Review: Bardstown Bourbon Origin Series High Wheat Bourbon

Break out the cigars. Bardstown Bourbon Company’s Origin family is welcoming a new addition. High Wheat is the latest in the distillery’s house-distilled core range, and it is distinguished by, unsurprisingly, a whole lot of wheat. In fact, at 39%, it’s one of the highest percentages of wheat in any mashbill across the industry. This new whiskey comes in addition to another wheated bourbon in the Origin lineup, the Bottled-in-Bond black label offering, which boasts a more modest 20% wheat in its recipe.

A double tap of wheated bourbon isn’t exactly a surprise from this pioneering Kentucky distillery. BBCo.’s own “Wheat King” and Hall of Fame Master Distiller Steve Nally, who spent 30 years at Maker’s Mark, is famously fond of wheated bourbon recipes. In fact, a wheated white dog was actually the first new make I ever sampled from the distillery many years ago. With Steve’s guidance, Nick Smith, Director of Distillation and Head Distiller (who handles more of the day-to-day distilling operations), arrived at the perfect mix of wheat and barrel entry proof (108) to birth this latest Origin offering. Let’s check it out.

The nose is gentle with notes of new leather, buttery brioche, and crème caramel. As it opens, a bit of lemon drop gives things some lift, but the aroma stays elegant and subdued for the most part. It’s a complete departure from the other Origin wheater, Bottled-in-Bond. The same holds true on the palate, but for different reasons. There’s more oak clearly at work in the High Wheat, and the modest increase in abv is apparent with a bit more hugging warmth. Wood sugars dominate with notes of spice cabinet, toffee, and butterscotch that shifts from candied initially to darker and creamier on the midpalate. The finish is lingering and rich with buttery caramel and soft oak. At just six years old, it’s an impressively built bourbon, and while it may not be the most complex Origin Series release, the body and mouthfeel are unrivaled. A joy to sip and savor, and a solid addition to the Origin Series family.

106 proof.

A- / $50

The post Review: Bardstown Bourbon Origin Series High Wheat Bourbon appeared first on Drinkhacker: The Insider’s Guide to Good Drinking.