In all honesty, this was not a whiskey on my radar for review, as it is typically quite hard to find any of this distillery’s limited releases in NoCo. However, a few weeks ago, we stopped into one of our local stores in FoCo on the way home from our errands, and there it was on the shelf in all its glory, with a beautiful copper-colored medal just screaming, “Take me home.” So with that, today’s review comes from Bernheim Distillery, or better known as Heaven Hill, and is their new release of Bernheim Original 20th Anniversary Kentucky Straight Wheat Whiskey.

Bottle Information

From the Heaven Hill Brands website: Crafted from Bernheim’s signature soft winter wheat recipe, the 20th Anniversary Limited Edition features a special selection of barrels aged 10 years and is bottled at 115 proof (57.5% ABV), delivering a rich and complex tasting experience that honors both tradition and innovation. Produced at the historic Bernheim Distillery and aged in rickhouses in Bardstown, Kentucky, this small batch release reflects Heaven Hill’s continued commitment to quality and craftsmanship.

• Distiller: Distilled and Bottled by Bernheim Distillery
• Mash Bill: 51% Wheat, 37% Corn, and 12% Malted Barley
• Proof: 115
• Age: 10
• Year: 2026
• MSRP: $85
• 2026 National Average: $100
• Official Website

This was relatively easy to find in the NoCo area when it was first released, and there are still several locations with at least one bottle left on the shelf. Overall, and for my palate, this whisky lacked the fruitiness and sweetness I often want to find in an older wheated profile. Nonetheless, this was still a good whiskey with notes of maple, vanilla, and baking spice throughout, but it could have been great with a bit more fruitiness typically found in wheat whiskies. With that said, let’s get our taste on!

• Nose: Maple, Vanilla, Oak, Slight Red Fruit, Barrel Char, and Baking Spice
• Palate: Maple, Baking Spice, Vanilla, Oak, and a Slight Fruitiness
• Finish: Medium with Lasting Notes of Baking Spice and Oak Tannins
• My Rating: Mix It/Drink It! (This is good, but not great… feels a bit simplistic for a 10-year-old wheat whiskey.)

Please remember, drinking bourbon is a personal adventure, so do not be afraid to drink it neat, with ice, or add some water. It’s your bourbon, you bought it, and you should enjoy it how you want to enjoy it!

Cheers! Prost! Sláinte!

Bourbon Bossman®