Ben Holladay 6YO Soft Red Wheat Rickhouse Proof Missouri Bourbon 59.8%

When Ben Holladay's head distiller begins the process of crafting a batch of Ben Holladay or Holladay Soft Red Wheat, he blends bourbon from different barrels and tastes them in their original form – at Rickhouse Proof. Each expression of Holladay Rickhouse Proof is bottled at the exact proof from the bourbon barrel yield after a minimum of six years aging in one of the original Holladay Rickhouses. No two releases will ever be exactly the same, but every bottle of Rickhouse has one important commonality – full proof, full flavour.

Using wheat in a bourbon mash bill often results in a softer and sweeter taste profile than a bourbon made with rye, which typically adds spice to the palate. Soft Red Wheat has lower protein levels, red bran, and minimal gluten compared to other classes of wheat. Bourbons crafted with Soft Red Wheat offer a soft, smooth finish just as the name suggests.

It is also classified as a Real Missouri Bourbon under a 2019 law requiring that any whiskey labelled as Missouri bourbon must not only meet the federal standards for bourbon, but also be mashed, fermented, distilled, aged, and bottled in the state; aged in oak barrels manufactured in the state; and—beginning January 1, 2020—made with corn exclusively grown in the state.

The Holladay Distillery was founded in 1856, making it both the oldest distillery in the state of Missouri and the oldest distillery west of the Mississippi still operating on its original site. The property sits on active limestone springs that were first charted by Lewis and Clark in 1804, more than fifty years before Ben Holladay purchased the land that would later become his legacy.

Tasting Notes:

Nose: Caramel and apple sweetness layered with cranberry brightness, subtle herbal graininess, and a touch of barrel char.

Palate: Rich notes of prune, stewed cherries, and molasses balanced by leather, hibiscus, and a grounding touch of barrel char.

Finish: Baking spice and black pepper lead into dry seasoned oak and firm tannins, with lingering dark red fruit.

"The nose features aromatic spice aromas (ginger, cinnamon, clove, nutmeg) mingling with fresh black cherries, and a hint of leather. The palate is rich and refined, with flavours matching the nose along with fresh red berries and a subtle caramel sweetness. The finish is a tad hot as expected with a high proof whiskey, but the flavours don't fizzle out, lingering sweetly on the palate." - Amanda Schuster, Distiller (90 Points)

"While I haven’t had enough time to review the wheated bottled-in-bond version, Ben Holladay Rickhouse Proof has wow’ed me with an extremely competent wheated bourbon. This is a competitor to Maker’s Mark in every sense." - Mike, The Bourbon Culture

"This bourbon is a sleeper hit. It’s bold, balanced, and criminally underhyped. Honestly, if this had a fancier label and came out of Kentucky, people would be reselling it for double on the secondary. But that’s what makes Holladay great — no gimmicks, just damn good whiskey. The Rickhouse Proof Soft Red Wheat is a standout, but if this is your intro to Holladay’s lineup, keep going." - Shane Bernham, Brown Water Review

"To say I’m impressed with Holladay Distillery is an understatement. Having tasted both recipes (wheat and rye bourbon) and nearly every expression, I can attest they’re doing things right. I suppose it only makes sense when your master distiller’s inspiration is Jimmy Russell ... Move over, Maker’s Mark Cask Strength. Watch out, Weller Full Proof. Holladay Distillery’s Soft Red Wheat Rickhouse Proof has the depth and complexity of a serious contender. Given national distribution, this could very well be a game-changer." - RareBird101

Mash Bill: Corn 73% / Wheat 15% / Barley: 12%