Bernheim 20th Anniversary 10 Years Aged Wheat Whiskey
The Stats
- Distillery: Heaven Hill Distillery
- Location: Louisville, KY
- Type: Kentucky Straight Wheat Whiskey
- Proof: 115 Proof (57.5% ABV)
- Age: 10 Years
- Mash Bill: 51% Wheat, 37% Corn, 12% Malted Barley
- Release: Limited Anniversary Release
- MSRP: $85
CLICK THE VIDEO TO PLAY ↓
Bernheim Original Kentucky Straight Wheat Whiskey 20th Anniversary Limited Edition doesn’t try to be bourbon, and that’s exactly the point. It leans into a softer, sweeter wheat-driven profile, with 10 years of age and a higher proof adding more oak, spice, and structure. The result is a more complete version of Bernheim’s core identity, but not a fundamentally different one; this is still the same profile, just turned up.
Originally introduced in 2005 as the first new American whiskey style since Prohibition, Bernheim helped define modern wheat whiskey. This 20th-anniversary release builds on that legacy with greater age and intensity, delivering added depth without fully transforming the profile.
A Softer Profile, Turned Up
Bernheim has always leaned into a gentle, dessert-forward profile, soft sweetness, light oak, and a more delicate structure compared to traditional bourbon.
This anniversary release builds on that foundation. The profile is immediately familiar: sweet, approachable, and firmly in that wheat-driven lane. But with the added age and higher proof comes more weight, more oak, more spice, and a noticeable lift in intensity.
It’s a more complete version of Bernheim, but not a transformation. The core softness remains, now with sharper edges and a bit more presence.
Tasting Notes
Aroma
Soft and inviting. Honey and vanilla lead, backed by a creamy, dessert-like sweetness that leans into notes of icing and “wedding cake.”
As it opens, light oak and a touch of peach come through, along with a subtle breadiness that keeps it grounded in that wheat profile. There’s a hint of ethanol and a slight spice underneath, but overall, it stays gentle and approachable.
Taste
Sweeter on the front than expected. Caramel, vanilla, and honey hit first, followed by brown sugar and a touch of molasses.
Mid-palate is where things shift. The proof shows up with a noticeable spike of spice, cinnamon, pepper, and a bit of heat that cuts through the softer notes. It adds contrast, but also starts to overpower some of the subtleties from the nose. There’s a nice balance early on, but it becomes a bit sharper as it develops.
Finish
Medium to medium-long with a drying, slightly spicy finish. Oak and baking spice linger, along with a fading sweetness that gives way to a more peppery close. It evolves a bit over time, especially as the glass opens up, but leans more toward structure than complexity.
Artfully Bourbon Rating
6.5 / 10 - Above Average
Bernheim 20th Anniversary Wheat Whiskey delivers on what it promises, but only to a point. The added age and proof bring more depth, more oak, and more intensity to a traditionally soft profile. For some, that’s exactly what wheat whiskey needs. For others, it highlights the style's limits.
At around $85, this becomes a tougher sell. It’s a good bottle, and one that’s worth trying, especially if you enjoy wheat-forward profiles. But it doesn’t quite reach the level of something you feel the need to chase or replace.
This is for drinkers who enjoy sweeter, softer whiskeys and want to see that profile pushed a little further. If you’re expecting a dramatic transformation or something that stands out in a crowded field, this may fall a bit short. A solid pour. A meaningful release. But for most, likely a one-and-done.
Related Reviews We Think You’ll Enjoy
Shop the Artfully Bourbon Mercantile
An Artfully Bourbon Gift Card lets your favorite whiskey lover pick exactly what they want, from shirts and hats to tasting notebooks and more. No guessing, no stress, just good taste made easy.
Perfect for birthdays, holidays, or the “I forgot to buy a gift” emergency.
Delivered digitally. Never expires.
