03-07-2025
America's Top Wheated Bourbons And Whiskeys: Smooth, Bold, & Affordab
Glass of whiskey and wheat ears. getty
Wheated whiskeys are among the fastest-growing segments of the American whiskey market. Wheated bourbons, in particular, driven by the cult status of brands like Pappy Van Winkle and W. L Weller, are incredibly popular. Below is an overview of a selection of award-winning wheated bourbons and wheated whiskeys, along with tasting notes.
A bourbon mash bill must contain at least 50.1% corn. The corn content can range from 50% to 80%. The rest consists of other cereal grains. Typically, in bourbon, the mash bill includes a small amount of malted barley, usually less than 10%, with the remainder consisting of rye, wheat, or a combination of both. Sometimes, the mash bill may incorporate more exotic grains.
There is no official legal definition of a wheated bourbon. A mash bill with 15% or more wheat qualifies the whiskey as a wheated bourbon. The bourbons listed below have wheat contents ranging from 15% to 45%.
Wheated whiskey, on the other hand, requires 50% or more of the mash bill to be wheat. Historically, whiskeys made entirely from wheat were typically bland and were used for blending with other, more flavorful whiskeys. In Canada, for example, wheat whiskies were often blended with rye whisky to enhance their flavor. In Scotland, blended Scotch whisky consisted of blends of grain whisky with various single malt whiskies.
The addition of wheat to a mash bill significantly shapes the aroma, flavor, and texture of the whiskey. Wheat softens the profile, contributing mellow, rounded, and sweeter tones. It also enhances sweetness, allowing notes like honey, vanilla, and caramel to shine more prominently.
Wheat also accentuates the whiskey's creaminess, creating a smoother, silkier mouthfeel and contributing a sense of 'breadiness' or pastry dough. Finally, wheat's gentle nature means it doesn't compete with barrel influences. Flavors such as toasted oak, vanilla, and mild spice from aging become more expressive in wheated whiskeys.
The Buffalo Trace Distillery Photo, courtesy Buffalo Trace Distillery
The mash bill for Buffalo Trace's wheated bourbon is undisclosed, but it's believed to be 70% corn, 16% wheat, and 14% malted barley. This is likely the same mash bill as the Pappy Van Winkle and W.L. Weller expressions.
The Kosher Wheat Bourbon is aged in different warehouse locations and, at seven years, is generally younger than the Van Winkle and Weller expressions. It also sells at a fraction of the price of the other expressions.
The whiskey features caramel, apple, honey, and marshmallow on the nose. The palate is smooth and flavorful, showcasing citrus, dried fruit, cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla. The finish is medium length and sweet, with lingering notes of cocoa and seasoned oak. Larceny Small Batch Bourbon, 46% ABV, 750 ml. $27
Heaven Hill produces the whisky from a mash bill of 68% corn, 20% wheat, and 12% malted barley.
The whiskey presents notes of buttered wheat toast and caramel on the nose. The palate showcases toffee, orange zest, and baking spice. The finish is long and sweet with a hint of seasoned oak. Wilderness Trail Bottled-in-Bond Wheated Bourbon, 50% ABV, 750 ml. $54
Kentucky-based Wilderness Trail fashions this whiskey from a mash bill of 64% corn, 24% wheat, and 12% malted barley.
The bourbon features fresh-baked bread and vanilla on the nose. The palate showcases notes of honey, cinnamon, clove, and light oak. The finish is long and balanced, with lingering notes of spice. Redemption Wheated Bourbon, 48% ABV, 750 ml. $47
This is a sourced whiskey, bottled for Redemption by Bardstown Bourbon Co. The mash bill is 51% corn, 45% wheat, and 4% malted barley, giving the whiskey one of the highest percentages of wheat among bourbons.
Toasted oak, mocha, hazelnut, and coffee are featured on the nose. The palate showcases caramel, nuts, and assorted wood spices, leading to a medium-length, cocoa-laced finish. American Freedom Distillery 'Horse Soldier' Signature Small Batch Bourbon Whiskey, 47.5% ABV, 750 ml. $70
The whiskey's mash bill consists of 70% corn, 20% wheat, and 10% barley.
Vanilla, cherry, and ginger are featured on the nose. The palate showcases notes of caramel, cinnamon, and dark dried fruit. The finish is long and bold, with lingering notes of wood and barrel spice.
Loretto, Ky, United States - October 21, 2016: Maker's Mark Distillery sign on stone wall at entrance facility. getty Maker's Mark, Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, 45% ABV, 750 ml. $32
Maker's Mark utilizes the same mash bill as Pappy Van Winkle. According to industry lore, it was Julian Van Winkle who offered the recipe to Bill Samuels. The whiskeys taste differently, however, because the mashing and aging protocols differ.
The whiskey features vanilla, caramel, and cream on the nose. The palate showcases honey, toast, and wood spices. The finish is medium in length and smooth, with lingering notes of vanilla and caramel.
See also the recently released Star Hill Farms Wheat Whiskey from Maker's Mark. It's a blend of two mash bills: 70% red winter wheat and 30% malted barley, and 100% red winter wheat. Old Fitzgerald Prime Bourbon Whiskey, 40% ABV, 750 ml. $20
Old Fitzgerald is another Heaven Hill whiskey. It utilizes the standard Heaven Hill wheated mash bill, comprising 68% corn, 20% wheat, and 12% malted barley.
The nose features vanilla and seasoned oak. The palate features light caramel, nutmeg, and cinnamon. The finish is long and smooth with lingering spice notes. Two Souls Spirits Wheated Bourbon, 63.85% ABV, 750 ml. $125
J Carver Distillery in Minnesota produces this Two Souls Spirits whiskey. The mash bill is not disclosed, but it is believed to be a high-corn, high-wheat mash bill.
The whiskey presents notes of vanilla, sweet honey, seasoned oak, and subtle cooked grain on both the nose and palate. The finish is long, with lingering notes of spice and wheat toast. Nelson's Green Brier Tennessee Whiskey, 45.5% ABV, 750 ml. $35
Although classified as a Tennessee whiskey because it undergoes the Lincoln County charcoal filtration process, the whiskey also meets the criteria of a bourbon. The mash bill is 70% corn, 16% wheat, and 14% malted barley.
The whiskey features honeyed wheat toast and orchard fruit. It's smooth on the palate, showcasing notes of vanilla and seasoned oak. The charcoal filtration gives the whisky a sweet, clean finish. Wheated Whiskeys You Should Try Bernheim Original Wheat Whiskey, 7 YO, 45% ABV, 750 ml. $36
Another Heaven Hill whiskey, this expression utilizes a mash bill of 51% wheat, 39% corn, and 10% malted barley.
The whiskey features notes of roasted grain and almond. The palate showcases bread pudding, honey, and nutmeg. The finish is long and sweet, with lingering notes of pepper and seasoned oak. This expression is the most bourbon-like of all the wheated whiskeys. Dry Fly Straight Washington Wheat Whiskey, 45% ABV, 750 ml $43
Dry Fly Distilling is based in Spokane, Washington. It bottles a range of wheated whiskeys, based on a 100% wheat mash bill.
The whiskey features licorice, toasted grain, and citrus. The palate showcases notes of maple syrup, fresh herbs, and earthy undertones. The finish is long and slightly smoky with lingering fruit and spice notes.
Wooden bourbon barrels stacked up and aging in a rickhouse in Kentucky getty Dry Fly Cask Strength Wheat Whiskey, 60% ABV, 750 ml. $58
This is a higher proof, more intensely flavored version of the Straight expression. It features buttery caramel, custard, and cinnamon on the nose. The palate showcases honey, spiced cake, and nutmeg. The finish is long and flavorful, with lingering notes of vanilla and black pepper. Dry Fly 3 YO Port-Finished Wheat Whiskey, 45% ABV, 750 ml. $43
This port cask-finished wheat whiskey features aromas of tangerine, vanilla, and cinnamon. The palate showcases burnt orange, pepper, and oak. The finish is long and spicy, with lingering notes of butterscotch and orange zest. Old Elk Double Wheat, 53.55% ABV, 750 ml. $102
Colorado-based Old Elk fashions its whiskey from a mash bill of 71.5% wheat, 25% corn, and 3.5% malted barley.
The whiskey features aromas of coffee cake, pretzel dough, and marshmallow. Caramel, graham cracker, and spice are showcased on the palate. The finish is long, with lingering notes of cinnamon buns. Old Elk Straight Wheat Whiskey, 50% ABV, 750 ml. $74
This whiskey is fashioned from a mash bill of 95% soft red winter wheat and 5% malted barley.
The nose features aromas of caramel and light vanilla. It's creamy on the palate, with citrus and sweet spices.
Whether you're drawn to the smooth, creamy texture of wheated bourbons or the mellow elegance of wheat whiskeys, these bottles deliver big flavor without breaking the bank. The bourbons are accessible, affordable, and crowd-pleasing, while the wheated whiskeys offer a wider stylistic range, from bourbon-like depth to ultra-soft subtlety. If you're a fan of the style, this is just the beginning. There's a whole world of wheat-based whiskeys waiting to be explored. More From Forbes Forbes Want Alternatives To Pappy And Weller? 10 Top-Ranked Wheated Bourbons By Joseph V Micallef Forbes The World's Best Wheated Bourbon, According To The San Francisco World Spirits Competition By Joseph V Micallef Forbes The World's Best Bourbon, According To The London Spirits Competition By Joseph V Micallef
