Meeting #14: April ‘25 - Wheat Night Bardstown, Maker’s Mark, Old Elk

April's meeting was a smooth dive into wheated bourbons, featuring three pours that had us all savoring the sweeter side of life. Wheaters tend to deliver a sweeter and softer experience, as opposed to the spice and bite of ryes. They are crowd pleasers, and are a great go-to for new and seasoned sippers alike. We saw consistent 3+ scores throughout the group.

Our menu consisted of Bardstown Wheated, Maker’s Mark 46 Cask Strength, and Old Elk Wheated 8-Year. Let’s jump right into the reviews!

#1) Bardstown Wheated (Bardstown, KY) 

106 proof / $50 / 53% Corn, 39% Wheat, 8% Malted Barley

HF Avg: 3.4

NOSE: Sweet, baking spices, honey, butterscotch (opens up after a few drops of water)

TASTE: Apricots, cinnamon, honey and butterscotch

FINISH: Medium to long finish, with lingering cinnamon, sweetness, and oak

Bardstown continues to impress, and their Origin Series continues to be an excellent value. Unfortunately, Bardstown isn’t available in PA state stores, but if you’re traveling, this one is a must-grab. It’s sweet and well-balanced, with a bit of spice to keep things interesting. At an average score of 3.4, it’s clear the club was impressed by this one.

#2) Maker’s Mark 46 Cask Strength (Loretto, KY) 

109.4 proof / Approx. $60 / 70% Corn, 16% Wheat, 14% Malted Barley 

HF Avg: 3.46

NOSE: Caramel apple sweetness, vanilla cream

TASTE: Dark, sweet vanilla, with a nice oaky backbone

FINISH: Medium-length, dry oak finish

Classic Maker’s sweetness is on full display here, but the cask strength elevates this one. Additionally, Makers 46 specifically adds seared French oak staves into the aging barrel.  It’s bold and rich, with that familiar soft wheat character that Maker’s Mark is known for. The tour at the distillery comes highly recommended if you ever get the chance to visit!

#3) Old Elk Wheated 8-Year (Fort Collins, CO)

100 proof / 8 Years / Approx. $100 / 45% Wheated 

HF Avg: 3.43

NOSE: Sweet, caramelized brown sugar, softer than the others

TASTE: Soft and smooth, caramel, slight hint of pear

FINISH: Pleasant oaky smokiness that lingers

I’ve noticed that Old Elk sometimes gets mixed reviews amongst bourbon lovers. I knew of them, but hadn’t tried their stuff until tonight. My opinion - this 8-year wheater does not disappoint. Sweet and balanced profile with a nice subtle smoky finish. $100 is a bit more expensive, but you can sometimes catch it on sale as low as $50, which is an awesome deal! Keep your eyes out for it.

We’ve got another exciting tasting lined up for May 8th, so mark your calendars and bring your palates ready for another round of great pours. See you all then!