe for the bourbon dates back to 1849. It is bottled without an age statement at 80 proof. Note: The portfolio for Rebel Yell all received a makeover with updated labels in April 2019. Also, the brand has since changed the name from Rebel Yell to simply Rebel so this product has been discontinued.

Larceny Small Batch is a brand extension of Heaven Hill's Old Fitzgerald line. According to their story, back in the day, John E. Fitzgerald used his privilege of holding the keys to Pappy Van Winkle's bonded warehouse, where the Old Fitzgerald bourbons were kept, to steal the best casks for himself. These became known as the "Fitzgerald Barrels." Larceny is a wheated straight bourbon made from a blend of selected barrels made in honor of this legend. It bears no-age statement and is bottled at 92 proof.

Launched in 2010, Maker's Mark 46 is made by taking fully matured Maker's Mark Bourbon at cask strength and inserting specially seared French oak staves into the barrels. The bourbon finishes aging for a few months before bottling. The French oak staves selected from the Independent Stave Company, Maker's Mark long time cooperage, were named "Stave Profile No. 46." This is the first brand extension from the distillery since it started production in 1953 and is the first in its Wood Finishing Series. Note: As of March 2022 the brand has updated the packaging for its bottle and label to highlight the French oak staves.

Released in June 2017, this whiskey was distilled at MGP for Redemption Whiskey, a brand usually known for their rye and high-rye bourbon releases. This Wheated Bourbon release has a mashbill of 45% winter wheat which is higher than most wheated bourbons on the market. It is produced in batches with the batch numbers listed on each bottle and aged for four years in new, charred oak barrels.

Maker's Mark Bourbon is a wheated bourbon made with a mash bill recipe of 70% locally-grown corn, 16% red winter wheat, and 14% malted barley. This recipe was created by Bill Samuels, Sr. who baked bread with different grains to settle on his mash bill rather than trial and error with distillation. His wife, Margie Samuels, is responsible for the shape of the bottle, the signature label, and the red wax topper. Maker's Mark is aged in char #3 new American oak barrels for 6-7 years. It is bottled at 90 proof.

When it comes to wheated bourbons, this is the one that started them all... Well, William Larue Weller (the bourbon's namesake) is the one that started it. When you talk Pappy, Maker's Mark or Rebel Yell you have to thank Mr. Weller for having the foresight to swap out the rye for wheat. Special Reserve is the 'entry' bottling to the Weller line and a must have for anyone wanting to learn more about bourbon and its different variations. Note: Can't find Pappy? Drink this, the Weller 12 year or the Weller Antique.