Holladay 6 Year Soft Red Wheat Rickhouse Proof Bourbon

Another bourbon with wheat? I'm happy to try it! An exploration of soft red wheat whiskey. Get ready, because a fantastic wheated bourbon has been created by Holladay Distillery in Weston, Missouri. This excellent bottle comes from McCormick Distilling Co., who managed to make a spirit that is both smooth and potent. This is the Soft Red Wheat Rickhouse Proof Bourbon. It has a strong 59.9% ABV, which is 119.8 proof. Don't let the high proof intimidate you; it's not harsh but rather a pleasant, sweet flavor. Wheat is planted in the fall and adds a smoother, sweeter taste to spirits. It makes up 76% of this bourbon's mash bill. The remaining 12% rye and 12% malted barley add spice and complexity, like a well-balanced musical group. The nose immediately hits you with warm toffee, brown sugar, and subtle oak, reminiscent of freshly baked pecan rolls on a cool morning. You know it will be good. On the palate, this wheated bourbon is rich and smooth like molasses over cornbread. Baking spices mingle with vanilla and a hint of dried fruit. It is full-bodied and refined, yet assertive. The finish lingers with cinnamon, black pepper, and a touch of sweet oak, like the final notes of a southern song. It stays with you like a pleasant autumn evening. This whiskey was distilled in the fall of 2017 and aged for over 6 years in Rickhouse C. Part of it, 36%, came from the cooler third floor, and 64% came from the warmer fourth floor. This blend creates a bourbon that perfectly balances different maturation influences. Bottled in April 2024, this wheated bourbon expertly combines strength and refinement. It is truly delicious. This is an amazing wheated bourbon. It's a great choice for a special occasion or just to unwind after a long day. Don't overlook Holladay; they are doing excellent work in Missouri. If you enjoy this, please like, comment, share, and subscribe for more bourbon reviews. Cheers, and may your next drink be just as wheated and wonderful!

Sharp grain, spicy cinnamon, bright cherry, artificial vanilla, white pepper, orange peel, minimal oak presence, and strong alcohol on the nose. The palate is hot with young grain, medicinal cherry, white grape, freshly cut grass, white pepper, and Red Hots. The finish is medium, featuring sharp, bitter grain, artificial vanilla, cracked peppercorn, dry cinnamon, musty hay, and a strong alcohol burn. I intended to share my thoughts sooner to help others save money. This is truly awful. It's all sharp, young, hot grain with very little flavor beyond artificial cherry and cinnamon. I initially mistook it for the new Rickhouse Proof rye bourbon that online reviewers were praising, unaware they also offered a wheated bourbon. This also received favorable reviews, so I wasn't disappointed leaving the store. However, it's a weak imitation of Maker's Mark Cask Strength, costing nearly twice as much. They are nowhere near each other in terms of flavor; MM CS is more sophisticated, sweeter, and has a more pleasant cherry note. I could go to the store now and get the 375 mL gift set of MM 46 CS and a private select for $45. For $80, this is a terrible purchase. It's among the worst wheated bourbons I've ever sampled.

A mellow, red wheat bourbon. Aged six years in new charred oak casks within Rickhouse B, floor 4 (47%), Rickhouse C, floor 3 (17%), and floor 5 (36%). Bottled in October 2024 at its rickhouse strength (60.75% ABV, 121.5 proof), consumed neat. Its aroma carries spice with underlying warm wood and a sweet grain character. The palate offers honey, cherry, and warm baking spices, followed by dry oak tannins and an ethanol bloom. The texture begins thin but gains body towards the conclusion. The finish is grassy and spicy, with dry charred oak tannins over a light sugar sweetness and a hint of sour cherry, lasting an average duration. This producer is excelling—crafting and aging their own distillate from local grains for six years. They use attractive embossed bottles with metal screw caps and vintage-style labels, noting the specific rickhouse and floor for each bottle's barrels, and release either BIB or at rickhouse proof. I previously sampled the BIB soft red wheat bourbon and find this higher proof version comparable but more engaging. Eager to try their standard offerings.

NEAT NOSE - Cherries, Raspberry, Honey, Caramel, Sweet Oak PALATE - Bold and Rich with a thick mouthfeel. This, interestingly, is a honey/caramel powerhouse. The palate begins with honey and caramel, complemented by the faintest hints of berries and cherries. Finally, on the finish, the caramel predominantly returns to the forefront, supported by some sweet oak. FINISH - Decent/moderate. Certainly sweet. BUY? - Absolutely. Support independent distilleries, especially those producing quality bourbon. I eagerly anticipate experiencing this with more aging. BUY AGAIN? - While I would readily purchase this again, I'm keen to see how it develops with further aging. Compared to something like Weller FP, this offers more honey and caramel sweetness/richness, whereas Weller FP has more raspberry cherry sweetness and is brighter. That being said, this stands out exceptionally on its own.

The aroma of this one is gentle and floral, with hints of grain. Even though this is rickhouse proof, the smell isn't overwhelming. The taste brings grain notes, with spices, but not as much intensity as the Straight Bourbon Whiskey Rickhouse Proof. There's a little heat, but I believe the sweetness from the wheat helps to mellow it somewhat. The finish is lengthy, with a bit of a burn. With a little water, I detect some berries (?) and cherry cola-like notes in the aroma, but the taste has more grain and nutty flavors. I think more grain/oatmeal notes, and the finish is gentle and medium. I approve of this one.

I visited Holladay and thoroughly enjoyed it! The history and the Bourbon are both very rich! Ownership has changed hands multiple times and it has partially returned to the family. It's a beautiful location too! After the visit and tasting, I selected this one to bring home. It has a beautiful dark caramel color. Nose - charred oak, sugar cookie, sweet alcohol Palate - sugar cookies, vanilla cake, smoky oak, pepper, cinnamon finish. This presents an interesting flavor profile, incorporating a bit of smokiness into a Bourbon, which is uncommon. I appreciate that! It's slightly rough around the edges, but very good overall. Cheers!