In 2023, Heaven Hill did as soon as once more what it at all times does to its standard whiskey strains by releasing a barrel proof model of the product. Bernheim Barrel Proof is launched in batches — twice per yr as an alternative of three, the best way Larceny and Elijah Craig are launched — with proof and batch info denoted on the entrance of every label.
In any other case, the music stays the identical. Take the usual 7 yr outdated Bernheim and simply don’t water it down:
Bernheim Authentic Kentucky Straight Wheat Whiskey is the primary wheat whiskey to make use of winter wheat as its major grain, making a gentle, candy taste. This extension to the Bernheim model delivers the identical acquainted smoothness with much more depth of taste from seven to 9 full years of getting old. Pulled straight from the barrel and bottled with out chill filtration, Bernheim Barrel Proof wheat whiskey in its purest type. Just like the Authentic, Barrel Proof is produced on the namesake Bernheim Distillery in Louisville, Kentucky and aged in Heaven Hill’s rickhouses. Bernheim Barrel Proof will likely be a nationally allotted product which will likely be launched in batches, twice a yr. Every launch may have its personal distinctive batch quantity and proof which can fluctuate from version to version.
Conserving with Heaven Hill’s dedication to custom and high quality, Bernheim Barrel Proof is made with Heaven Hill’s wheat whiskey mashbill which is comprised of 51% wheat, 37% corn, and 12% malted barley. The A223 batch of Barrel Proof is bottled at 118.8 proof or 59.4% by quantity. With a definite nostril of oak staves and recent bread, this wheat whiskey has preliminary tasting notes spanning from buttery hints of caramel and honey to the spiciness of cloves. The end is gentle, but advanced with lasting notes of honey and caramel.
“The launch of the Barrel Proof expression of Bernheim Wheat Whiskey is a really thrilling one for Heaven Hill,” says Grasp Distiller Conor O’Driscoll. “We all know this can be a product shoppers need, and we predict this batch has the smoothness they’ll acknowledge from Bernheim Authentic, however with a good higher depth of taste.”
Bottles of this Bernheim Barrel Proof Kentucky Straight Wheat Whiskey will characteristic the A223 batch quantity prominently on the entrance of every bottle subsequent to the Barrel Proof designation. The letter “A” represents the primary batch of the yr. The primary quantity represents the month of the discharge with “2” indicating February. Lastly, the final two digits point out the corresponding yr with “23” designating 2023.
We’ve been overlaying these releases for the reason that begin. Ongoing opinions of every launch will enchantment right here in chronological order.
Bernheim Barrel Proof Authentic Wheat Whiskey Batch A223 (February 2023) Evaluate
Spoiler alert: There are few surprises within the combine with this whiskey, and if you happen to’re in any respect aware of Bernheim’s commonplace expression, you’ll discover loads of the identical components swirling round right here, too. Candy and syrupy on the nostril, this once more drops a vanilla-dusted, Sunday morning pancake breakfast, falling proper in your lap — and whereas they’re definitely highly effective, the aromatics are in no way fiery or nostril-burning such as you’d anticipate finding within the typical cask power whiskey. Brown butter and traces of strawberry turn out to be evident with slightly time in glass, however the basic softness of wheat whiskey is on full show right here.
The palate is even sweeter than I used to be anticipating. Once more, a daring maple syrup high quality is fast, redolent with notes of bananas, candied walnuts, recent figs, and loads of gingerbread spice because the end builds. Vanilla and milk chocolate play dueling banjos because the extra fruit- and spice-driven notes fade a bit, and the end hits like a boozy, maple-sweetened milkshake. All all through the expertise, it’s by no means overtly blazing with alcohol, although it positively packs a punch. Add water if you happen to’d like, however then you definitely’re just about again to the 90 proof model.
Wheat whiskey generally is often too candy for my tastes, and that’s positively the case right here, however the added energy of a barrel proof launch helps to present this expression a bit extra nuance and pizzazz whereas giving the sugar one thing to bounce off of. Sure, I wrote pizzazz. 118.8 proof. A- / $65 [BUY IT NOW FROM FROOTBAT]
Bernheim Barrel Proof Authentic Wheat Whiskey Batch B923 (September 2023) Evaluate
Bernheim at all times tends towards the candy facet, and B923 is not any exception to the rule, evident on the nostril as a syrupy, maple-infused deal with that candy tooths (candy enamel?) will gravitate to instantly. Ample baking spice offers the whiskey a Christmassy high quality, popping with candied cherries however tempered with only a little bit of char.
No surprises on the palate from my viewpoint: The sweetness endures, although the alcohol could make for a warming expertise, with the complete dessert cart in impact: Vanilla, marshmallow cream, flambeed banana, and loads of maple syrup. Gingery with a spiced fruitcake high quality rising late within the sport, the whiskey even makes room for a dusting of chocolate towards the end. It’s not notably sizzling, and is totally approachable with out water, however a number of drops of H2O can truly assist to mood among the sugar together with the booziness.
I don’t know that this whiskey diverges a lot from A223, nor that Bernheim’s Barrel Proof releases are going to indicate as a lot variance as, say, the Elijah Craig Barrel Proof lineup going ahead. That’s a giant plus if you happen to’re in search of consistency — however people who purpose to match and distinction a number of vintages could discover themselves twiddling their thumbs a bit. 120.6 proof. A- / $65 [BUY IT NOW FROM FROOTBAT]
Bernheim Barrel Proof Authentic Wheat Whiskey Batch A224 (January 2024) Evaluate
Possibly my nostril is dialed down a bit at present, however this expression appears much less aggressively candy than earlier bottlings of the Barrel Proof — and the usual launch of Bernheim. That basic maple character is a part of the equation, however its sugariness is held in test, leaving ample room for extra cinnamon, black cherry, and a black pepper notice on the nostril.
There’s ample warmth on the palate — that is fairly a bit hotter than final yr’s B923 — nevertheless it’s manageable. A splash of water doesn’t harm to mood among the peppery notes and assist coax out stronger notes of purple fruit, Asian spices, and extra subdued white pepper notes. Time in glass reveals a stronger vanilla character, with notes of coconut, almond nougat, crystalized ginger, and a lingering milk chocolate character. Most likely my favourite of the three Bernheim Barrel Proof releases so far — nevertheless it’s robust to place an excessive amount of water on this, so be liberal along with your dosage. 125.2 proof. A- / $65 [BUY IT NOW FROM FROOTBAT]
Bernheim Barrel Proof Authentic Wheat Whiskey Batch B924 (September 2024) Evaluate
At a comparatively low 61.3% abv, B924 gives a vibrant nostril of almond butter, a contact of lemon, and maple candies — all unfettered by an excessive amount of uncooked alcohol character. With time in glass, the aromas flip virtually floral, although a bit vague.
On the palate, related overtones dominate up entrance, although the whiskey strikes rapidly right into a fruit-forward character, showcasing apples, raspberry, and cherry. Time in glass helps some extra barrel-driven components come into focus, although the woodsy notes rapidly dissolve into candy notes of vanilla and a reprise of maple. By no means syrupy or cloying, the end hits milk chocolate and hazelnut notes, toasted coconut, and a remaining reprise of almond.
Probably the greatest — if not the finest — Bernheim Barrel Proof launched so far. 122.6 proof. A / $65 [BUY IT NOW FROM FROOTBAT]
Bernheim Barrel Proof Authentic Wheat Whiskey Batch A225 (January 2025) Evaluate
Bready on the nostril, with vital overtones of orange flower honey, butterscotch, maple syrup, and a lighter notice of almond. That is extra simple than a few of Bernheim’s earlier expressions, not overly fruity or floral, its sweeter components actually dominating.
The palate doesn’t quit a lot else — massive butterscotch cream, lemon, and a constructing banana character. Vanilla and maple linger, coming throughout like syrup generously utilized to Sunday morning pancakes. There’s a spicy, clove-scented edge to the end, nevertheless it’s slight, misplaced amid all of the syrups and sugars that dominate this expertise. Wheat whiskey might be this manner typically — a bit cloying and mouth-coating — and whereas Bernheim Barrel Proof has had an incredible run thus far, it was form of inevitable that finally the sweet store would come knocking. 125.4 proof. B / $65 [BUY IT NOW FROM FROOTBAT]
Bernheim Barrel Proof Authentic Wheat Whiskey Batch B924 (September 2024)
USD65
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