Country American Whiskey
Distillery/Brand Bernheim

Bernheim Original

Bernheim was the first straight wheat whiskey to be launched on the US market and is bottled at seven years of age.

Tasting Note by The Chaps at Master of Malt

Nose Warm and sweet with buttered granary toast, a hint of salt, mixed spices and a distinct morello cherry character. Cooked fruit and a defined bakery note.

Palate Quite full and sweet. Freshly baked sweet buns, a stewed fruit note and a mixed nut character. There are hints of tuck shop favourites and a touch of spearmint.

Finish Long and slightly dry with toasty spices.

I've been really good, can I have
Bernheim Original?
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Winner of 4 spirit awards

Winner
Winner
American Whiskey - Best Wheat - 2013
World Whiskies Awards
Double Gold
Double Gold
American Craft Whiskey - 2012
San Francisco World Spirits Competition
Silver
Silver
Straight Bourbon 10 years old and under - 2019
International Spirits Challenge
Silver
Silver
American Craft Whiskey - 2013
San Francisco World Spirits Competition

Allergy information

This product does not contain any notifiable allergens
More allergen information



Reviews for Bernheim Original
SNAP IT UP IF YOU CAN
On its own it is reasonably good but being only 7 odd years old it still tastes a little "green". This note of immaturity transfers onto the palate with a little harshness that another 5 or so years would probably smooth out. Having said that, for the dough it is good to excellent value. I find that by blending this whiskey with an equal mix of good 12-year-old blended scotch whisky and good bourbon of at least 5- years-old, you get a very rewarding and comprehensive flavor profile.
EDGAR , Australia
4 years ago
Poor man's Pappy Van Winkle
Very sweet easy drinker, reminds me of a $40.00 shot of Old Pappy Van Winkle that I had at a cigar bar in LA several years ago. I would say it's a poor man's Pappy. Not quite in the same league,but similar enough. Much sweeter than Makers mark and Larceny.
BD , United States
5 years ago
Pleasant
Inoffensive, lovely rounded taste with that distinct biscuit note you get with wheaters, along with a hint of maple. Not much complexity but very enjoyable to drink. Personally Weller Special Reserve is better for slightly cheaper though.
Master of Malt Customer
5 years ago
Oooh this is gooood!
If you love the sweetness of a bourbon then this is a must. A melt in your mouth drink. Smooth from the smell to the taste to the finish. Very nice.
Andrew M , United Kingdom
9 years ago
Beautifully different
Wonderful, smooth, full of tastes (sweet, nutty, some wood) and a very different experience than Scotch or bourbon. A really long, satisfying finish...hints of autumn smoke...or a southern hickory wind...beautifully.
Master of Malt Customer
10 years ago
Captai U.S. NAVY RET
Bought my first bottle last week . Impressed . Will likely buy more soon.
Master of Malt Customer
10 years ago
Good but pricey
Undoubtedly a finely crafted whiskey. Nice oak notes. It has that sweet nuttiness that I've always enjoyed in Rye whiskey but not so much of the spiciness. Also not as syrupy sweet as many maize based bourbons, which I like. The only shame is the price. For £30-35 I'd definitely buy again. For £50.... maybe not.
Master of Malt Customer
10 years ago
A nice change of pace
If you are a bourbon lover, you should give Bernheim Original a try. This whiskey has some bourbon like qualities. I am guessing that there is a fair amount of corn in the mash bill. This has an easy and soft delivery but is fairly complex. Finish is dry with a very very slight sweet note at the end.
Master of Malt Customer
11 years ago
Chris' Review
A rich, sweet and smoky nose with that cotton candy/ candy floss wheat character, some chocolate orange and sweet coconut. Big, bold vanillins leading into burnt caramel. The rye grains add a late nip.

On the palate the oak sets out it’s stall with a definite toasty character along with candy floss and grippy rye building to a mouth watering mentholated finish with a pretty almost coastal finish,. Pleasant but lacks the complexity of say William Weller.
Master of Malt Customer
14 years ago
The ONLY straight wheat whiskey
I purchased this bottle for two reasons: the great looks and the name (as I live in Bernheim Avenue, altough the Bernheim of my street has nothing to do with Bernard Bernheim of the distillery, but it's a nice thought). I have tried several bourbons and wheat & rye whiskies before, but this is my first straight wheat whiskey.

That shouldn't come as a surprise, for Bernheim Original is the ONLY straight wheat whiskey on the market. It was introduced in 2005 and - as far as I was able to ascertain - quite a following. It's full name is Bernheim Original Kentucky Straight Wheat Whiskey.

Bernard Bernheim was a German immigrant who - together with his brother - founded the Bernheim Distillery in the 19th Century. This straight wheat whiskey is produced at the well-respected Heaven Hill Distillery in honour of Bernard Bernheim.

Bernheim Original exudes quality when looking at it. On the nose it's butter initially, then gently turning to toast and some spiciness. Makes you feel like standing in the bakery on a Sunday morning, ready to take home some croissants. Appetising!

On the palate, it's softer and less syrupy than one would expect. You immediately taste oak and buttered corn with a hint of toffee. But no bite at all, despite the spices obvious in the nose. This is a very soft whiskey.

The finish is very clean, but unfortunately very short as well.

This is a very sweet and mild whiskey with no bite at all. I like it a lot!

Mark - Whivie.be
Master of Malt Customer
14 years ago