We’re proud to announce the release of the Bernheim Barrel Proof Kentucky Straight Wheat Whiskey, the first national barrel proof expression of the Bernheim Original line.

Fans will know Bernheim Original Kentucky Straight Wheat Whiskey as the first wheat whiskey to use winter wheat as its primary grain, creating a soft, sweet flavor. Bernheim Barrel Proof delivers the same familiar smoothness with even more depth of flavor thanks to the extra time spent aging.

Pulled straight from the barrel at 118.8 proof and bottled without chill filtration, this first batch is wheat whiskey in its purest form. Like the original, Bernheim Barrel Proof is produced at the namesake Bernheim Distillery in Louisville, Kentucky, but this expression is aged for seven to nine years in our open-air rickhouses. It is made from our Wheat Whiskey mashbill which is comprised of 51% wheat, 37% corn and 12% malted barley.

With a distinct nose of oak staves and fresh bread, this wheat whiskey has initial tasting notes spanning from buttery hints of caramel and honey to the spiciness of cloves. The finish is soft, yet complex with lasting notes of honey and caramel.

“The launch of the barrel proof expression of Bernheim Wheat Whiskey is a very exciting one for Heaven Hill,” says Master Distiller Conor O’Driscoll. “We know this is a product consumers want, and we think this batch has the smoothness they’ll recognize from the Bernheim Original, but with an even greater depth of flavor.”

Available starting in late February, Bernheim Barrel Proof is a nationally allocated product which will be released in batches, twice a year. Each release will have its own unique batch number and proof which will vary from edition to edition.

This first release features the A223 batch number prominently on the front of each bottle. The letter “A” represents that this is the first batch of the year. The first number represents the month of the release with “2” indicating February. Finally, the last two digits indicate the corresponding year with “23” designating 2023.