Wilderness Trail Kentucky Straight 6-Year-Old Private Barrel Wheated Bourbon Review
It's not often you get to taste the flavor evolution of one of your favorite products, especially if your favorite hails from a heritage distillery. I've been an early adopter of Wilderness Trail, and the ability to taste - in real time - the arc of one of my favorite brands is incredible.
BOTTLE DETAILS
- DISTILLER: Wilderness Trail Distillery
- MASH BILL: 64% Corn | 24% Wheat | 12% Malted Barley
- AGE: 6 years, 3 months
- YEAR: 2025
- PROOF: 116.1 (58.1%)
- MSRP: $70
- BUY ONLINE: ReserveBar
ERIN'S NOTES
SHARE WITH: Bourbon nerds. Those who have been following Wilderness Trail know it is an incredible product. This would be fantastic in a vertical of earlier releases.
WORTH THE PRICE: Yes. Considering the craftsmanship of every Wilderness Trail product, the more aged product is a delight and a preview of what will come as they release older and older stock.
BOTTLE, BAR OR BUST: Bar. In this economy, anything over $50 requires a taste for me first.
OVERALL: I've been waiting for older whiskies out of Wilderness Trail since I had my first taste of their product. The science-driven team of Dr. Pat and Shane has birthed a distillery that imbues what used to be a grandpapa science ("no chemists allowed" as one famous cigar-smoking bourbon legend once said) into a science science. One in which perfection in flavor is determined by data and science, rather than by touch and feel. And it works.
It's not often you get to taste the flavor evolution of one of your favorite products, especially if your favorite hails from a heritage distillery. I've been an early adopter of Wilderness Trail, and the ability to taste - in real time - the arc of one of my favorite brands is incredible.
The nose is reminiscent of a fall campfire recently extinguished: touches of cold ash, charcoal that blends into an earthy scent of fallen leaves. It evolves into rich caramel, unsweetened blackberry coulis, and ends with faint pear.
The fire ash returns at the beginning of the first sip. The proof is felt at the back of the palate with gentle warming but not harsh burn. The flavor evolves into black walnut, butterscotch, and butter pecan. It's the perfect richness to enjoy with an indulgent dessert or perhaps a cigar.
BRAND NOTES - THE SERIES
Wilderness Trail, the award-winning Kentucky Distillery known for using modern science to optimize old-world distilling traditions, is proud to announce the launch of 6-Year-Old Private Barrel offerings in their single barrel lineup. This marks a notable milestone for the young craft distillery, which was founded only 13 years ago.
The collection features three distinct 6-year-old, single-barrel, cask-strength, non-chill filtered expressions including a Wheated Bourbon, a High-Rye Bourbon, and a Rye Whiskey. Each is meticulously crafted using Wilderness Trail’s Sweet Mash process, proprietary yeast strains, and a Level 4 Alligator Char barrel profile to deliver elevated flavor definition and barrel complexity.
Hand-selected for its distinct character and complexity, each single barrel is a testament to the combination of employing modern fermentation science with traditional Kentucky maturation techniques. Wilderness Trail’s unconventional approach to traditional bourbon-making is crafted for the true whiskey enthusiast looking to explore alternative styles and is best enjoyed neat or on the rocks.
“At six years, our single barrels hit the sweet spot where our sweet mash fermentation and proprietary yeast strains deliver layered complexity without sacrificing balance,” said Dr. Pat Heist, Co-Owner and Chief Scientific Officer of Wilderness Trail Distillery. “The Wheated, High-Rye bourbon, and Rye Whiskey selections let enthusiasts choose between softer high-wheat elegance and the vibrant spice and herbal nuance of rye, each barrel a distinct expression of science meeting tradition.”
BRAND NOTES - THE BOTTLE
Kentucky Straight Wheated Bourbon 6-Year-Old Private Barrel ($70): Bottled at cask strength and featuring a high-wheat mash bill for a uniquely soft and rich flavor, the Wheated Bourbon features a mash bill of 64% corn, 24% wheat, and 12% malted barley using proprietary yeast strains. This is one of Kentucky’s highest wheat ratios, resulting in a softer, more nuanced flavor profile. Aged in #4 char barrels and entered at 110 proof, the tasting profile is characterized by sweet and nutty notes, encompassing vanilla, caramel, butterscotch, and stone fruit. Secondary notes include baking spice, oak, and barrel char.
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.