13 Best Wheated Bourbons That Are Delightful To Drink

Wheated bourbon has grown in popularity among whisky connoisseurs as a class of bourbon because of its smooth and mellow flavor character. This article delves into the world of wheated bourbons, from their qualities and history to their alcohol content.

We’ll also go through popular brands, tasting notes, and flavor profiles, as well as make suggestions for the best wheated bourbons in various price ranges that you must try. So raise a glass and join us as we explore these top wheated bourbons.

List of the Best Wheated Bourbons That You Need to Sip:

1. WL Weller Special Reserve

W.L. Weller is a wheated bourbon bottled at 90 proof that was made by the Stitzel-Weller Distilling Company. It’s not incredibly thin, but not too heavy on the palate as well. Fun fact: WL Weller Special Reserve and Pappy Van Winkle use the identical mash bill formula. Because of its gentler flavor characteristics, this bourbon is ideal for sipping or mixing into cocktails.

Weller Special Reserve has a delicate and flowery scent, which is ideal for a hot bourbon. It’s well-aged yet light—no harshness and plenty of nice crisp flavors—ideal for sipping.

The bourbon offers a lot of sweetness on the palate, with flavors like honey, caramel, vanilla, and mild fruit. Overall, this is one of the greatest wheated bourbons you may drink.

Suggested Read: Best Scotch Whiskies Under $100 To Drink

2. Maker’s Mark Cask Strength Bourbon Whiskey

Maker’s Mark has a long history of craftsmanship and innovation, dating back to 1953 when Bill Samuels Sr. created the original recipe using a bread-baking experiment. Since then, it has become one of the most popular wheated bourbons in the world, with a loyal fan base and a reputation for quality.

Unlike the Maker’s Mark Rye bourbon, this wheated rendition was made with red winter wheat on the mash, so the flavors of baking spices, stone fruit, honey, and vanilla shine through.

While the brand’s ordinary version is popular and readily accessible, the Cask Strength version offers a bolder showcase of all that the Kentucky classic has to offer.

3. Redemption Wheated Bourbon

Given Redemption’s reputation for rye bourbons, it’s surprising to see them create a wheated alternative, especially given how incredible this spirit is. This wheated bourbon is roughly four years old and comprises 45% wheat in the formula, which is greater than most of its competitors.

This adds delicate, sweet flavors to the tongue, making it an excellent starting point for those unfamiliar with this kind of bourbon.

This wheated bourbon is bottled at 96 proof with floral, vanilla and walnut notes, and a score of 91 (outstanding) at the 2019 Ultimate Spirits Challenge.

4. Larceny Wheated Bourbon

Larceny Wheated Bourbon is like a smooth criminal when it comes to best-wheated bourbon. It is made by Heaven Hill, a distillery that produces some of the most famous brands of bourbon in the world.

Larceny uses wheat instead of rye as its secondary grain, giving it a sweeter and softer flavor profile. To honor “Old Fitz,” they chose to release Larceny as an homage to the wheated bourbons that came before it — including the original Pappy recipe.

While they are keeping their formula under wraps, they have revealed that Larceny contains around 1/3 more wheat than its competitors. This means that, while this wheated bourbon whisky has lots of spice and a kick at 92 percent, it’s also a little smoother than similarly priced competitors.

Also Read: Best Scotch Under $150 That You Must Try

5. New Riff Red Turkey Wheated Bourbon

This wheated New Riff is made with 25% red Turkey wheat, 70% corn and 5% malted barley. A limited edition release that showcases the flavor of an heirloom grain and is aged for over five years in virgin American oak barrels.

Red Turkey Wheat is a 19th-century varietal that has more protein and less starch than modern wheat, resulting in a richer and zestier taste. The result is a smooth and complex bourbon that balances grainy, and bready notes with dark fruits, citrus, and oak.

Bottled in bond at 100 proof, you’ll sense notes like caramel and chocolate smells mingling with cooked cherries and candied orange peel.

6. Garrison Brothers Small Batch

This award-winning whisky is created from organic maize and wheat cultivated on a Texas family ranch. The master distiller, who meticulously picks the best barrels for each batch, hand-numbers and signs each bottle.

The hot Texas heat, interspersed with occasional colder days, allows the bourbon to truly soak up flavors from the wood. This handmade wheated bourbon showcases how a small business can produce something with enormous flavor.

In fact, Garrison Brothers Texas Straight Bourbon Whisky, along with Pappy, maybe the most sought-after wheated bourbon on the market.

7. Pappy Van Winkle

Pappy is a super rare, high-priced wheated bourbon whisky that you can add to your wishlist. This legendary whiskey is so rare and delicious that people pay thousands of dollars for a bottle.

Their wheated recipe is unknown since Pappy refused to provide it to the public, but that doesn’t change the fact that it’s the unicorn of wheated bourbon.

Pappy Van Winkle was a guy who dedicated his life to crafting good whisky, even during prohibition. Although he died in 1965, his bourbon is still produced at the Buffalo Trace Distillery by his family. This bourbon is matured for up to 23 years before being bottled at full strength. It’s a whisky deserving of its hype, but not everyone can afford it.

8. 1792 Sweet Wheat Bourbon

You can’t go wrong with 1792 Sweet Wheat whisky if you want a smooth and sweet wheated bourbon. This bourbon is brewed using wheat rather than rye, which results in a smoother, sweeter flavor that is easier to drink.

This is the first wheated bourbon to be released by 1792, and as the name suggests, it is on the sweeter side of the spectrum, with notes of vanilla and caramel, as well as faint flavors of dried fruit.

However, the sweetness is offset by an abundance of oak tannins, which serves to round it out. The USP of this wheated bourbon is that it’s easy to drink and the price point is perfect.

9. Wyoming Whiskey Small Batch

This award-winning bourbon is crafted from locally sourced ingredients and matured in 53-gallon barrels, with wheat serving as the secondary grain. Wyoming Whisky Small Batch is as wonderful as any wheated bourbon from well-known distilleries like Heaven Hill, Buffalo Trace, and others.

One of the best wheated bourbons made in small amounts with a wheated mash bill, and it’s every bit as tasty as any bottle from a larger distillery.

This bourbon goes well with cocktails like the Old Fashioned, Manhattan, Boulevardier, and others.

10. Traverse City Whiskey

This Michigan-based company uses local ingredients and traditional methods to craft its award-winning spirits. Traverse City Whisky caters to both rye and wheat whisky enthusiasts, with all categories available.

Aside from the rye, this wheated bourbon is surely intriguing. The moderate sweetness is similar to 1792 Sweet Wheat, although the floral overtones in this whisky are stronger.

Furthermore, the citrus-orange note is more savory than Journeyman’s wheat, and the bottle just looks a bit too much inspired from the sherry barrels.

11. Whistlepig Homestock

Whistlepig Homestock is an unusual blend of 45% rye whiskey, 30% wheat whiskey, and 25% single malt.

It is a unique and exciting whiskey that was created by the fans of WhistlePig, a renowned rye whiskey maker.

It has a moderate sharpness from notes of hemp rope and clove, but it’s never overpowering. It’s a whiskey that celebrates the spirit of community and creativity during challenging times.

12. Jefferson’s Ocean Wheated

This is a special edition of Jefferson’s bourbon that is aged at sea, where it travels across the world and experiences different climates and temperatures. This is the brand’s only wheated bourbon, and it’s an intriguing one.

After four years of typical ageing, the barrels are placed aboard a cargo ship and set sail across the world.

The goal here is for the sea’s motion to generate greater contact between the whisky and the wood, and for the salt air to infiltrate the whisky and impart flavor.

13. Old Fitzgerald Bottled in Bond

Old Fitzgerald is made with wheat instead of rye, which makes it sweeter and softer than other bourbons. Heaven Hill Distillery in Kentucky produces this bottled-in-bond wheated bourbon, twice a year.

This indicates it’s 100 proof and at least four years old, among other requirements. The delicious scent of brown sugar and butterscotch is immediately noticeable as soon as you put your nose to it. The finish is velvety, with notes of leather, vanilla, and wood.

Most places will have this wheated bourbon scotch for at least $300-$500, however, this is a wonderful wheated bourbon if you want to indulge a little.

Also Read: Best Scotch Under $200 For You To Drink

FAQs

1. What makes wheated bourbon different from traditional bourbon?

Wheated bourbon is distinguished by the use of wheat as the secondary grain in its mash bill rather than rye. When opposed to the spicier and more robust conventional bourbon, this replacement produces a smoother and sweeter flavor profile.

2. How should I pair wheated bourbon with food?

Wheated bourbon goes nicely with a wide range of dishes. Caramel-forward bourbons can compliment sweets, whilst spicy wheated bourbons can suit grilled meats or aged cheeses. It’s all about identifying flavor combinations that work together to produce a delicious culinary experience.

3. Can wheated bourbon be aged and collected?

Yes, you may age and collect wheated bourbon. Some fans love aging their wheated bourbons to see how the flavors change over time. Proper storage conditions are critical for keeping the whiskey’s integrity.

4. Is Pappy a wheated bourbon?

Yes, Pappy is a wheated bourbon, which means that wheat is used as a secondary flavoring grain in the mash bill rather than the more frequent rye.

Last Thoughts

Wheated bourbon is an enthralling introduction to the world of bourbon whisky. Its smoothness, richness, and distinct flavor profile make it a favorite among whisky connoisseurs. Wheated bourbon is a wonderful and approachable experience, whether you’re a seasoned bourbon enthusiast or just starting to explore the world of whisky.

It has something for everyone, from its history and production method to taste notes, culinary combinations, and cocktail concoctions.

We hope you had fun exploring these best wheated bourbon whiskies. Cheers!

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