The Best Wheated Bourbon In America—According To The 2025 International Wine & Spirit Competition

First, a quick primer for the uninitiated: What exactly is a wheated whiskey? In the simplest terms, it’s a bourbon or American whiskey where wheat replaces rye as the secondary grain in the mash bill. That might sound like a minor tweak, but it has a profound impact on the final product. While rye typically delivers a spicier, peppery kick, wheat tends to impart a softer, sweeter and often creamier mouthfeel, bringing forward notes of caramel, vanilla and sometimes fruit or baked goods.

The 2025 International Wine & Spirits Competition just announced the results in their Wheated Bourbon Whiskey category, and it’s clear these aren’t just easy drinkers; they’re top-tier bottles helping to shape the future of American whiskey. One bottle landed on top, bringing home a Gold Outstanding medal by scoring 98 points, and five others were awarded Gold Medals for scoring 95 points or higher. All highlight the fantastic possibilities for the Wheated Whiskey category moving forward.

O.H. Ingram River Aged Whiskey Uncharted Kentucky Wheated Bourbon Whiskey

O.H. Ingram River Aged Whiskey has leaned into an unusual method for crafting its whiskeys. Drawing on their family’s five-generation history of operating barges and tugboats on the Mississippi River, they age their whiskeys on a floating rickhouse on the Mississippi River. The constant motion and unique climate exposure accelerate maturation, enabling more interaction between the barrel and the juice. Its Uncharted Kentucky Wheated Bourbon Whiskey is not yet available to the public and appears to be a test project. Let’s hope it is in the market soon. The judges loved it.

Here is what they had to say about it: The bouquet sings with juicy jam aromas interlaced with floral honey, maple, and oak spice. A mouthwatering palate reveals a harmonious blend of marzipan, cinnamon, and vanilla, finishing with a creamy, chocolatey warmth that lingers delightfully.

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