Bernheim Barrel Proof Wheat Whiskey A223

BERNHEIM BP(A223) 118.8 NOSE: Dark & Rich. Brown Sugar, Barrelwood, Cedar, Puffed Wheat or Honey Smacks Cereal, and Honeysuckle. NEAT: Surprisingly easy to drink for 118 proof. Similar to the aroma, it's Dark & Rich. The initial taste is Sweet Oak, Caramel, Chocolate, Brown Sugar, Honey, and Berries. The back of the palate reveals Barnyard, Wheat, and Cinnamon Discs. It has a decent buttery texture with a building warmth that coats the cheeks and gums with a layered, sweet, and slightly musty oak. SPLASH: A bit of water introduces Leather to the aroma and taste. It adds a tingling peppery spice to the finish. VERDICT: I anticipated sweetness, but this is a Dark, Decadent Dessert in a glass. In the Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond lineup, I'd rank this second, behind the Elijah Craig Barrel Proof and significantly ahead of the two Larceny Barrel Proofs I've sampled. Good value for $65; I'll definitely be buying it again. Well done, Heaven Hill.

Opened for 1 year Aroma - Savory cinnamon bun, toasted marshmallow, white pepper, black cherry, barrel char, and strong ethanol. Taste - Gingerbread that someone forgot to sweeten, cinnamon stick, maple, medicinal cherry, peach, and clove. The finish is medium-long with hot, spicy oak and cinnamon, red cherry flavoring, fresh bread, and strong ethanol. This has just been sitting on my shelf for a year. There's nothing terrible about it, but it's not something I enjoy drinking. I love Elijah Craig Barrel Proof, but Larceny and now this are misses for my palate. I've never been fond of any of the wheated bourbons from Heaven Hill, including the sourced products for Lux Row. I doubt I'll ever buy those products again; Maker's Mark and Buffalo Trace produce much better wheated bourbons.

The aroma is mellow with a hint of spice and notes of vanilla and cherry mingling. Dry oak supports the composition, and as it airs out, sweeter notes become more apparent. It strongly presents as wheat, yet it feels milder than its stated proof suggests. The taste is sharp and zesty, with oak and baking spices creating a lively sensation in the mouth, followed by cherry notes. A certain roughness unbalanced this spirit. It's primarily driven by heat and spice, with only faint supporting flavors in the background that are overshadowed. The finish is of medium length with lingering oak that is quite pleasing, though it doesn't make you eager for another drink.

A high, refined, tight aroma with abundant caramel, oak, and a mellow wheat scent. Ultra-smooth entry on the palate with a wonderful sweetness that carries a powerhouse of flavor thanks to the nearly 60% ABV. The flavors are cohesive and somewhat delicate, with notes of milk caramel, sourdough toast, apple compote, nut bread, and a penetrating oakiness. Adding a splash of water opens things up for a more welcoming greeting on the tongue while maintaining their integration. The finish is quite long with woody notes leading the way. We highly recommend this new expression for enthusiasts of wheat-based whiskies.

Color: Auburn hue, thin and watery. Nose: Sugary, notes of caramel, hints of bubble gum. Simply an overwhelming amount of sweetness on the aroma. Taste: Sweet, abundant caramel, if tasted without knowing, I would have guessed it was bourbon. Finish: Not much to remark on here. The alcohol content is noticeable, but nothing else. Overall: I consider this a fantastic addition to the HH barrel proof lineup. While wheat whiskey isn't usually my preference, this drinks much more like a pleasant wheated bourbon.

A top-tier wheat whiskey for me. It's incredibly rich, potent, and sweet. It's like a blend of a high-proof bourbon and wheat. Seriously, distribute this one more widely!