If you buy from a link, we may earn a commission. It made my Top 5. For the uninitiated, wheat used as a secondary grain was really pioneered at the old Stitzel-Weller distillery in Louisville, birthplace of the Weller lineup, the Van Winkle lineup, and the Old Fitzgerald Lineup. In the past decade, good brands went from available to allocated and from $15 to $40. Wilderness Trail does not make subpar whiskey. One is labeled recipe B and is 60% corn, 35% rye, and 5% malted barley. Distiller.com uses cookies that are essential for us to operate the website and that are helpful for us to improve the services. . As the bourbon opens up, rye spice emerges along with a pronounced alcohol burn. If you can get your hands on the bottle like the Dutton clan did in season 5 of Yellowstone youll be treated to notes of creamed corn, toasted vanilla and a heavy dose of wheat. It can be a blend of multiple straight bourbon whiskeys as long as they're all produced in the same state. 2020 ModernThirst. The whiskey is NAS, but is believed to be four to eight years old. This bespoke (and admittedly cool-looking) bottle became extremely famous and then extremely expensive in retail. George T Stagg (Some days I prefer it to just about anything) 5. It is based on a mash bill of 77% corn, 10% rye and 13% malted barley. Flavor Profile: Sweet Yes. Charles is a 50-year veteran of the Kentucky distilling industry and his familys history is closely intertwined with Kentucky bourbon. It doesn't sport a fancy age statement, but neither do most Old Forester brands. Four Rosess upgrade over its standard offering blends 180 barrels of four different recipes per bottling. Whether it's the softer flavor imparted by the sweet mash (the vast majority of modern bourbon is sour mashed) or the distiller's proprietary "infusion mashing" process or something else entirely, the result is a wicked, wicked pour. Like in-state rivals Jack Daniel's, the brand is keen to remind drinkers that the two are not the same (even though they kind of are). So lets divide them into two categories: Standard Production and Limited Release. It's dynamic and well worth the $55 sticker price. I have always found a peanut butter note in this bourbon, and that can be incredibly enticing during a blind tasting. I dont collect, so secondary value is so worthless a determination to me that I couldnt even tell you a ballpark value of most bottles. Bourbon always has to be aged in new charred oak barrels at no more than 125 proof (or 62.5 percent alcohol), and it's not allowed to include any additives or colorings. This high percentage makes the whiskey sweet and complex, a great choice for those looking for something inexpensive but rich with flavor. Today, Evan Williams Bourbon is distilled only blocks from the site of his original distillery. I got that message twice this week from readers, and thats not a rarity. It's got a good amount of heat on account of being 117 proof, but you'll still be able to make out classic bourbon tasting notes like caramel, brown sugar, vanilla and oak. The palate carries that spice into peppery territory with hints of oak, vanilla, tart apples, and honey. I presume you could ask em how much their CEO makes and theyd tell you, Minnick says. It's also the first brand. Old Forester 1920 celebrates the Distillery history since 1920 was the year . Dont drink and drive. ABV: 40% A wheated bourbon brand contract distilled at Heaven Hill Distillery, Rebel Yell is owned by Luxco. Its price, proof and age suggest it could be your next home bar staple. The Russel Reserve Single Barrel has a similar aroma and flavor profile. I'd say this is a bit of a draw on the nose. Its essentially a barrel finished bourbon, and that extra spice is a nice kick to an otherwise soft, wheated profile. Flavor Profile: Rich & Full Bodied Old Forester was launched in 1870 by George Garvin Brown and named for Dr. William Forrester, who prescribed bourbon to his patients. The sip leans into the toffee with a subtle dose of cinnamon spice lingering in the background with more of that honeyed corn. This juice is hand-selected to be small batched to match a six-year-old age profile. Old Grand-Dad was a contender for Best Everyday Bourbon. Thats because Barrell is, at this moment, the best blender of American whiskey there is (they have the trophy case to prove it). It can claim to be extremely full flavored thanks to its 115 proof, and its taste profile is like a synthesis of. In addition, Minnick is the editor-in-chief of Bourbon+ Magazine and host on the Spirits Network. Theres a sense of sweet yet slightly bitter tea next to rye spice and a flutter of fresh mint. Theyre also all made in the same distillery (Jim Beam). [CDATA[ This treasure from Buffalo Traces Antique collection does its namesake a service, representing some of the worlds best wheated bourbon, a style Weller himself pioneered. Cheap bourbon isnt always as bottom-shelf as it seems. A leather note emerges and lingers at the end. This mash bill leans more heavily into the rye, creating a solid base for two very closely related bourbons. Age statement in the double digits for $40 or less? That extra time is why the Single Barrel costs three times more than a regular old bottle of Wild Turkey. Just bought a bottle of Larceny and the more I get into the bottle the more Iike it. Knob Creek 12 Year Price: ~$75 Proof: 100 Tasting Notes: Oak, vanilla, marshmallow Distillery: Jim Beam At $30 per bottle, this is an outstanding value for an aged, over-proof, classic bourbon. The taste is sweet and spicy with a hint of herbaceousness. Lets Talk Fermentation and Distillation! Average Price: $40. This is such a dynamic whiskey, Minnick says. Ive had/have 5 of the 8 limited/hard to find editions and they are not worth the effort, schmoozing, and gouging required to obtain. But this blind tasting was not its day. There have been quite a few individual barrels of wheated bourbon released, or reportedly released over they ears. Old Forester Signature Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, NAS, 50% ABV, is the oldest bourbon brand in the US and the first bourbon to be sold in bottle. Its more complex than regular FR, but still drinks easy. I W Harper was widely popular in the 1950s and 60s, and was exported to more than 100 countries around the world. Indeed, some bourbon historians believe that Pappy began as barrel selections of Old Fitzgerald, and was later chosen from hand-picked barrels of W L Weller. On the nose, the whiskey offers sweet caramel and candied cherries, along with a persistent oak note in the background. Over time, the Yellow Label bottle has changed with the label losing the yellow color. A beautiful marzipan note came to life in the blind tasting. Our tester found that the 12-year is a little rough around the edges neat it is meant to be an affordable bourbon, after all but dropping in an ice cube really opens up its sweet wheat side. Theres more of sweetness at play with toffee and vanilla up top. Additionally, BIB whiskey must be bottled at 50% ABV (100 proof). One of the best new whiskeys of recent memory, Stellum is a more affordable Barrell Bourbon. The marrying of the corn with the Christmas-y spices helps usher in a long, warming, and satisfying end that embraces you in a classic Kentucky hug.. Futile efforts to obtain any of the 2nd list has been a waste of time. Regular Old Forester goes into those burnt barrels for another six to nine months. Really young wheat whiskey(4-5 years and younger)can be harsh and almost astringent, while rye-based bourbons tend to have a spicy characteristic that offsets that at a younger age. 72 percent corn, 18 percent rye, ten percent malted barley. Tasting notes include monkey bread aroma and Texas-style Dublin Dr. Pepper, making for one interesting palate. This is the Bottled-In-Bond version of Old Grand-Dad Bourbon, meaning it was all distilled in the same calendar year. Both mash bills are utilized for this bottling. Average Price: $20. That brand was owned for a while by Julian P Pappy Van Winkle, and is considered the inspiration for the Pappy Van Winkle bourbon. On the palate, there is sweetness, candied orange zest, semisweet chocolate, along with cinnamon and cloves. The Bourbon After a pour I found my glass had a dark, rusty amber liquid. On the palate, there is a distinctive honey sweetness accompanied by cinnamon and nutmeg. Its important to note that this was just one taste off, and I am one taster. Makes it easy to see why some newbies often cant tell the difference between some of these bourbons, right? Its 100 proof retains a full body and mixes bonafides without lighting your mouth on fire. The barrels that go into each batch are aged anywhere from 6 to 10 years. Production is limited to 8,600 bottles nationwide, and it sells for $250.Pappy Van Winkle 2022 Lineup: No list of the best bourbons is complete without a mention of Pappy Van Winkle. It's full of flavor and has a bit of an oaky kick to it that pairs well with the sweetness. Its not. It bears no age statement and is bottled at 92 proof. Additionally, Four Roses uses up to five different yeast strains for its bourbons, and all are used here. I walk in and find 15 year old Pappy in a red velvet sack sitting on the shelf for about sixty dollars a bottle. If I tasted this flight again, theres a very good chance Id have different results. Finish: Medium length and warm. Its also worth noting that Wild Turkey had twoWild Turkey 101 and Russells Reservein the running to win it all. Pappy Van Winkles impossible-to-find wheated bourbon has become such a hype monster that other wheated bourbons from Buffalo Traces portfolio have seen their own popularity skyrocket due to their proximity. Henry McKenna Single Barrel, 10 YO, 50% ABV, is bottled by the Heaven Hill distillery. Old Grand-Dad is based on the high-rye bourbon recipe made famous by Basil Hayden its his picture on the bottle. I was more akin to the standard Makers than 46. Great mouth flavors. Here are my rankings the Best Wheated Bourbons in each category. Like plain Rebel Yell for the polical incorrectness of it. The whiskey inside Early Times' wicked affordable Bottled-in-Bond expression is Brown-Forman-made, though, and it has that sweet-and-smooth Basil Hayden's thing going on, just more a more solid boozy backbone with a recurring note of caramel corn throughout. I had always found an over-oaked note here. The McKenna distillery was established in 1855, founded by the noted Irish immigrant distiller. The 1910 was release in 2018, and though it shares the . Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. ABV: 50.5% At 12 years, they become really nice sips, and out towards 20 years, they can still be outstanding whiskey. Thats nuts in todays whiskey world. // < ! Distillery: Buffalo Trace Distillery, Frankfort, KY (Sazerac Company) Its a fantastic bourbon, especially for the money, he says. The finish has a velvet texture that helps it fade fairly slowly while staying warm. The whiskey is produced by. You might notice there isnt a price, proof, tasting notes or distillery information listed on this pick. Retail - $250; . Thats only three fewer years than the Old Fitz above, and its a tenth the price. Get This Headphone Stand, Complete Guide to Buying Boots This Season, You've Never Heard of 2022's Most-Awarded Whiskey, Tasting WhistlePig's New 21-Year-Old Single Malt, The Best New Whiskey Releases of 2023 (So Far), Psst, Pappy Van Winkle Is Doubling Production, How to Build Your Own Bottle of Whiskey Online, Is Fireball Whiskey? Don't tell your bourbon-drinking friends, but Russell's spicy-caramel-and-vanilla-tasting Reserve 10-year-old bourbon is one of the best values in the bourbon world. First, bourbon can only be made in America, and its grain bill must include at least 51 percent of corn. Best I ever had was a couple weeks ago in a Chicago speakeasy the Office. But those whiskeys are cut from the exact same distillation. Early Times had already won a blind tasting with me previously, having captured gold in theBourbon Pursuit blind BIB Showdown. That lower entry proof lends to more flavor from the mash bill (corn, rye and malted barley). I like it. But this victory goes to the sister product of Henry McKenna 10-year-old, which won Best Whisky and Best Bourbon at San Francisco World Spirits Competition, and will compete against McKenna for my Best American Whiskey December 20. Flavor Profile: Sweet & Rich This Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey bears no age statement and is bottled at 90 proof. Distiller Score: 88. There is some alcohol burn, especially on the 114-proof version, along with sweet honey notes, candied citrus zest, brown sugar and that cooked tropical fruits. Flavor is smooth and a bit musty, with hints of vanilla, banana, cinnamon and a dash of charred oak spice providing a bitter note. 2) Sazerac 18 Year Straight Rye This is going to be a controversial choice, but let's talk this through. We don't believe there is one "best" bourbon, but there are bottles that are best for certain moments. The 15 YO version is similar but far richer and complex. Subscribe to his YouTube Channel to watch his Best American Whiskey taste off December 20. In terms of proof and age, I would say they're very close (certainly not over 5 years old). Perhaps thats why it was in the running to win it all. He has conducted various bourbon and whiskey tastings in cities across the country, and consulted for multiple national labels. I was wondering if after several years you had any updates to your Wheated lists ? If you want craft bourbon, we love New Riff's dedication to Bottled-in-Bond whiskey-making and rich flavor profiles. Elmer T Lee (Wish it was still as easy to find as it was a few years ago) 2. Some expressions have a characteristic leather aroma, although this is not true of all of the bottlings. Evan Williams Bottled-in-Bond won the taste for Best Everyday Bourbon. These are two of my favorite daily drinkers both coming in at roughly the same proof, roughly the same price, and both readily available from respected distilleries. It is 115 proof and reminiscent of the style of bourbon distilled by the brand during the prohibition era. In fact, a lot of bourbons are cut from the exact same mash bills (grain recipes), barrels, and even proofs when they start aging. Booker's 25th (Probably gets some subconscious points from knowing it was a one-time release) Now, Top 5 that are fairly available (or sufficiently bunkered): 1. Old Forester 100 proof. Bernheim wheated whiskey a bit harsh imo. It now goes on to compete for Best American Whiskey. In a whiskey market that's become increasingly fragmented and allocated, Knob Creek's classic small batch bourbon distinguishes itself. Sounds like a pretty good reason the move to Kentucky. It didnt make the cut for the finals. Old Forester Birthday Bourbon comes in at #3 on our list of overrated whiskeys. This is Buffalo Traces higher-rye bourbon mash bill even though its not that high comparatively. It's our best overall bourbon not by way of life-altering tasting notes which include marmalade, honey and maple but by stuffing the stat sheet in a way no other bourbon can. You may opt-out by. Thanks for a great article. The Brown-Forman distillery also uses the same mash bill for their premium, high-end market bourbon, Woodford Reserve. Crafted at the Brown-Forman Distillery in Shively, KY. I drink so much Makers with BBQ, he says. Flavor Profile: Sweet Relative to Kentucky, theyve been around for a few days. Don't drink and drive. The mash bill here, made entirely of non-GMO grains, is 65 percent corn, 30 percent rye and 5 percent malted barley. Once everyday, easy-to-find [+] brands are now allocated and outside of the consumer's reach. But the truth is, in a pinch, this is a great sipper. It is a wheated whiskey, that shares a common DNA with Old Fitzgerald and the Pappy wheated bourbons. It has none of the harshness youd expect from a 133.2 proof bourbon, and doesnt undergo chill filtering instead just using light filtration to remove barrel char flakes. Fortunately, we can still fall back on some tried and true value bourbons. I realize you wrote this article a few years back, however it is still relevant. There are obvious exceptions, most related to older rye based bourbons that are bottled at a higher proof such as George T. Stagg. Theyll tell you everything there is to know about their whiskey they dont hide the mash bill, the distillation proof. For something around $30, you get an expertly blended whiskey aged a minimum of 8 years with notes of cherry, orange, almond toffee and oak and bottled at a casual 90 proof. Distiller Score: 80. Head on over to Distiller, or download the app for iOS and Android today! My personal opinion is a little different. That includes retailer specific brands. Theres no way around it, Wild Turkey 101 is great for the money. This is great stuff to sip on after a big holiday meal. Notwithstanding the number of bourbon brands, however, and the veritable explosion in craft producers, now close to 2,000 operating distilleries, over 95% of all of the bourbon made in the United States is produced by 13 large distilleries owned by eight major beverage companies. This one is more of a sipper. But, I seem to head back to the Makers 46 as my go-to bourbon. Dread River Master Series by Eboni Major: Eboni Major is one of the rising stars of the bourbon world. ABV: 43% The whiskey carries no age statement but is believed to be a blend of whiskeys between four and 20 years old. Last year, I tasted a dozen bourbons that were widely available and selected Ezra Brooks 7-year-old Cask Strength. Slightly peppery wheat next to a light fruit, vanilla, and fresh maple syrup greet you. Every product is carefully selected by our editors. The whiskey is produced by Brown-Forman. Sign up for his free drinks newsletter. Old Fitzgerald is a bottled-in-bond wheated bourbon released twice a year by Kentucky's . (Photo by Dixie D. Vereen/For The Washington Post via Getty Images), Celebrate Bottled In Bond Bourbon, The Spirit That Saved American Whiskey, March Is B Corp Month, Here Are 8 Alcohol Brands You Might Not Realize Are Certified, Top Burgundy Wine Producer Talks About Amazing Value Wines That Often Get Overlooked, Whiskey Of The Week: Michters Celebration Sour Mash Is The Ultimate Event Pour, Whisky Review: 50 Year Old Glenfarclas, Bowmore, Cardrona, And More, Hendricks Gin Debuts Flora Adora As New Limited Release, Thinking About Black Wine Business Beyond Black History Month, Whisky Review: Compass Box, Benriach, Tobermory, And More. Larceny and Makers Mark can be viewed as offshoot descendants of that distillery due to the connections the labels have with those original three or connections the distillers had with the principal players in that distillery. But underneath its fundamentals swims a deep sea of factors additional rules and regulations, hype machines and deceptive marketing, false myths and a boom that began in 2008 and is still going strong today that make bourbon more complex than it seems. The brand was resurrected by Diageo in 2015 as both a NAS and a 15 YO version. I bought two. Entry proof is 125 proof/62.5 percent. No need to wait for a special occasion, these are great for any day of the week. And this year the brand got its 9-year age guarantee back, too. On the palate, you have caramel, brown sugar, candied nuts, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, cooked corn sweetness, some mint and a lingering pepperiness. But again, two for the price of one is a bargain. If you come across its charged, barrel-proof older sibling, be sure to pick up a bottle, too.. The bourbon is made by Jim Beam, and retails for around $20 per bottle. The end is rich with a note of toffee and a whisper of salted caramel. This year, as I did last year, I solicited nominations from Bourbon Pursuit listeners, who are an engaged bourbon consumer base that understand what everyday truly means. And the 2014 Parkers Heritage Original Batch Wheat Whiskey really showed what that mash bill is capable of with age and proof. With tasting notes that include butterscotch, toffee, caramel and honey, this is one for the sweet tooths. Buy as much as you can as this price isnt going to last. Price Range: $20 to $30. I am looking forward to trying Old Fitzgerald. The Controversy Explained, Love Buffalo Trace Bourbon? Its mellow balance helped by the prominent caramel notes of its wheated mash bill doesnt overpower meaty flavors. Elijah Craig Small Batch is layered in vanilla and often so soft on the palate. In 2018, Luxco opened Lux Row Distillers in Bardstown, KY so expect the bourbon to be made there in the future. This makes a wonderful sipper or gift to a friend, and since Woodford Reserve is the official bourbon of the Kentucky Derby, you best believe this makes an excellent base to a mint julep with its myriad notes of fruit and spice. If you are interested in exploring the lesser known brands however, and in the process learning a little more about the lore and history of classic bourbon brands, then this list is a good place to start. Old Grand-Dad Bonded Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, NAS, 50% ABV, was the nickname of a distiller named Basil Hayden. The other is recipe E and is 75% corn, 20% rye, and 5% malted barley. Flavor Profile: Vanilla & Sweet Sour Mash: A fermentation technique used by almost all bourbon distillers that employs pre-fermented mash from a previous distilling in a new mash. Rebel Yell has been a registered brand since 1936, although the recipe for the bourbon dates back to 1849. ABV: 40% This is a BETA experience. Maybe I should have bought two cases. Foundation For Advancing Alcohol Responsibility. Although it is more expensive at $88 per bottle, it is a far better value than the $30 NAS version. Thats not to say some of those werent fantastic. Russells Reserve Bourbon, 10 YO, 45% ABV, is produced by Wild Turkey. Old Forester packs a banana note that I thought could dominate the competition if I happened to be in a banana mood.. The juice is a throwback to Colonel Blanton who expanded the distillery in the 20th century and used to handpick barrels for his personal stash in warehouse H. The bottle in-and-of-itself has become a collectors item with the small horse on each cork varying slightly. I almost included Bernheim Wheat Whiskey in this list, since even though its a wheat whiskey, it taste a LOT like a wheated bourbon due to its high corn content. Going in, I didnt give this much of a chance for my palate. Type above and press Enter to search. This is an excellent mixing bourbon to have on hand. I recently did a blind taste test comparing some Wheaters and surprisingly rated Makers 46 as my top pick among Makers Mark, Larceny, Old Weller Antique, and Bernheim (a pure wheat whiskey). Wheaters are my favorites, but I like ryes too. Average Price: $26. Lets end this one with Jims other mash bill. Because its not a hype whiskey, doesnt have a famous name and isnt a limited release, it doesnt get talked about but I challenge you to find a bourbon with this much firepower at the price point.
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