Today’s tasting is another one of our favorites. Bernheim, it is one of the very few wheated whiskeys out there. To be a wheat whiskey, the distiller follows all the rules governing Bourbon, but instead of at least 51% corn, it has to have 51% wheat.
This is different from a ‘wheated’ Bourbon like Weller’s, Pappy, or even Maker’s Mark. They still have at least 51% corn, they have just replaced the rye with wheat as the secondary ingredient. So the main ingredient in Bernheim is wheat. This gives it a lighter color as well as a lighter taste.
Bernheim comes in a corked bottle, 90 proof and has been aged 7 years. The 750ml goes for around $30.00, and while available, it might not be in every store.
Todd: Has a nice aroma of butterscotch, chocolate, and a fruit that I later nailed down as apricot. Also got a nice nose of some honey and wood.
Bernheim has a light, sweet, mellow taste that is not overly complex. which is somewhat strange when compared to the nose. It also drinks like a lower proof.
It has a buttery finish along with some grain.
Overall this is dangerously drinkable.
Ron: Bernheim has a very interesting nose of the usual suspects, oak, caramel, and vanilla. But I could also detect a subtle hint of some floral undertones.
On tasting I detected all the aromas as well as a little citrus and maybe even a little coffee?
Has a nice smooth finish that does not burn even when enjoyed neat.
Overall, not real complex, but damn, is it good!
Nose—-4.5 out of 5
Taste—9 out of 10
Finish—3.5 out of 5
Total———17 out of 20 barrels.
Well, as you can see, we really liked Bernheim Original. It was good neat, with a little ice or water, even though it needed neither. This would be a good one to use whiskey stones if you like your drink chilled.
It made a fine cocktail, not the best, seemed almost a waste to use it that way. We think it is just too light for that.
Last word, this makes a great addition to anyone’s cabinet. We like to have different styles on hand, and this fits the bill. It is not overpriced and even a novice whiskey drinker can tell something is different about this one.