Review: Remus Master Distiller Experimental Series No. 2 – Wheat Whiskey

Last year, MGP/Ross & Squibb’s Remus brand launched a new line of whiskeys intended to showcase the distillery’s range beyond the classic bourbon and rye that it’s known for. While 2025 was a unique bourbon, for 2026 it’s a whole new type of whiskey: wheat whiskey (95% wheat, 5% malted barley), which MGP has never really released in the past. Not only that, the whiskey — entirely distilled in 2017 — is finished., which again MGP is not known for. After aging in new oak, the various pulled barrels were finished separately in white Port, ruby Port, tawny Port, and oloroso sherry casks, then blended together for the release.

We tasted the whiskey with Master Distiller Ian Stirsman over Zoom, who enthused about wheat whiskey’s ability to incorporate finishing barrels well, a day ahead of its general release.

Remus Master Distiller Experimental Series #2 – Wheat Whiskey Review

On the nose, the whiskey immediately surprises — first cereal-driven and very nutty, clearly heavy with oxidized wine notes that land closer to Madeira than Port, at least aromatically. Lots of time in glass helps this coalesce into a more raisiny, Port-forward note, though there’s a surprising austerity to the aromatic experience. Behind it all, that sweet breakfast cereal quality, endemic to wheat whiskey, endures.

The palate is quite wine-forward and very sweet — Stirsman is totally correct about its finishing capabilities — showing a mix of raisiny Port and nuttier, more citrusy sherry notes, both of which dominate the tasting experience from the start. Slightly salty as it develops, the whiskey evokes clearer notes of roasted almonds before a rolling nougat quality builds as the finish nears. Both chewy and a bit racy at its full 56.5% abv, it winds things up with a healthy dollop of vanilla cake frosting, clinging to the sides of the tongue.

Wheat whiskey can be divisive, and this bottling is probably not going to make converts out of anyone, in either direction. The finishing is so powerful as to be almost over the top, making for an experience that can border on candylike at times. But hey, no fault there — they did say it was an experiment.

113 proof.

B+ / $70

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