Wheated Bourbon Blind Tasting | Old Elk vs Buffalo Trace vs Redwood Empire vs Spirits of French Lick

Aug 29

Wheated Bourbon Blind! Who Wins When We Don’t Know What We’re Drinking?

On this episode of Tortured Bourbon, Heather and B dive into a full wheated bourbon blind tasting—a lineup that puts Old Elk, Buffalo Trace Kosher Wheat Recipe, Redwood Empire Screaming Titan, and Spirits of French Lick against each other without labels, hype, or secondary-market prices to guide the way.

Wheated bourbon has a cult following. From the obsession over Pappy Van Winkle bourbon to the constant chase for Weller bourbon releases, this softer, sweeter style has become one of the most in-demand categories of Kentucky bourbon. But the beauty of a blind tasting is that reputation doesn’t matter. Can Heather and B actually tell Buffalo Trace from Redwood Empire? Will Old Elk’s high-wheat mash bill stand out? Or will Indiana’s Spirits of French Lick steal the spotlight?

🥃 The Wheated Bourbon Lineup

Old Elk Wheated Bourbon

Distillery: Old Elk (Fort Collins, Colorado)
Mash Bill: 51% corn, 45% wheat, 4% malted barley
Proof: 92
MSRP: ~$70
Notes: Caramel, vanilla custard, soft oak, hint of toffee

Buffalo Trace Kosher Wheat Recipe

Distillery: Buffalo Trace (Frankfort, Kentucky)
Mash Bill: Undisclosed, believed same as Weller
Proof: 94
MSRP: ~$40
Notes: Vanilla, almond, citrus, oak spice

Redwood Empire Screaming Titan Wheated Bourbon

Distillery: Redwood Empire (Sonoma County, California)
Mash Bill: 51% corn, 45% wheat, 4% malted barley
Proof: 100
MSRP: ~$80
Notes: Honey, graham cracker, orchard fruit, cinnamon finish

Spirits of French Lick Wheated Bourbon

Distillery: Spirits of French Lick (West Baden Springs, Indiana)
Mash Bill: 70% corn, 20% wheat, 10% malted barley
Proof: ~90–100 (varies by batch)
MSRP: ~$55
Notes: Butterscotch, toasted grain, floral undertones

🍞 Why Wheated Bourbon?

Unlike traditional mash bills that use rye, wheated bourbon replaces rye with wheat as the secondary grain. This swap softens the profile: less spice, more sweetness, often described as “breadier.” That’s why the wheated style powers icons like Pappy Van Winkle bourbon and Weller Special Reserve. Collectors chase them, secondary prices skyrocket, and shelves stay empty. But today’s blind proves you don’t need a $2000 bottle to enjoy a stellar wheated bourbon.

🎥 The Blind Bourbon Showdown

With four mystery pours in front of them, Heather and B sip, argue, and second-guess themselves while Producer Katie delights in their confusion. Blind tastings like this strip away marketing bias. You can’t lean on the Buffalo Trace name or the hype around Redwood Empire—you’ve got to trust your palate.

Who wins? The verdict may surprise you. The softer, sweeter style shows up in different ways depending on proof, mash bill, and barrel aging. Sometimes the underdog bottle wins the night.

🥃 Why Follow Tortured Bourbon?

We’re here for the bourbon lovers who want more than just “smooth” and “burn.” From allocated bourbon chases to craft distillery gems, we review it all—honestly, playfully, and with a little banter. Subscribe on YouTube, follow us on socials, and visit torturedbourbon.com for full blogs and merch.

Watch the full episode here: 👉 Wheated Bourbon Blind Tasting on YouTube

Cheers, y’all.