Today we are reviewing an old favorite that we haven’t seen for sale in a while or maybe have overlooked, or maybe just forgot about. But we saw Bernheim Original Kentucky Straight Wheat Whiskey for sale the other day and grabbed it. It is named after the old Bernheim Distillery which is now owned and operated by Heaven Hill. Being a wheat whiskey means it needs to have at least 51% wheat in the mash bill.
Bernheim sells for around $30, is aged 7 years, is 90 proof, has a mash bill of 51% wheat, 37% corn, and 12% malted barley, and comes in a plain-looking corked bottle. After a little research, it seems we have been just overlooking Bernheim, because we found it for sale in multiple places.
Joining us today to sample and review Bernheim is Travis. Travis is a friend of ours who likes Bourbon, beer, wine, and loves tequila.
We mentioned above that this is an old favorite of ours but for some reason, it has probably been 5-6 years since we have tasted it. Will this be a fond reunion, or should we have stayed away from Bernheim and enjoyed our memories?
NOSE
Todd: Lots of stuff going on here. Sweet, mellow, nutty nose with hints of tobacco, honey, butterscotch, dates, citrus, and leather. A very good nose.
Matt: Orange and vanilla with hints of honey, brown sugar, and almonds. Ice didn’t add or subtract anything.
Travis: This is a little new to me, usually I just pour a drink over a couple of cubes and then sit back and enjoy and not really think about what it smells or tastes like. Having said that, I do get scents of almonds, caramel, and toast.
TASTE
Todd: A nutty oak taste hits the tongue first. Then lots of secondary flavors including cocoa, butterscotch, vanilla, leather, and citrus. Little better with ice.
Matt: Nothing strong, but I do get a taste of butterscotch, cedar, hazelnuts, vanilla, and an overall fruitiness. Ice toned down the heat, not that it was that hot neat.
Travis: I get the nuttiness and the butterscotch along with hickory.
FINISH
Todd: Medium to medium long with a toasty sweetness.
Matt: Sweet enjoyable finish.
Travis: Med short with more of the same things I got on the taste.
OVERALL
Todd: Good drink, good price. Would buy again.
Matt: Agree, good whiskey for the price although nothing special stands out.
Travis: I liked it as well and would definitely buy a bottle, especially at that price.
Nose 4.25 out of 5
Taste 8 out of 10
Finish 4 out of 5
Total Score 16.25 out of 20 barrels.
Bernheim is at a good price point, has a great nose, and delivers a good taste, if only moderately complex. We are trying to come up with a comparable product at the same price point and having a tough time. It is hard to find much at the $30 price point that has been aged 7 years and tastes this good. Maybe Buffalo Trace or Larceny? If you normally drink Woodford Reserve, which is higher priced, we feel you should give Bernheim Wheat Whiskey a try.
Well, we are glad we saw and bought the bottle, it was a happy reunion, and our fond memories of yesteryear were reinforced. Go buy a bottle and start making your own memories. But don’t drink too much at one sitting, you want to be able to remember those good times.
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