What Is Wheated Bourbon: A Smooth Journey Into Whiskey
So, what is wheated bourbon? It's a common question, especially for those new to bourbon whiskey. The world of bourbon can feel vast, but understanding what is wheated bourbon is a great starting point. It offers a smoother entry for those hesitant about the bite of rye bourbon.
What Makes Wheated Bourbon Different?
The difference is in the mash bill, the grain mix used in bourbon production. Traditional bourbons use rye as a flavoring grain, which adds spicy notes. Wheated bourbon replaces rye with wheat, resulting in a sweeter taste.
Think rye bread versus wheat bread. Rye has a distinct, spicy flavor, while wheat leans toward gentle sweetness. This analogy captures the essence of the difference between the two bourbon styles.
Understanding the Mash Bill
Bourbon has legal requirements for its mash bill. At least 51% must
What is Must Creating must is the first ... More be corn, providing the bourbon's sweetness. Usually, there's a small percentage of malted barley to help with fermentation.
The remaining portion allows distillers to experiment. This is where wheat or rye takes center stage, shaping the bourbon's final flavor profile.
Flavoring grains like wheat enhances the sweetness of the corn by producing long starch molecules during fermentation. Wheat retains more of these long starch molecules than other grains, such as rye, ultimately creating bourbon's sweeter taste.
The Taste of Wheated Bourbon
Wheated bourbons offer a delightful flavor journey, often featuring caramel, vanilla, and honey. They also display fruit and toffee flavors. These flavor profiles are what distinguish wheated bourbon from others. Bourbon distillers carefully consider their ingredients when it comes to wheated bourbons because the taste must contain hints of caramel and have an otherwise more subtle toffee flavor with just a hint of the bite that rye usually produces.
However, not all wheated bourbons are the same. The flavor depends on the wheat content, the aging process in oak barrels, and the barrels themselves.
A wheated bourbon typically features a balance divided between sweet and fruity, with only a touch of spiciness.
Popular Wheated Bourbons to Explore
Ready to experience wheated bourbon? Excellent choices include Maker's Mark, W.L. Weller Special Reserve, 1792 Sweet Wheat, and Larceny. Prices vary considerably.
W.L. Weller Special Reserve is available at Drizly for $19, while Garrison Brothers Small Batch is around $70. Wyoming Whiskey can be found at ReserveBar for $47.
Redemption Wheated Bourbon and Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond are other worthwhile options for bourbon enthusiasts. These popular wheated bourbons provide a broad perspective of the spectrum and offer a wonderful way for whiskey enthusiasts to begin.
Pappy Van Winkle is a high wheat content bourbon and is known as one of the most expensive wheated bourbons in the world.
FAQs about what is wheated bourbon
What is the difference between wheated bourbon and regular bourbon?
The primary difference lies in the flavoring grain. Regular bourbon typically uses rye, creating spicier notes. Wheated bourbon swaps rye for wheat, resulting in a smoother, sweeter flavor. These bourbons use American whiskey aged in newly charred American oak
American oak plays a significant role in... More barrels for their distinctive taste. Kentucky straight bourbon whiskeys such as these must follow certain legal requirements, including a mash bill with at least 51% corn.
Why do people like wheated bourbon?
Wheated bourbon's smooth, sweet profile is approachable, appealing to newer bourbon drinkers. It offers a less intense experience with caramel and vanilla notes and hints of fruit.
Is Buffalo Trace a wheated bourbon?
Buffalo Trace produces wheated bourbons like Pappy Van Winkle. However, their flagship Buffalo Trace bourbon is a rye bourbon. It uses American oak, and the distillery welcomes visitors to take part in tours and tastings.
Is Woodford Reserve a wheated bourbon?
No, Woodford Reserve isn't a wheated bourbon, and does not follow the usual wheated bourbon recipes or use exotic grains. Woodford Reserve Double Oaked undergoes a special process, including further aging in custom-toasted barrels.
Their flavor profile tends toward sweetness due to lower rye mash bills than traditional bourbons. They utilize straight rye whiskey for their whiskeys in conjunction with other flavoring grains to achieve the preferred bourbon flavor profile and ultimately a very satisfying bourbon experience.
Conclusion
So, what is wheated bourbon? It's a delightful variation of classic bourbon. Substituting wheat for rye creates a distinct, approachable flavor. Whether you're a seasoned straight bourbon whiskey drinker or a newcomer, wheated bourbon is worth exploring.
Start with affordable picks to discover your preference and build up to pricier cask strength bourbons as your appreciation grows. Wheated bourbon isn't overly complex and offers a richly rewarding journey for the palate.
