Bernheim Original Kentucky Straight Wheat Whiskey

A few months ago, I was in Dallas for a conference and brought some samples with me to enjoy in the hotel room and Bernheim Original Kentucky Straight Wheat Whiskey was one of them. Some of those samples I've written about previously. For whatever reason, I didn't get around to actually trying out Bernheim Original Kentucky Straight Wheat Whiskey until

Bernheim Original Kentucky
Straight Wheat Whiskey

now! I like wheated whiskies, so maybe I was saving the best for last. In most cases, I'm a huge believer in Hemingway's old adage, "Write drunk, edit sober," so I was inspired to at least jot down my tasting notes!

From the Heaven Hill Website

This Heaven Hill Distillery original is named for the famed Bernheim Distillery here in Louisville. 7-Year-Old Wheat Whiskey, Bernheim Original is the first new style of American Whiskey to be introduced since Prohibition. Aged for 7 years in our traditional open rickhouses, Bernheim’s mellow taste is refreshingly smooth when served straight or in cocktails.

Distillery: Bernheim Original Kentucky Straight Wheat Whiskey is distilled at Heaven Hill Distillery, Louisville, KY, USA

Proof: Bernheim Original Kentucky Straight Wheat Whiskey is bottled at 90 Proof

Age: Bernheim Original Kentucky Straight Wheat Whiskey is aged for minimum 7 years

Appearance: Bernheim Original Kentucky Straight Wheat Whiskey has a copper, with long fingers running down the glass

Nose: On the nose, Bernheim Original Kentucky Straight Wheat Whiskey has notes of vanilla, caramel, and honey

Taste: On the tongue Bernheim Original Kentucky Straight Wheat Whiskey has sweet notes of vanilla. It is smooth, with almost no spice notes to it

Finish: On the finish Bernheim Original Kentucky Straight Wheat Whiskey is smooth and lingers long,  with mild spice and light oak.

Overall, Bernheim Original Kentucky Straight Wheat Whiskey is very good and enjoyable whiskey. I need to get more than just a sample bottle to try out. I drank it neat. This is not a whiskey that you will want to mix with anything. Just sip and enjoy.

Slainte!

 

Elijah Craig Small Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Elijah Craig Small Batch Kentucky
Bourbon Whiskey

I gave this one a taste the other day. I am going to have to try it again, maybe from a fresh bottle. I am not sure if it was due to being from a gift set, or that it was a sample bottle that I had opened a while back and had been left open, or that I had burned my mouth on some hot soup! Either way, I don't think I got the full flavor profile of this whiskey. That just means I have to go check out the new Total Wine that is opening near my office.

The sample bottle came from a Heaven Hill gift pack.

Overall, this was a good whiskey, despite the flavors not being fully appreciated.


Color: Copper

Nose: One the nose, there were sweet notes of fruit and vanilla.

Taste: There were sweet notes of vanilla, but not the usual spice that I typically pick up and appreciate in whiskey.

Finish: The finish was long and warming. It starts in the front and pushes it's way back and lingers to give a warm satisfying feeling.

Jim Beam Repeal Batch

Jim Beam Repeal Batch

To celebrate 85 years since the repeal of prohibition, Jim Beam recently release the Jim Beam Prohibition batch! This Bourbon Whiskey is non chill filtered in the style of whiskey produced just after the end of Prohibition. I was able to get my hands on a bottle, and just might have to go get some more!

From the label:

At 86 Proof and Non-Chill Filtered Jim Beam Repeal Batch is inspired by the way we made it after Prohibition. That means, all nuances and flavor gained through interaction of the whiskey and the barrel remain for you to enjoy. 

Tasting Notes:

Nose: Right up front, I got notes of sweet vanilla, followed by ethanol at the tail.

Taste: On the tongue, there is more vanilla,  with notes of spice/pepper

Finish: Smooth up front. Vanilla up front. Surprisingly, the ethanol notes on the nose do not carry to the finish. The finish gets a little harsh on the finish. Even mouth feel.

Overall, this is a solid bourbon and a nice departure from the standard Jim Beam. If this batch were to become part of the standard Jim Beam lineup, I could see making it a part of my standard collection!