Wheat whiskey, with its soft, smooth texture and subtle sweetness, is a category that has long flown under the radar. While bourbon and rye often dominate conversations in American whiskey, wheat whiskey is quietly carving out its niche, offering a distinctively approachable yet complex drinking experience. The 2024 World Whiskies Awards highlighted this evolving category, showcasing exceptional examples from distilleries across the United States.
This article explores the best American wheat whiskeys according to this year’s awards, delving into the unique stories and characteristics of each medal-winning bottle. Whether you’re a seasoned connoisseur or curious to try something new, these whiskeys represent the pinnacle of the wheat whiskey craft in 2024.
Bainbridge Battle Point Two Islands Islay Cask
Medal: Bronze
Category: Wheat
Tasting Notes: Roasted nuts, creosote, maritime smoke, stone fruit, leather, wheat, salt air, peat smoke
BUY NOW: $89.99
Bainbridge Distillery has been mentioned in many of my awards articles up to the point, and (spoiler alert) it will be mentioned twice more in this installment. Located on Bainbridge Island, west of Seattle, Bainbridge Distillery takes an artisanal approach to distilling organic spirits, and is no stranger to experimentation.
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For this particular expression, Bainbridge looked across the Atlantic to Islay, the cultural home of peated scotch whisky.
The Bainbridge Battle Point Two Islands Islay Cask Whiskey begins life as Bainbridge’s flagship Battle Point Organic Wheat Whiskey. Distilled from 100% USDA organic heritage white wheat, the whiskey is aged for a minimum of six years in level #3 char American oak. Then, the whiskey is transferred to casks sourced from the rugged shores of Islay, previously used to mature peated whisky, for a finishing period of 6-12 months.
This multi-award-winning expression combines Bainbridge’s soft and gentle wheat whiskey with the characteristic peat smoke associated with Islay. Maturation on Bainbridge Island allows maritime influences to imbue the whiskey with salty sea air.
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Bernheim Original Kentucky Straight Wheat Whiskey
Medal: Silver
Category: Wheat
Tasting Notes: Sweet, vanilla, honey, toffee, berries, spice, toasted oak
BUY NOW: $26
Bernheim Original Kentucky Straight Wheat Whiskey is produced by Heaven Hill Distillery which, in early 2024, was named ‘Distiller of the Year’ for the second consecutive time. Heaven Hill produces a number of revered brands, including Old Fitzgerald, Rittenhouse Rye, and Elijah Craig.
The Bernheim brand is named after the historic Bernheim Distillery in Louisville, which is now Heaven Hill.
This original expression is distilled from a mash bill of 51% wheat, 37% corn, and 12% malted barley and matured for seven years in traditional open rickhouses before being bottled at 90 proof.
A revered expression amongst whiskey enthusiasts, Bernheim’s accessible price point makes this a fantastic whiskey to keep in your cabinet. Award-winning, too.
Bainbridge Battle Point Two Islands Hokkaido Mizunara Cask
Medal: Gold, Category Winner
Category: Wheat
Tasting Notes: Baking spice, honey, Mizunara oak, tropical fruits, cinnamon, nutmeg, toasted coconut, marshmallow, joss incense
BUY NOW: $99.99
Back to Bainbridge now for a second Two Islands expression. Turning away from Scotland, Bainbridge looked all the way to Japan for the casks that finish this whiskey.
Again, Battle Point Two Islands Hokkaido Cask starts life as Bainbridge’s flagship wheat whiskey. Following a minimum six-year maturation period, the whiskey is transferred into specially selected 66-gallon single-use Mizunara oak casks for 8-12 months.
Mizunara oak, native to Japan, is a highly sought after material in the whiskey world. When used for maturation, it imparts distinctive notes of sandalwood and incense. However, it is also incredibly rare due to the long regeneration period – the oak must grow for around 150-200 years before it is mature enough to be used for maturation.
As such, Battle Point Two Islands Hokkaido Cask is in itself a rarity thanks to its Mizunara finish.
Lone Elm Whiskey Single Barrel Texas Straight Wheat Whiskey
Medal: Gold, Category Winner
Category: Wheat
Tasting Notes: Sasparilla, molasses, brown sugar, dark cherry, stone fruit, currant, cocoa, oak, vanilla, leather, spice
BUY NOW: $70
This Lone Elm expression was a particular favorite of the judges at the World Whiskies Awards in 2024. Distilled from a mash bill of 90% Texas soft red winter wheat and 10% malted barley, the whiskey exemplifies the smoothness that is associated with wheat whiskey.
Bottled at barrel proof after four years of maturation, each expression carries a slightly different ABV, but it tends to hover around 60%. Despite the high proof, the Lone Elm Single Barrel Texas Straight Wheat Whiskey has been billed as “easy to drink and approachable” by the distillery.
The whiskey is made by Five Points Distilling in Texas, which is renowned for its hand-crafted production process.
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