Bernheim Original Wheat Whiskey

It has been a while since I've had a dram so my taste buds aren't that all tuned in to bourban. I wouldn't say this one wows me. Very sweet... mild oak, vanilla and turpintine are the predominant flavours. There is a lot better out there.

In a world where age statements are becoming increasingly scarce, Heaven Hill sticks to solid numbers for many of their whiskies. This one is a 7-year product. Notice how I haven't called it a bourbon? It's not. It's a whiskey composed largely of wheat, breaking the rule that bourbon must be 51% corn. To its credit, that big change in mash bill produces a dramatic difference in its flavors. It's incredibly sweet and filled with "high-register" flavors, if that makes any sense. It's almost icy in its profile, with a chilled citrus flavor that's reminiscent of orange popsicles and ice cream. The age comes through in a wood-cabinet varnish accent that helps give this some tannic grip. There aren't many dark, brooding bourbon flavors here, but it works pretty well.

Ultra smooth first hit with a tingle on the edges of the tongue. Good flavor but not as full as a fine bourbon might have.

Bernheim Original Wheat Whiskey is the first new style of American whiskey since prohibition. The mashbill must consist of 51% wheat. The mashbill for Bernheim Original Wheat Whiskey is 51% wheat, 37% corn, and 12% barley. From what I can find, there are only a handful of wheat whiskey’s out there. This one does have a 7 year age statement on the bottle which is a plus now days. The color is a nice amber color. The legs are thin but do not run to fast down the glass and after a while the just cling there. The nose is sweet with lots of vanilla, caramel, and honey. The taste is vanilla, caramel, some oak, and a touch of spice. The finish is fast with hints of oak with a slight residual caramel sweetness. It is very light and easy to drink whiskey. This would be a great choice into whiskey for someone new. To me this is very similar to other wheated bourbons.

Nose: sweet caramel, cherries Palate: sweet, caramel, spice, oak Finish: syrup, spice, tobacco/leather on back end