Whiskey Wednesday: Wheated Bourbons & Why You May Not Even Know You’re Sipping Them

Happy Wine & Whiskey Wednesday! Since we’re a wine and whiskey bar in Downtown Syracuse, we’ve decided it’s only fitting that we’re going to take some time each week to introduce you to the 50+ whiskeys and 60+ wines that we offer. This week, we’re featuring wheated bourbons in honor of our Whiskey Pairing Dinner that will take place at the restaurant tonight.

Wheated bourbons and whiskeys are known for their smoother, sweeter profiles, which makes for easy drinking. This profile is created by replacing the traditional rye grain with wheat in the mash bill. The substitution allows for a softer, rounder taste, often accentuating the caramel and fruity notes. The smoothness and sweetness of a wheated bourbon makes this the perfect choice for both newcomers and whiskey aficionados.

So, why do we say that you may not even know that you’re sipping a Wheated Bourbon? Well that’s because there is no legal requirement for distillers to advertise that the bourbon is wheated. Because of this, a lot of distillers don’t. But even if it’s not advertised, there are tasting notes that you can pay attention to in order to identify it as a wheated bourbon.

If it’s a mellow, smooth, easy-drink, then chances are it’s a Wheated Bourbon. Other flavors to look out for are spicier flavors like clove, nutmeg, and pepper with rye.

Although the owner of The Tasting Room, Nicole, is more of a wine gal herself, she’s acquired a taste for great whiskey, like our Wheated Bourbons. Here are her thoughts:

“I’m known for my love of great wines, but have expanded my palette to enjoy whiskeys. I really enjoy the lingering flavors well after the sip and can make a whiskey pour last the evening.  As the curator of our whiskey list – I do try them all and have discovered an appreciation for most styles – still working on Scotch to grow on me. A Wheated Bourbon would be a good starting point for someone wanting to get into whiskeys.”

So, if Wheated Bourbons have sparked your interest, head on down to our Syracuse restaurant and give our selection a try.

Here’s what we’ve got on our list right now:

Casey Jones Small Batch – new to our menu

Field & Sound Bottled-in-Bond

Larceny Small Batch

Woodford Reserve

View our full wine, whiskey & libations menu here.

Interested in learning more? You can read the full history and science behind wheated bourbons here.