# Wheated Bourbon: The Softer Side of Whiskey
If you've heard bourbon people talk about "wheated" bottles with a reverent tone, here's what they mean: instead of using rye as the secondary grain, these bourbons use wheat. That one swap changes the whole personality of the whiskey.
What Does "Wheated" Actually Mean?
Remember the mash bill — the grain recipe. Most bourbons use rye as the flavoring grain alongside corn. Wheated bourbons replace that rye with wheat. Everything else stays the same: still at least 51% corn, still aged in new charred oak.
It's a simple change with a big impact. Rye brings spice and bite. Wheat brings softness and roundness. Take out the rye, put in wheat, and you get a gentler, smoother bourbon.
Only a handful of distilleries make wheated bourbon as their signature style, which is part of why these bottles have such a loyal following.
What Does It Taste Like?
Wheated bourbons are known for being soft, smooth, and approachable. Expect honey, vanilla, soft caramel, and baked bread notes. The finish tends to be gentle rather than spicy — no peppery kick, no sharp edges.
That's not to say they're bland. A good wheated bourbon has plenty of depth — it's just a rounder, warmer kind of depth. Think comfort food versus hot sauce. Both great, different moods.
If you've ever found regular bourbon a little too spicy or aggressive, wheated is worth a try. It's the easiest-drinking style in the bourbon world.
The Famous Wheated Bourbons
Maker's Mark is the one most people meet first. It's everywhere, it's affordable, and that red wax top is unmistakable. A solid, honest wheated bourbon.
Weller is the one that drives people crazy. Made by Buffalo Trace with the same wheat recipe as the legendary Pappy Van Winkle, Weller bottles are famously hard to find. The Special Reserve and 107 are the ones to hunt for.
Larceny comes from Heaven Hill and might be the best value in the category. Small Batch is easy to find and easy on the wallet, and the Barrel Proof version is a legitimate powerhouse.
Old Fitzgerald is Heaven Hill's other wheated line, sold mostly as bottled-in-bond releases. Beautiful bottles, serious whiskey, and a favorite among collectors.
Why Is Wheated Bourbon So Popular?
Part of it is the Pappy effect. Pappy Van Winkle — the most hyped bourbon on earth — is wheated. That halo shines on every other wheated bottle, especially Weller, which shares its recipe.
But it's not just hype. Wheated bourbons genuinely drink well. They're approachable for beginners and rewarding for experienced drinkers. That combination of smooth flavor and scarcity story makes them irresistible.
Fair warning: the popular ones can be hard to find at retail price. Don't overpay on the secondary market for a bottle you haven't tried. Start with the affordable ones.
Should You Try Wheated Bourbon?
If you're new to bourbon, absolutely. Wheated bottles are the gentlest introduction to the category — all the caramel and vanilla sweetness without the rye spice that can put beginners off.
Start with Maker's Mark or Larceny Small Batch. Both are widely available and reasonably priced. If you like what you taste, then start hunting for Weller.
And if you're already a rye-spice lover? Try one anyway. Good food, good bourbon, good company — and sometimes the softest pour in the room is the one everyone reaches for second.