Holladay Soft Red Wheat Rickhouse Proof

To say I’m impressed with Holladay Distillery is an understatement. Having tasted both recipes (wheat and rye bourbon) and nearly every expression, I can attest they’re doing things right. I suppose it only makes sense when your master distiller’s inspiration is Jimmy Russell.

Pour: Holladay Soft Red Wheat Rickhouse Proof
Proof: 119.9 (batch dependent)
Age: 6 years
Color: dense copper
Nose: English toffee, syrupy oak char, blood orange
Taste: brown sugar, charred sweet corn, caramel chew
Finish: long w/ vanilla spice, woody cola, baked cinnamon

Overall: Move over, Maker’s Mark Cask Strength. Watch out, Weller Full Proof. Holladay Distillery’s Soft Red Wheat Rickhouse Proof has the depth and complexity of a serious contender. Given national distribution, this could very well be a game-changer.

Rating: Here’s the proof.

Bottle courtesy of Holladay Distillery, Weston, MO.

Holladay Soft Red Wheat Bottled-in-Bond Bourbon

Last year, I reviewed Holladay Distillery’s Bottled-in-Bond rye bourbon. I had low expectations at the time. Boy, was I surprised! Today, I’m diving into Holladay’s Soft Red Wheat Bottled-in-Bond expression. Naturally, my expectations are much higher. Let’s see if I’m right.

Pour: Holladay Soft Red Wheat Bourbon (BiB)
Proof: 100
Age: 6 years
Color: rich amber
Nose: vanilla, butter toffee, maraschino cherry
Taste: caramel drizzle, fresh-baked sugar cookie, nutmeg
Finish: moderate length w/ buttered wheat toast & honey, light spice

Overall: While not significantly complex, Holladay’s Soft Red Wheat is everything the producer claims and more. Sweet? Yes. Soft? Yes. I’ll add to that delicious and incredibly pleasant to sip. If you have the opportunity to try or buy, do both.

Rating: MO better bourbon

Bottle courtesy of Holladay Distillery, Weston, MO.

Bardstown Bourbon Co. Origin Series – Wheated KSBW

I’d been hearing a lot about Bardstown Bourbon Co.’s Origin Series, particularly the wheated bourbon mash bill (68% corn, 20% wheat, 12% malted barley). After discovering it for $60 on a visit to my local, I decided I’d give it a go. Here’s to the latest wheated warrior!

Pour: Bardstown Bourbon Co. Origin Series KSBW (20% wheat)
Proof: 100
Age: 6 years (bottled in bond)
Color: amber
Nose: vanilla, cane syrup, maraschino cherry
Taste: “bright” toffee, sugar cookie, white pepper
Finish: moderate length w/ sweet corn, light spice, lemon

Overall: A clean and inoffensive whiskey. Not much complexity (hardly any, truthfully), but for six years there’s promise for what may come. Keep an eye on Bardstown Bourbon Co.’s wheated bourbon recipe. It might be a Weller killer, just not today.

Rating: Borigins.

Company Distilling Straight Bourbon Whiskey

A few weeks ago, I received a whiskey sample from Company Distilling in Tennessee. It was accompanied by a note from Jeff Arnett, former master distiller at Jack Daniel. I must admit, it was a classy touch. This is their flagship wheated bourbon, distilled via contract in Ohio.

Pour: Company Distilling Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Proof: 90
Age: 3 years
Color: amber
Nose: corn, vanilla, smoked apple
Taste: Cracker Jacks, caramel drizzle, woody malt
Finish: moderate length w/ grain, char, black pepper & cinnamon

Overall: As you might imagine, this bourbon tastes its age, which is to say, a bit youthful. Fortunately, the proprietary toasted maple process adds some sweetness and a pleasant woody complexity. But at $55, it’s a pricey whiskey for its specs.

Rating: Fledgling Co.

Larceny Bourbon

Riding the fringe of Old Fitzgerald folklore is Larceny, a non-age-stated wheated mash bill bourbon produced by Heaven Hill. It’s not as talked about as its barrel-proof namesake, but to its credit, the original 92-proof iteration is affordable ($25) and widely available.

Pour: Larceny Bourbon
Proof: 92
Age: at least 4 years
Color: amber
Nose: vanilla, fresh dough, maraschino cherry
Taste: silky caramel, mellow oak, honey-butter
Finish: moderately short – mild baking spice, faint leather

Overall: Entry-level wheated recipe bourbons are a mixed bag. Maker’s Mark is sweet and lively; Weller Special Reserve is sweet and buttery. As for Larceny, the sweeter notes find suitable balance with the oak. It’s just overly mild and uninspiring.

Rating: Eye-roll smooth.

Weller Special Reserve

Anyone dipping their toes into the bourbon enthusiasm pool will quickly learn that Weller is Pappy. Okay, maybe not Pappy, but kind of the same as Pappy. Okay, maybe not kind of the same as Pappy, but dammit they need it because it has something to do with Pappy.

Today, I’m tasting Weller Special Reserve. That’s right – the supposed-to-be-priced-at $25, 90-proof, wheated mash bill, Buffalo Trace distilled bourbon phenomenon. Unfortunately, thanks to Pappy hysteria, its price is often as inflated as its mythos.

Pour: Weller Special Reserve
Proof: 90
Age: at least 4 years
Color: amber
Nose: vanilla, honey-glazed apple, buttery rolls
Taste: caramel drizzle, sweet oak, hints of cherry
Finish: moderate length – confectioners sugar, light baking spice

Overall: A well-balanced, easy-sipping, sweet and buttery bourbon. I completely understand why folks love this stuff. All the same, I discourage anyone from paying a premium for Weller Special Reserve. It’s good whiskey, not great whiskey.

Rating: Weller Lite.