Questions
What is the cheapest wheat whiskey?
What is the oldest wheat whiskey you can buy?
Does bourbon or rye have a minimum age?
Plain bourbon, rye and wheat whiskey have no minimum age, but “straight” versions must spend at least 2 years in charred new oak. Any US whiskey younger than 4 years must carry an age statement on the label, unless it is bottled in bond.
What is wheat whiskey?
In the US, wheat whiskey is made from a mash of at least 51% wheat and follows the same distillation and charred new oak rules as bourbon and rye. Straight wheat whiskey must be aged for at least 2 years.
What is the difference between wheat whiskey and wheated bourbon?
A wheated bourbon is still at least 51% corn; it simply uses wheat instead of rye as its secondary grain, as Maker’s Mark and Old Fitzgerald do. A wheat whiskey must be at least 51% wheat.
What does wheat bring to the flavour of whiskey?
A softer, creamier mouthfeel. Wheat isn’t a sweeter grain, but it is milder than rye, so more of the vanilla and caramel from the oak comes through and the whiskey tastes sweeter.