In 2023, Heaven Hill did as soon as once more what it all the time does to its common whiskey traces by releasing a barrel proof model of the product. Bernheim Barrel Proof is launched in batches — twice per 12 months as a substitute of three, the best way Larceny and Elijah Craig are launched — with proof and batch data denoted on the entrance of every label.
In any other case, the music stays the identical. Take the usual 7 12 months outdated Bernheim and simply don’t water it down:
Bernheim Authentic Kentucky Straight Wheat Whiskey is the primary wheat whiskey to make use of winter wheat as its main grain, making a smooth, candy taste. This extension to the Bernheim model delivers the identical acquainted smoothness with much more depth of taste from seven to 9 full years of ageing. Pulled straight from the barrel and bottled with out chill filtration, Bernheim Barrel Proof wheat whiskey in its purest type. Just like the Authentic, Barrel Proof is produced on the namesake Bernheim Distillery in Louisville, Kentucky and aged in Heaven Hill’s rickhouses. Bernheim Barrel Proof shall be a nationally allotted product which shall be launched in batches, twice a 12 months. Every launch can have its personal distinctive batch quantity and proof which is able to range from version to version.
Holding with Heaven Hill’s dedication to custom and high quality, Bernheim Barrel Proof is made with Heaven Hill’s wheat whiskey mashbill which is comprised of 51% wheat, 37% corn, and 12% malted barley. The A223 batch of Barrel Proof is bottled at 118.8 proof or 59.4% by quantity. With a definite nostril of oak staves and contemporary bread, this wheat whiskey has preliminary tasting notes spanning from buttery hints of caramel and honey to the spiciness of cloves. The end is smooth, but complicated with lasting notes of honey and caramel.
“The launch of the Barrel Proof expression of Bernheim Wheat Whiskey is a really thrilling one for Heaven Hill,” says Grasp Distiller Conor O’Driscoll. “We all know this can be a product shoppers need, and we predict this batch has the smoothness they’ll acknowledge from Bernheim Authentic, however with a fair larger depth of taste.”
Bottles of this Bernheim Barrel Proof Kentucky Straight Wheat Whiskey will characteristic the A223 batch quantity prominently on the entrance of every bottle subsequent to the Barrel Proof designation. The letter “A” represents the primary batch of the 12 months. The primary quantity represents the month of the discharge with “2” indicating February. Lastly, the final two digits point out the corresponding 12 months with “23” designating 2023.
We’ve been protecting these releases for the reason that begin. Ongoing evaluations of every launch will attraction right here in chronological order.
Bernheim Barrel Proof Authentic Wheat Whiskey Batch A223 (February 2023) Overview
Spoiler alert: There are few surprises within the combine with this whiskey, and in case you’re in any respect acquainted with Bernheim’s customary expression, you’ll discover loads of the identical components swirling round right here, too. Candy and syrupy on the nostril, this once more drops a vanilla-dusted, Sunday morning pancake breakfast, falling proper in your lap — and whereas they’re actually highly effective, the aromatics are under no circumstances fiery or nostril-burning such as you’d look forward to finding within the typical cask energy whiskey. Brown butter and traces of strawberry turn into evident with a little bit time in glass, however the traditional softness of wheat whiskey is on full show right here.
The palate is even sweeter than I used to be anticipating. Once more, a daring maple syrup high quality is fast, redolent with notes of bananas, candied walnuts, contemporary figs, and loads of gingerbread spice because the end builds. Vanilla and milk chocolate play dueling banjos because the extra fruit- and spice-driven notes fade a bit, and the end hits like a boozy, maple-sweetened milkshake. All all through the expertise, it’s by no means overtly blazing with alcohol, although it positively packs a punch. Add water in case you’d like, however then you definately’re just about again to the 90 proof model.
Wheat whiskey basically is often too candy for my tastes, and that’s positively the case right here, however the added energy of a barrel proof launch helps to present this expression a bit extra nuance and pizzazz whereas giving the sugar one thing to bounce off of. Sure, I wrote pizzazz.
118.8 proof. A- / $65 [BUY IT NOW FROM FROOTBAT]
Bernheim Barrel Proof Authentic Wheat Whiskey Batch B923 (September 2023) Overview
Bernheim all the time tends towards the candy aspect, and B923 is not any exception to the rule, evident on the nostril as a syrupy, maple-infused deal with that candy tooths (candy enamel?) will gravitate to immediately. Ample baking spice offers the whiskey a Christmassy high quality, popping with candied cherries however tempered with only a little bit of char.
No surprises on the palate from my viewpoint: The sweetness endures, although the alcohol could make for a warming expertise, with the complete dessert cart in impact: Vanilla, marshmallow cream, flambeed banana, and loads of maple syrup. Gingery with a spiced fruitcake high quality rising late within the sport, the whiskey even makes room for a dusting of chocolate towards the end. It’s not notably sizzling, and is totally approachable with out water, however a couple of drops of H2O can truly assist to mood a number of the sugar together with the booziness.
I don’t know that this whiskey diverges a lot from A223, nor that Bernheim’s Barrel Proof releases are going to indicate as a lot variance as, say, the Elijah Craig Barrel Proof lineup going ahead. That’s a giant plus in case you’re searching for consistency — however those who purpose to check and distinction a number of vintages might discover themselves twiddling their thumbs a bit.
120.6 proof. A- / $65 [BUY IT NOW FROM FROOTBAT]
Bernheim Barrel Proof Authentic Wheat Whiskey Batch A224 (January 2024) Overview
Perhaps my nostril is dialed down a bit right this moment, however this expression appears much less aggressively candy than earlier bottlings of the Barrel Proof — and the usual launch of Bernheim. That traditional maple character is a part of the equation, however its sugariness is held in examine, leaving ample room for extra cinnamon, black cherry, and a black pepper observe on the nostril.
There’s ample warmth on the palate — that is fairly a bit hotter than final 12 months’s B923 — however it’s manageable. A splash of water doesn’t damage to mood a number of the peppery notes and assist coax out stronger notes of crimson fruit, Asian spices, and extra subdued white pepper notes. Time in glass reveals a stronger vanilla character, with notes of coconut, almond nougat, crystalized ginger, and a lingering milk chocolate character. Most likely my favourite of the three Bernheim Barrel Proof releases to this point — however it’s powerful to place an excessive amount of water on this, so be liberal along with your dosage.
125.2 proof. A- / $65 [BUY IT NOW FROM FROOTBAT]
Bernheim Barrel Proof Authentic Wheat Whiskey Batch B924 (September 2024) Overview
At a comparatively low 61.3% abv, B924 gives a brilliant nostril of almond butter, a contact of lemon, and maple candies — all unfettered by an excessive amount of uncooked alcohol character. With time in glass, the aromas flip virtually floral, although a bit vague.
On the palate, comparable overtones dominate up entrance, although the whiskey strikes shortly right into a fruit-forward character, showcasing apples, raspberry, and cherry. Time in glass helps some extra barrel-driven components come into focus, although the woodsy notes shortly dissolve into candy notes of vanilla and a reprise of maple. By no means syrupy or cloying, the end hits milk chocolate and hazelnut notes, toasted coconut, and a closing reprise of almond.
Probably the greatest — if not the finest — Bernheim Barrel Proof launched to this point.
122.6 proof. A / $65 [BUY IT NOW FROM FROOTBAT]
Bernheim Barrel Proof Authentic Wheat Whiskey Batch A225 (January 2025) Overview
Bready on the nostril, with important overtones of orange flower honey, butterscotch, maple syrup, and a lighter observe of almond. That is extra simple than a few of Bernheim’s earlier expressions, not overly fruity or floral, its sweeter components actually dominating.
The palate doesn’t hand over a lot else — large butterscotch cream, lemon, and a constructing banana character. Vanilla and maple linger, coming throughout like syrup generously utilized to Sunday morning pancakes. There’s a spicy, clove-scented edge to the end, however it’s slight, misplaced amid all of the syrups and sugars that dominate this expertise. Wheat whiskey could be this fashion typically — a bit cloying and mouth-coating — and whereas Bernheim Barrel Proof has had an incredible run up to now, it was type of inevitable that ultimately the sweet store would come knocking.
125.4 proof. B / $65 [BUY IT NOW FROM FROOTBAT]
Bernheim Barrel Proof Authentic Wheat Whiskey Batch C925 (September 2025) Overview
The identify is a typo, imagine it or not: Heaven Hill forgot there are solely two Bernheim releases annually, so relatively than being labeled as B925, this was mistakenly launched as C925. They didn’t return and repair it, which suggests this can be the one “C” Bernheim Barrel Proof launch ever launched.
The nostril is spicier than many prior Bernheim releases, layers of cinnamon and nutmeg backed by black pepper and a few char, giving the aromatics a shocking weight contemplating this whiskey’s historical past. Nutty notes of nougat and butterscotch construct with a little bit of air time, cohesive with what’s come earlier than. All advised, this comes throughout on the nostril extra as a bourbon than a wheat whiskey, for higher or worse.
The palate doesn’t shift gears a lot, although there’s a layer of inexperienced herbs that provides in some notes of sage and dried mint, complementing the denser, extra undulating nostril. Peaks of brown butter and syrup ultimately rear their head, and finally the 2 faces of C925 come collectively, tempering the greener, woodier half of the whiskey with its inevitable, wheat-driven sweetness. Toasty breakfast notes evoking rolled oats and brown sugar give the end a closing burst of the candy stuff, however what caught with me most because the whiskey light away was a mild chunk of toasted corn. Curious.
118.4 proof. A- / $70 [BUY IT NOW FROM FROOTBAT]
Bernheim Barrel Proof Authentic Wheat Whiskey Batch B924 (September 2024)
USD65
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