Bernheim Wheat Whiskey Comes of Age at 10 Years

BOTTLE DETAILS

• DISTILLER: Heaven Hill Distillery
• MASH BILL: 51% Wheat | 37% Corn | 12% Malted Barley
• AGE: 10 years
• YEAR: 2026
• PROOF: 115 (57.5%)
• MSRP: $84.99
• BUY ONLINE: To be released nationwide in limited quantities

STEVE'S NOTES

SHARE WITH: All who like whiskey, but especially anyone who's new to wheat whiskey. On more than one occasion, I've heard even experienced whiskey drinkers ask, "Is wheat whiskey the same as, like Maker's Mark?" Clearly, not everyone knows the difference between wheat whiskey and wheated bourbon. Fortunately, there's no better way to learn the difference than by sipping great ones like this 10-year-old Bernheim 115-proof, Star Hill Farms' 2025 release and Middle West Spirits' 2025 release–or the Heaven Hill 19-year-old wheat whiskey released last year for $300.

WORTH THE PRICE: Good question. Here's where Heaven Hill unintentionally creates a comparison dilemma: Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Bourbon and EC Barrel Proof Rye both have MSRPs of $75. Given the option of buying the Bernheim 10 year for $10 more or one of those two, I'm buying the rye on the spot, later the bourbon (I have several of those), and after that, the wheat whiskey. Here's why:

The longstanding value proposition of ECBP Bourbon at that price is impossible to ignore. You know you're going to get a great bourbon. ECBP Bourbon also has multiple decades of credibility among drinkers; they trust it at $75 because it always was fantastic before and at far lower prices. Only now with this bolder, richer release do I believe Bernheim will, over time, begin to earn that same trust with consumers. But at a higher price than ECBP Bourbon? That remains to be seen.

BOTTLE, BAR OR BUST: Bottle. It's the best Bernheim I've ever had. Much as I really enjoyed the 19-year and its fruity-floral delicacies, I dig the broader and deeper barrel influence on this one. I look forward to enjoying this (which celebrates 20 years since Bernheim Wheat was created) over time as it gets poured into my glass and air wriggles into the bottle replace it. I'm confident it will become even more delicious with time.

OVERALL: If "golden" could describe the nose, that would be the word I'd choose since so many things golden–ripe grain, golden raisins, honey, lemon, toasted macadamia nuts, etc.–are easily recognized here. (Yeah, I used "golden" as a descriptor for the 19 year, too, but it bears repeating.) Toasted oak combines with boozy flamed apples and overripe pear to tell me that this will, as prescribed on the Bernheim brand page, make a terrific Bee's Knees cocktail.

It's silken on the palate and serves up waves of dark honey dusted with brown sugar and cinnamon and even a little browned butter. This time it's overripe red apple on the palate, which makes this a little reminiscent of apple brandy. The balance between whiskey and oak is ideal: zero tannin, zero dryness, but a lot of soft spice and depth. That impact alone triggers my preference for it over the 19-year. (And yes, Heaven Hill, I really do save half my 100ml samples for comparison to subsequent releases. It was a treat to taste the 19-year again, though it confirmed my fondness of the 10-year.)

The finish is short and clean, but tingles pleasantly. Were this a 115 proof bourbon, there'd be a much longer train of spice and, possibly, gentle burning on the exit. But not with this. Such a light finish seems to imply the whiskey is leaving room for more tastes, and I'm willing to oblige it.

I'm really glad HH has let Bernheim Wheat Whiskey become this best version of itself–so far. At a distillery with more than 2 million barrels of whiskey resting in 70 rickhouses, I can only imagine older, bolder releases of this are forthcoming. And that should excite any whiskey fan.

BRAND NOTES

The Whiskey opens on the nose with notes of cinnamon and baking spices layered with vanilla and oak. The palate follows with rich flavors of molasses and butterscotch, leading into a peppery finish that lingers with warmth and balance.

Disclaimer: Bourbon & Banter received a sample of this product from the brand for review. We appreciate their willingness to allow us to review their products with no strings attached. Thank you.