Whiskey Review: Bernheim Original Kentucky Straight Wheat Whiskey

 

After almost a year of my own journey traveling the American bourbon path, I decided to try something new. So, I dropped by Gary’s Wine & Marketplace on Route 23 in NJ and picked up a bottle of Bernheim Original, a very special American  whiskey. Why special? Because it is the first straight wheat whiskey launched on the U.S. market. The whiskey is aged 5 years and, though it has traditional bourbon characteristics, really breaks the mold in a few nice ways.

Product Type

  • Spirit Type: American Wheat Whiskey
  • Producer: Bernheim
  • Website: www.bernheimwheatwhiskey.com
  • Origin: Kentucky, United States
  • Age: 5 years
  • ABV: 45%
  • Price: ~$45.00
  • Reviewed: neat

Nose: bright, moderately aggressive, with notes of spice, cooked fruit, and bakery notes with a hint of butter.

Taste: medium strength, full body. Notes of vanilla, fruit, nuts, and the bakery notes evident on the nose. The spice has a nice kick that is at once powerful but not overpowering.  Other reviewers have noted that this is a very smooth whiskey, but I think mistake the smoothness of the spirit for a lack of flavor or depth.

Finish: wow — long, full. I pick up some wood and a bit of a charred flavor, but nothing more. Very enjoyable.

Conclusion: this isn’t exactly a cheap bottle of whiskey, but it’s well worth investing in if you have been around the American whiskey block and are looking for something new. The bakery notes make this a memorable whiskey and the spices really reminded me of a few rye whiskeys that I enjoy.

Final grade: B+

Matthias Clock: Brand evangelist, digital marketer, cigar and spirits expert specializing in consumer tasting and educational events. Matthias made the long trek from his hometown of Portland, Oregon to New York City in 2007, and in nine years has hosted more than 120 events and helped promote and launch dozens of cigar and whiskey brands in the U.S. In 2016, he joined the Cigar Journal Tasting Panel, blind-reviewing pre and new release cigars.