Reservoir Distillery 100% Wheat Whiskey Review & Tasting Notes

 

Wheat Whiskey is an interesting animal. Wheat typically has no taste when distilled, and as such, it takes on the characteristics of everything else it interacts with. The legal requirement is 51% or more wheat content.  Like Bernheim out of Heaven Hill, I've had some that hit the barely legal mark of 51%. I've had some, like Dry Fly, which goes full-tilt at 100% wheat. With lower wheat content, you have more control over what happens and can offer some consistency. With 100% wheat, that's almost out the window. Sure, the newmake itself matters, but the wood becomes even more critical than it is with nearly any other type of whiskey.

Today I'm reviewing Reservoir Distillery's 100% Wheat Whiskey. I've reviewed whiskey from Reservoir before - the last time was their Bourbon made with 100% corn. You can read that here and learn more about it and the distillery overall. They have three core products:  the Bourbon is 100% corn, the Rye is 100% rye, and the Wheat, well, you get the idea. Each batch is a single-run, so there will be more diversity from batch to batch.

"With a 100% wheat mash bill, our Wheat Whiskey is the softest of our three expressions and unique to any other American style whiskey on the market. Our wheat produces a buttery, savory, and smooth spirit that proves to be an excellent introductory whiskey." - Reservoir Distillery

The wheat is sourced from a farm within 45 miles of the distillery. The mash ferments in open tanks, and when ready, it is pot distilled. The newmake is poured into quarter casks using a proprietary alligator char, where it rests for at least two years. Reservoir selected a respectable 100° for bottling.

I'd like to thank a friend for providing me with a sample of this whiskey in hopes that I would review it. This was Batch 6 from 2020. Time to #DrinkCurious and find out what this is all about!

• Whiskey Type: Wheat Whiskey
• Distiller: Reservoir Distillery
• Age: NAS
• Mashbill: 100% wheat
• Cooperage: New, charred Quarter casks
• Alcohol Content: 50% ABV (100°)
• Price per 750mL: $80.00

Appearance:  Poured neat in my Glencairn glass, this whiskey was a definitive burn umber in color. It made a thin rim, and thick, wavy legs fell back to the pool of liquid sunshine.

Nose: The first aroma to hit my nostrils was pecan. That was joined by custard, orange peel, something flowery, oak, and fresh sawdust. When I inhaled through my lips, I found caramel.

Palate: As the liquid moved past my lips, I was impressed by how soft it was. There was no heat, and it was creamy on my palate. I initially tasted plum and oak. From there, it was an anise bomb. The black licorice flavor was so overwhelming that I couldn't pick anything else out off the palate.

Finish: On the mouthfeel, I said there was no heat. Well, forget that. The finish was hot with cinnamon red hots and char. And, just like the palate, the rest was anise. It was long-lasting, much more so than I would have wanted.

Bottle, Bar, or Bust:  This is an opportunity for full disclosure. I hate black licorice. I can handle it in small doses, but I have great difficulty concentrating on anything else when it becomes the dominant flavor. Try as I might, I couldn't get past the anise. The heat from the cinnamon seemed to amplify it. 

For my palate, I'd give this an easy Bust rating. No whiskey needs to be this anise-heavy. That's why God invented Sambuca and Absinthe. Cheers!

My Simple, Easy to Understand Rating System

• Bottle = Buy It
• Bar = Try It
• Bust = Leave It

Whiskeyfellow encourages you to enjoy your whiskey as you see fit but begs that you do so responsibly.