Ragged Branch Wheated Bourbon Bottled In Bond

I recently visited the distillery in Charlottesville, VA. I sampled three of their bourbons, and the Wheated Bourbon stood out. I purchased a bottle... Color: Medium-Dark Amber. Aroma: prune (fig?), molasses, vanilla beans, faint alcohol and oak. Taste (with an ice cube): Very little burn. The 'prune' or 'fig' notes from the aroma carry over to the taste. I appreciate when the aroma delivers on the promise of the taste. This reminds me of Stellum. It's sweet and spicy. I've been drinking it all evening, and the more I sip, the more 'grain' I detect. This isn't a negative, just an observation for my review. Finish: Medium, slightly drying, with the prune profile concluding the experience. Overall Thoughts: I didn't have specific memories of this when tasting at the distillery, but I knew why I bought it. It's distinctively good. A solid 3.5 stars. Updated 8/25/25: After tasting Weller Antique 107, the differences are stark. While both are wheated bourbons, this one is significantly less sweet and balanced than the Buffalo Trace distillate. This Ragged Branch wheater is much more 'earthy' and 'grainy,' with more 'youthful' characteristics. It likely wasn't aged longer than the 4 years required for BiB. It's certainly a different pour, but for wheated bourbons, I prefer Weller. Updated 8/31/25: Switching from Maker's Mark Lost Recipe 2025 to this highlights the dramatic differences between these wheated bourbons. I previously described this Ragged Branch offering as 'grainy,' but now I'm leaning towards 'youthful.' Yes, this spirit is a bit unusual, with a youthful funkiness. Experiencing two different whiskeys back-to-back can reveal significant differences, sometimes not for the better. This might end up being poured down the drain. I'm lowering my rating to 2.75 stars.

The aroma is dank and smoky, filling the senses. A potent caramel scent emerges after a while. The flavor mirrors the smell, with peat giving way to sweetness. The mouthfeel is somewhat lacking. The conclusion is barely there. Ultimately, the smoky character doesn't appeal to me.

From Batch 6, bottle 307. It has vanilla and certainly no corn. The smell is like a young whisky. The taste is harsh with corn and astringent oak. It needs more aging time.

Very oak-forward, and not sweet for a wheated bourbon. It's not what I prefer.

Can't find the honey variety on this app. Not my preference.