Wheat: Last But Not Least of the Four Prominent Whiskey Grains
The history of whiskey making in America using wheat dates back to the 18th century. Wheat was one of the main grains used to make whiskey in the early days of American distilling, alongside rye and corn.
One of the first recorded instances of whiskey being made with wheat in America was in the 1790s by a farmer and distiller named Jacob Beam. Beam started using wheat as a primary ingredient in his whiskey recipe, which he then passed down to his descendants. Today, his family name is still associated with one of the most popular whiskey brands in the world, Jim Beam.
During the 19th century, wheat whiskey became more popular in the United States, especially in the mid-Atlantic and midwestern regions. However, the popularity of wheat whiskey waned in the early 20th century due to the enactment of Prohibition in 1920.
After Prohibition was repealed in 1933, wheat whiskey began to make a comeback. However, it was overshadowed by the popularity of bourbon. It wasn't until the 21st century that wheat whiskey started to gain more attention and recognition from whiskey enthusiasts.
Wheat whiskey is typically characterized by its soft, mellow, and slightly sweet flavor, with notes of vanilla, caramel, and honey. It is generally lighter and smoother than bourbons or rye whiskies, with less spicy or herbal notes.
Selected Wheat Whiskies
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Bainbridge Battle Point Two Islands Islay Cask Finished
Bainbridge DistillersMash Bill: 100% Wheat
ABV: 43% | MSRP: $90
Tasting Notes: Sea Salt, Smoke, Stone Fruit, Leather, Caramel, Roasted Nuts, Chocolate
Suggested Drinking: Neat
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Bernheim Original 7 Year Old
Heaven Hill DistilleryMash Bill: 51% Wheat, 37% Corn, 12% Malted Barley
ABV: 45% | MSRP: $35
Tasting Notes: Vanilla, Honey, Citrus, Cinnamon, Berries, Caramel, Toffee, Oak
Suggested Drinking: Neat, Cocktails
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Dry Fly Cask Strength
Dry Fly DistillingMash Bill: 100% Wheat
ABV: 60% | MSRP: $50
Tasting Notes: Honey, Vanilla, Caramel, Cinnamon, Cherries, Oak, Toffee, Chocolate
Suggested Drinking: Rock
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Laws Centennial Bottled in Bond
LAWS Whiskey HouseMash Bill: 50% Wheat, 50% Malted Wheat
ABV: 50% | MSRP: $80
Tasting Notes: Honey, Strawberries, Citrus, Black Tea, Black Pepper, Roasted Nuts
Suggested Drinking: Rock
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Masterson's 12 Year Old Straight Wheat
Deutch FamilyMash Bill: 100% Wheat
ABV: 50% | MSRP: $70
Tasting Notes: Honey, Wheat Grain, Dried Fruits, Vanilla, Caramel, Baking Spices, Oak
Suggested Drinking: Neat
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Old Elk Straight Wheat Whiskey
Old Elk DistilleryMash Bill: 95% Wheat, 5% Malted Barley
ABV: 50% | MSRP: $65
Tasting Notes: Honey, Oak, Cherry, Vanilla, Roasted Nuts, Figs, Caramel
Suggested Drinking: Neat
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Parker’s Heritage Collection 11 Year Old
Heaven Hill DistilleryMash Bill: 51% Wheat, 39% Corn, 10% Malted Barley
ABV: 61% | MSRP: $140
Tasting Notes: Honey, Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Gingerbread, Oak, Molasses, Butterscotch
Suggested Drinking: Rock, Water
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Sonoma County Distilling Co. 2nd Chance Wheat Whiskey
Sonoma Distilling CompanyMash Bill: 80% Wheat, 20% Malted Rye
ABV: 46% | MSRP: $60
Tasting Notes: Vanilla, Wheat Grain, Dried Fruit, Roasted Nuts, Citrus, Black Pepper, Ginger
Suggested Drinking: Neat
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Woodford Reserve Wheat Whiskey
Woodford ReserveMash Bill: 52% Wheat, 20% Corn, 20% Malted Barley, 8% Rye
ABV: 45.2% | MSRP: $40
Tasting Notes: Honey, Apple, Pear, Cinnamon, Oak, Vanilla, Brown Sugar
Suggested Drinking: Neat
Selected Wheated Bourbons
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1792 Sweet Wheat
1792 BourbonMash Bill: Undisclosed
ABV: 45.6% | MSRP: $40
Tasting Notes: Vanilla, Cherry, Citrus, Caramel, Nuts, Oak, Leather
Suggested Drinking: Neat
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Larceny Barrel Proof
Heaven Hill DistilleryMash Bill: 68% Corn, 20% Wheat, 12% Malted Barley
ABV: 61% | MSRP: $60
Tasting Notes: Baked Bread, Maple Syrup, Caramel, Oak, Cinnamon, Baking Spices, Chocolate
Suggested Drinking: Rock, Water
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Maker’s Mark Cask Strength
Maker's MarkMash Bill: 70% Corn, 16% Wheat, 14% Malted Barley
ABV: 54.5% | MSRP: $45
Tasting Notes: Caramel, Vanilla, Oak, Cinnamon, Honey, Wheat Grain
Suggested Drinking: Rock, Cocktails
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New Riff Maltster
New Riff DistillingMash Bill: 65% Corn, 18% Malted Wheat, 17% Wheat
ABV: 50% | MSRP: $50
Tasting Notes: Fresh Grains, Dark Bread, Baking Spices, Honey, Vanilla, Oak
Suggested Drinking: Neat, Water
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Old Fitzgerald 15 Year Old Bottled in Bond
Heaven Hill DistilleryMash Bill: 68% Corn, 20% Wheat, 12% Malted Barley
ABV: 50% | MSRP: $150
Tasting Notes: Caramel, Cherry, Brown Sugar, Baking Spices, Leather, Vanilla, Oak
Suggested Drinking: Neat
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Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve 15 Year
Buffalo Trace DistilleryMash Bill: Undisclosed
ABV: 53.5% | MSRP: $120
Tasting Notes: Caramel Corn, Cherry, Vanilla, Oak, Toffee, Baking Spices, Leather
Suggested Drinking: Neat
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Redemption Wheated Bourbon
Redemption WhiskeyMash Bill: 51% Corn, 45% Wheat, 4% Malted Barley
ABV: 45% | MSRP: $50
Tasting Notes: Pears, Roasted Nuts, Toffee, Vanilla, Coffee, Pepper, Baking Spices
Suggested Drinking: Neat
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W.L. Weller 12 Year Old
Buffalo TraceMash Bill: 70% Corn, 16% Wheat, 14% Malted Barley
ABV: 45% | MSRP: $60
Tasting Notes: Caramel, Vanilla, Stone Fruit, Oak, Honey, Baking Spices
Suggested Drinking: Neat
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Wyoming Whiskey Single Barrel
Wyoming WhiskeyMash Bill: Undisclosed
ABV: 48% | MSRP: $95
Tasting Notes: Honey, Plum, Apples, Nuts, Vanilla, Cola, Chocolate
Suggested Drinking: Neat, Rock
Pair Your Wheat Whiskey the Perfect Glass
Select one of our Glass & Grains Exclusive Tumblers to get the most out of your Wheat Whiskey drinking experience.
Neat or with a rock both lend themselves well to the sweet and gentler profiles of Wheat Whiskies.
Wheat Grain Classic Tumbler Whiskey Glass
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