With this launch, Heaven Hill does what it all the time does to its well-liked whiskey traces: Releasing a barrel proof model of the product. Bernheim Barrel Proof shall be launched in batches — twice per yr as a substitute of three, the best way Larceny and Elijah Craig are launched — with proof and batch data denoted on the entrance of every label.
In any other case, the track stays the identical. Take the usual 7 yr previous Bernheim and simply don’t water it down:
Bernheim Unique Kentucky Straight Wheat Whiskey is the primary wheat whiskey to make use of winter wheat as its main grain, making a comfortable, candy taste. This extension to the Bernheim model delivers the identical acquainted smoothness with much more depth of taste from seven to 9 full years of ageing. Pulled straight from the barrel and bottled with out chill filtration, Bernheim Barrel Proof wheat whiskey in its purest kind. Just like the Unique, Barrel Proof is produced on the namesake Bernheim Distillery in Louisville, Kentucky and aged in Heaven Hill’s rickhouses. Bernheim Barrel Proof shall be a nationally allotted product which shall be launched in batches, twice a yr. Every launch could have its personal distinctive batch quantity and proof which is able to fluctuate from version to version.
Holding with Heaven Hill’s dedication to custom and high quality, Bernheim Barrel Proof is made with Heaven Hill’s wheat whiskey mashbill which is comprised of 51% wheat, 37% corn, and 12% malted barley. The A223 batch of Barrel Proof is bottled at 118.8 proof or 59.4% by quantity. With a definite nostril of oak staves and contemporary bread, this wheat whiskey has preliminary tasting notes spanning from buttery hints of caramel and honey to the spiciness of cloves. The end is comfortable, but advanced with lasting notes of honey and caramel.
“The launch of the Barrel Proof expression of Bernheim Wheat Whiskey is a really thrilling one for Heaven Hill,” says Grasp Distiller Conor O’Driscoll. “We all know it is a product shoppers need, and we expect this batch has the smoothness they’ll acknowledge from Bernheim Unique, however with a good better depth of taste.”
Bottles of this Bernheim Barrel Proof Kentucky Straight Wheat Whiskey will function the A223 batch quantity prominently on the entrance of every bottle subsequent to the Barrel Proof designation. The letter “A” represents the primary batch of the yr. The primary quantity represents the month of the discharge with “2” indicating February. Lastly, the final two digits point out the corresponding yr with “23” designating 2023.
With that prologue, let’s dive in to the inaugural bottling of Bernheim Barrel Proof.
Spoiler alert: There are few surprises within the combine with this whiskey, and in the event you’re in any respect aware of Bernheim’s commonplace expression, you’ll discover loads of the identical components swirling round right here, too. Candy and syrupy on the nostril, this once more drops a vanilla-dusted, Sunday morning pancake breakfast, falling proper in your lap — and whereas they’re actually highly effective, the aromatics are in no way fiery or nostril-burning such as you’d anticipate finding within the typical cask power whiskey. Brown butter and traces of strawberry turn out to be evident with slightly time in glass, however the traditional softness of wheat whiskey is on full show right here.
The palate is even sweeter than I used to be anticipating. Once more, a daring maple syrup high quality is fast, redolent with notes of bananas, candied walnuts, contemporary figs, and loads of gingerbread spice because the end builds. Vanilla and milk chocolate play dueling banjos because the extra fruit- and spice-driven notes fade a bit, and the end hits like a boozy, maple-sweetened milkshake. All all through the expertise, it’s by no means overtly blazing with alcohol, although it positively packs a punch. Add water in the event you’d like, however then you definitely’re just about again to the 90 proof model.
Wheat whiskey basically is normally too candy for my tastes, and that’s positively the case right here, however the added energy of a barrel proof launch helps to offer this expression a bit extra nuance and pizzazz whereas giving the sugar one thing to bounce off of. Sure, I wrote pizzazz.
118.8 proof.
A- / $65 / bernheimwheatwhiskey.com
Bernheim Barrel Proof Unique Wheat Whiskey Batch A223 (February 2023)
$65
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