Calling all Wheaters

[Merrymash Monk]

There aren't a lot of wheaters available in my area. And I've never been impressed by MM, so haven't really had much experience in tasting them. But recently was able to get a OVW10 107proof. If this is just the entry level in the VW line, now I know what all the fuss is all about. The 10yo is a very tasty whiskey! So now I'd like to broaden my experience with the wheaters. Would appreciate any comments/suggestions about the following that I can order- a fairly limited selection to be sure, but here it is:

Old Fitz VSpecial, Old Fitz 1849, OWA107, and OWR 7yr.

Thanks.

[squire]

I wouldn't call it the entry level Van Winkle, rather the pick of the lot. Years ago before they became so much in demand I chose the 10/107 over the other VW Bourbons. Still do.

Of the ones you listed I would order the Old Fitzgerald Very Special.

Edited January 5, 2014 by squire

[Flyfish]

Add Weller 12 to your list. And Larceny, too. There are variations in wheaters as in rye bourbons. You might even consider some Berheim Wheat Whiskey just to see what happens when you go all the way. Then some Mellow Corn to see what happens in a totally different direction. Damn! There's lots of good stuff out there!

Edited January 5, 2014 by Flyfish

[fishnbowljoe]

Larceny is another. A HH product that sits nicely in between MM and the Wellers.

[qman22]

Of the choices you listed I would pick the VS Old Fitz with the OWA 2nd. The VSOF is a little expensive, but it is a nice aged wheater and there aren't too many of those around.

[Merrymash Monk]

Add Weller 12 to your list. And Larceny, too. There are variations in wheaters as in rye bourbons. You might even consider some Berheim Wheat Whiskey just to see what happens when you go all the way. Then some Mellow Corn to see what happens in a totally different direction. Damn! There's lots of good stuff out there!

[Merrymash Monk]

gman,

I can get OFVS for $33 vs $40 for the VW10 that i got. Not cheap, but if its good then well worth it.

Edited January 5, 2014 by Merrymash Monk

[Clavius]

Bernheim is available and I plan on trying it to get the full wheat experience.

[Merrymash Monk]

I wouldn't call it the entry level Van Winkle, rather the pick of the lot. Years ago before they became so much in demand I chose

the 10/107 over the other VW Bourbons. Still do.

Of the ones you listed I would order the Old Fitzgerald Very Special.

[White Dog]

Bernheim is not a wheater.

There would be more Wheaters on the market if the decision makers in Kentucky didn't have a bias against them.

[mosugoji64]

I would give a nod to the 1849. Had a bottle of that about a year ago that was very tasty. That will give you a good feel for the HH wheater profile and let you know if you should spend more for the VSOF.

[Merrymash Monk]

I would give a nod to the 1849. Had a bottle of that about a year ago that was very tasty. That will give you a good feel for the HH wheater profile and let you know if you should spend more for the VSOF.

Not a bad idea. This one costs less than half the price of the VSOF.

[Red One]

Have you tried Makers 46? I know you said you're not fond of MM but I do find this one to be a bit of a step up from MM.

[Merrymash Monk]

Have you tried Makers 46? I know you said you're not fond of MM but I do find this one to be a bit of a step up from MM.

No I can't say as I've tried it yet. My understanding is they put 10 charred staves into the barrel to give it more barrel influence.

[smknjoe]

I wouldn't call it the entry level Van Winkle, rather the pick of the lot. Years ago before they became so much in demand I chose the 10/107 over the other VW Bourbons. Still do.

Of the ones you listed I would order the Old Fitzgerald Very Special.

+1 ORVW 107 is my favorite out of all of the VW's (and I've had all of the current iterations except the 23.) Too bad it was going for close to $70 around here this year. I like OWA as a substitute. It's rougher and can vary from bottle to bottle, but you will see the similarities to the ORVW. Larceny is a step up from Maker's for sure. The only VSOF I have is from the BHC and it's really good too. Nothing like Weller 12, which is my least favorite wheater. WSR is not bad. It's simple and sweet caramel that's very easy to drink. It's sort of like what MM would be if it didn't taste so watered down (even though they are the same proof.) Of course, this is just my opinion.

[squire]

To speed up the aging, or at least to give it more barrel influence.

[luther.r]

No I can't say as I've tried it yet. My understanding is they put 10 charred staves into the barrel to give it more barrel influence.

The staves are French oak though, which should impart some cognac-like flavors in theory.

[Red One]

The staves are French oak though, which should impart some cognac-like flavors in theory.

Also, a little higher proof. I like it, but full disclosure, I like MM, too, but rarely keep a bottle on my bar. I'm fine with it if it's the best I can get when I'm out.

[squire]

French Oak, yeah, gotta shell out the big bucks for that. Oh, wait a minute, we use American Oak for Bourbon.

[JPBoston]

Have you tried Makers 46? I know you said you're not fond of MM but I do find this one to be a bit of a step up from MM.

I was just about to say the same thing.

I recently was gifted MM46, I had avoided it till now because I'm not all that fond of MM.

But 46 is a BIG step up, and actually reminds me of ORVW107.... kinda like a 94 proof, younger version... but the profile matches a bit. (There it is, another wheater compared to VW.. I shame myself, and at the same time seal 46's fate)

I think you should give that a shot if possible... it's available year round and only $25 (here, anyway)

Sent from my XT907 using Tapatalk

Edited January 5, 2014 by JPBoston

[GaryT]

I would skip WSR. I'd try all of the others though. I like OF 1849 - different type of profile than OWA. VSOF is nice stuff as well.

[Merrymash Monk]

+1 ORVW 107 is my favorite out of all of the VW's (and I've had all of the current iterations except the 23.) Too bad it was going for close to $70 around here this year. I like OWA as a substitute. It's rougher and can vary from bottle to bottle, but you will see the similarities to the ORVW. Larceny is a step up from Maker's for sure. The only VSOF I have is from the BHC and it's really good too. Nothing like Weller 12, which is my least favorite wheater. WSR is not bad. It's simple and sweet caramel that's very easy to drink. It's sort of like what MM would be if it didn't taste so watered down (even though they are the same proof.) Of course, this is just my opinion.

Thanks for your take on these pours, Joe. Sounds like you're pretty familiar with them all.

[Merrymash Monk]

I was just about to say the same thing.

I recently was gifted MM46, I had avoided it till now because I'm not all that fond of MM.

But 46 is a BIG step up, and actually reminds me of ORVW107.... kinda like a 94 proof, younger version... but the profile matches a bit. (There it is, another wheater compared to VW.. I shame myself, and at the same time seal 46's fate)

I think you should give that a shot if possible... it's available year round and only $25 (here, anyway)

Sent from my XT907 using Tapatalk

Thanks for the suggestion. At $25 I'd definitely give it a shot. But here MM46 is $39, just a buck less than OVW 10yo 107.

[Merrymash Monk]

I'd like to try the Larceny when I can get it: Probably the next time I'm in Massachusetts. But for now I think I'll order the VSOF and OWA 107.

Thanks again for all the responses and suggestions.

[hn4bourbon]

I'd like to try the Larceny when I can get it: Probably the next time I'm in Massachusetts. But for now I think I'll order the VSOF and OWA 107.

Thanks again for all the responses and suggestions.

You should order the W12 as well if you're ordering OWA107 for purposes of experiencing the SB blend.