Wheat Whiskey

Talk about rare, export, annual release and other types of similar bottlings here.

Moderator: Squire

Wheat Whiskey

Unread postby tlsmothers » Sat Feb 19, 2005 1:53 am

At NYC WhiskyFest, I'm sittin' in the seminar with Parker Beam. A question is raised about why there ain't no straight wheat when we have straight bourbon, straight rye, straight corn. Parker answered that somebody was workin' on one. I mumbled, "Must be Buffalo Trace." This was overheard and the reply was, "No, it's not." I think I saw a gleam in his eye. I ain't startin' rumors, but then again, maybe I am. :wink:

Any of y'all heard any such "rumor" roamin' around?
"Drinking just to get drunk is like having sex just to get pregnant." --Robert Hess
User avatar
tlsmothers
Registered User
 
Posts: 353
Joined: Sun Oct 10, 2004 2:31 pm
Location: New York City

Unread postby cowdery » Sat Feb 19, 2005 4:43 am

Yes. His son has dropped similar hints.
- Chuck Cowdery

Author of Bourbon, Straight
User avatar
cowdery
Registered User
 
Posts: 1586
Joined: Tue Oct 19, 2004 1:07 pm
Location: Chicago

Unread postby tlsmothers » Sat Feb 19, 2005 1:46 pm

I'm thinkin' this is the year! And based on the great values coming out of HH, I bet we're gonna get the chance to have a great new whiskey at a good price, too.
"Drinking just to get drunk is like having sex just to get pregnant." --Robert Hess
User avatar
tlsmothers
Registered User
 
Posts: 353
Joined: Sun Oct 10, 2004 2:31 pm
Location: New York City

Unread postby tlsmothers » Wed May 18, 2005 5:51 pm

Heard from Heaven Hill's Larry Kass today. The new wheated whiskey will be called Bernheim Original Kentucky Straight Wheat Whiskey. Hope to see it make a debut around August, he says. It will only be released to about 11 markets, but NY is one, thank the "heavens" (yes, pun intended).

Here's tasting notes from some famous tongues. We need to hear from our dear Chuck! (Oh, Chuckipoo? Where are you? We know you got the goods!) :P

“Gentle in personality and predominantly sweet, with notes of honeyed vanilla, caramel, maple syrup, coconut cream pie, and a hint of red licorice. Underlying bright fruit, suggestions of green tea, and a dusting of cinnamon keep the whiskey lively and upbeat. A soft, toasted oak finish tames the sweetness and provides balance. The whiskey is more approachable and easier to drink than a typical bourbon containing rye…It is an interesting change of pace from the standard bourbon fare, and it is a unique exploration of American whiskey without sacrificing authenticity.”
John Hansell
Malt Advocate Magazine

“Pretty and flawlessly clean. Aeration unleashes deep, mildly sweet aromas of sap, fresh vanilla bean, Graham crackers, and light honey. Bernheim offers a fine balance of wood, moderately sweet grain, and acidity at palate entry; by midpalate, off-dry flavors of charred oak, light toffee, and sap develop. Finishes elegantly, warm.”
F. Paul Pacult
The Spirit Journal
"Drinking just to get drunk is like having sex just to get pregnant." --Robert Hess
User avatar
tlsmothers
Registered User
 
Posts: 353
Joined: Sun Oct 10, 2004 2:31 pm
Location: New York City

Unread postby cowdery » Fri May 20, 2005 1:59 pm

I'm about half through my little bottle of it but now I'm intimidated by the mellifluidity of Hansell and Pacult.

I'm glad you let the cat out of the bag, LeNell.

I will say this, it doesn't taste like anything you've ever had before.
- Chuck Cowdery

Author of Bourbon, Straight
User avatar
cowdery
Registered User
 
Posts: 1586
Joined: Tue Oct 19, 2004 1:07 pm
Location: Chicago

Wheat Whiskey

Unread postby NeoTexan » Fri May 20, 2005 2:51 pm

Darn Chuck, every time you write a post I learn a new word!
mellifluidity! Who knew?

LeNell ... Debut in Aug. means BF05 tasting. I do not know (but I suspect I won't) if I will be able to get it here in Ohio. Could I ask you to save one for me when you get them in?

Dale
NeoTexan
Registered User
 
Posts: 140
Joined: Tue Oct 12, 2004 3:40 pm
Location: Indianapolis, IN

Unread postby cowdery » Fri May 20, 2005 4:48 pm

Coming soon to a gazebo near you.
Attachments
Bernheim.jpg
Bernheim.jpg (99.3 KiB) Viewed 12002 times
- Chuck Cowdery

Author of Bourbon, Straight
User avatar
cowdery
Registered User
 
Posts: 1586
Joined: Tue Oct 19, 2004 1:07 pm
Location: Chicago

Unread postby gillmang » Fri May 20, 2005 5:42 pm

Very cool. Lovely bottle. Can't wait to try this.

Gary
User avatar
gillmang
Vatman
 
Posts: 2173
Joined: Mon Jan 24, 2005 4:44 pm

Unread postby cowdery » Fri May 27, 2005 6:17 pm

My tasting notes on Bernheim Original Wheat Whiskey:

The nose has barbecue sauce on top, anise and chamomile underneath. The mouth is big, sweet to start, drier at the end. It finishes long and tingly. “Original” sums it up, you have never tasted this before. If you think the caramel corn sweetness of wheated bourbons has prepared you, it hasn’t. Wheat at this level imparts a black tea bitterness which, in concert with the honey-like corn sweetness, gives this whiskey its distinctive character. It is hearty and flavorful like whole wheat bread. From the wood it draws raw oak more than char, like a very oaky Chardonnay. I liked it better with every glass.
- Chuck Cowdery

Author of Bourbon, Straight
User avatar
cowdery
Registered User
 
Posts: 1586
Joined: Tue Oct 19, 2004 1:07 pm
Location: Chicago

Unread postby Brewer » Fri May 27, 2005 6:29 pm

Is anyone aware of the mashbill for the Original
Wheat Whiskey? I figure its at least 51% wheat, some barley, and some corn(?). This should be interesting, to say the least.

LeNell, any idea when it'll hit NY?
Bob
User avatar
Brewer
Moderator
Moderator
 
Posts: 1481
Joined: Sun Oct 10, 2004 11:44 am
Location: LI, NY

Unread postby cowdery » Fri May 27, 2005 7:34 pm

Sorry, I thought I posted that. Here is everything I know.

First mashing was of 129 barrels in January, 2000.
Bottling at 5 years and 90 proof.
Distilled at Bernheim in Louisville, aged in Bardstown in warehouse Y.
Initial markets: Kentucky, Texas, Georgia, Tennessee, Florida, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, Pennsylvania, New York, Colorado
Available: September, 2005
Mashbill: 51% soft winter wheat, 39% corn, 10% malted barley.
Suggested retail price: $39.95
- Chuck Cowdery

Author of Bourbon, Straight
User avatar
cowdery
Registered User
 
Posts: 1586
Joined: Tue Oct 19, 2004 1:07 pm
Location: Chicago

Unread postby OneCubeOnly » Fri May 27, 2005 9:47 pm

Initial markets:...Virginia...


This is beyond belief!!! :shock:

Angelshare--did you see this!?
User avatar
OneCubeOnly
Registered User
 
Posts: 174
Joined: Sun Oct 10, 2004 8:12 pm
Location: Virginia

Unread postby WhiskyPete » Sat May 28, 2005 12:17 pm

will the wheat whisky be available in the uk
WhiskyPete
 

Unread postby cowdery » Tue May 31, 2005 1:56 pm

I have not heard anything one way or the other about international distribution.

Is it possible that, for once, we're getting something like this here first?
- Chuck Cowdery

Author of Bourbon, Straight
User avatar
cowdery
Registered User
 
Posts: 1586
Joined: Tue Oct 19, 2004 1:07 pm
Location: Chicago

Unread postby angelshare » Thu Jun 02, 2005 9:57 pm

OneCubeOnly wrote:
Initial markets:...Virginia...


This is beyond belief!!! :shock:

Angelshare--did you see this!?


Been a little overwhelmed the last week, so we just saw it! Looks like the VA chapter of BE.com might be gathering for our own tasting in the fall. Linn, are you in?
Dave & Tina
angelshare
Registered User
 
Posts: 531
Joined: Thu Oct 14, 2004 9:09 pm
Location: Luray, VA

Next

Return to Enthusiast Bottlings

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 10 guests