Bernheim Barrel Proof Wheat Whiskey (Batch A224) Review

Bernheim Barrel Proof Wheat Whiskey (Batch A224) Review

Until 2023, Heaven Hill only released Bernheim Wheat Whiskey at barrel proof on select facility tours. It’s now a product available nationwide, with twice-per-year bottlings. Today, we’re looking at Bernheim Barrel Proof Wheat Whiskey Batch A224.

A quick primer: In this case, “A” denotes the year’s first release, “2” references February as a release month, and “24” is the current year. This year’s first bottling clocks in at 125.2 proof, the highest yet for a national release.

Both the standard, 90-proof and cask-strength Bernheim Wheat Whiskeys are made with a mash bill of 51 percent wheat, 37 percent corn, and 12 percent malted barley. Heaven Hill calls the whiskey “refreshingly smooth” with a “mellow taste.” However, frequent wheat whiskey (and wheated bourbon) fans know there’s much more to the grain than smooth and sweet. Especially at cask strength, wheat-heavy mash bills can carry ample spice unique to the grain, with loads of depth to follow.

Let’s see how the latest Bernheim Barrel Proof offering stands up!

Bernheim Barrel Proof Wheat Whiskey: Stats and Availability

Bernheim Barrel Proof Wheat Whiskey is a relatively recent addition to Heaven Hill’s core lineup. It’s released twice per year and carries a suggested retail price of $65. Anecdotally and from my perspective, this isn’t the most common Heaven Hill bottling to hit the shelves, though the manufacturer hasn’t divulged any specific info on bottle counts.

That said, astute whiskey hunters are likely to be able to find bottles — whether on shelves or online — within a few weeks of the release month, though actual dates will vary among distributors. Even in expensive metropolitan markets, I’m typically seeing these barrel proof bottles at or just slightly above MSRP.

Bernheim Barrel Proof Wheat Whiskey Review

As with all of VinePair’s whiskey reviews, this was tasted in a Glencairn glass and rested for at least five minutes.

Nose

Oak is immediately prominent and leads a chorus line of early, wood-forward scents: cedar, aspen, cherry, mesquite, and apple wood all waft out of the glass in quick succession. Even after a few minutes, the whiskey carries plenty of ethanol heat, edging those wood notes toward tannic and astringent.

More time in the glass yields calmer scents that are much easier to parse. Brown butter and wintergreen are up next, followed by light floral notes of jasmine, thyme, and clove. Burnt orange and lime zest make brief (and frankly refreshing) appearances. There’s also a light honey scent that serves as a sort of final act here; nose deeper, and you detect more and more.

Taste

At first, the latest Bernheim Barrel Proof is far more temperate on the tongue compared to the nose. There’s an instantaneous sensation of melted, unsalted butter, and the mouthfeel is viscous to start but quickly transitions to a much thinner consistency.

Classic and sweet bourbon-esque notes follow: dark caramel, wood sugars, scraped vanilla bean, and cured tobacco. Ample elements of oak showcase how well the wheat whiskey holds age and sweetness in deep, mouthwatering harmony. Here, the “barely legal” mash bill shows striking similarities to some of Heaven Hill’s bourbons. In a blind taste test, this wheat whiskey could fool many drinkers (perhaps including yours truly) into thinking it’s a lower-corn bourbon with significant age.

It’s hardly a “spicy” dram in the traditional sense. But by the midpalate, Bernheim Barrel Proof Batch A224 showcases a wheat-forward spice carried by its 125+ proof. Paired with the spirit’s inherent sweetness, it’s like sipping on a cinnamon sugar donut.

Subtle hints of baked apple and cherry cobbler bring up the rear, adding a touch of welcome tartness. It does a lot to balance out the dominating sweet and woody notes, though even more fruity and sour components could elevate this batch up another rung (or two).

Finish

While the latest batch of Bernheim Wheat Whiskey hits strong strides on the palate, the finish is both shorter and drier than desired. While it doesn’t drink “hot” for its high ABV, Batch A224 benefits from a few drops of water simply to extend and temper the finish. Without a bit of dilution, I found myself almost puckering my lips after a larger sip. This is certainly a whiskey where it’s almost difficult to over-dilute, and don’t be afraid to get a little liberal with that dropper.

Bernheim Barrel Proof Wheat Whiskey Batch A224 Rating

90/100

Recap

Bernheim Barrel Proof Batch A224 is robust on the nose and notably flavorful on the palate. The finish, however, lacks the same complexity; it’s also quite drying. A few (or more, depending on your preference) drops of water per ounce both extend and temper the finish, which improves the overall experience.

While it’s largely priced out of cocktail programs, this is a whiskey I’d absolutely love to try incorporated into mixed drinks. (I’m especially excited to try this in a Kentucky Mule, where the drying quality on the finish could be a real boon.)

It’s also a release many Heaven Hill fans will likely want to seek out and tinker with. And if you’re an especially big fan of cask strength wheat whiskey, at $65, it’s almost too reasonably priced to ignore.

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