Wheatley Vodka 750ML

Wheatley Vodka 750ML is a 10-times-distilled, triple-filtered American craft vodka bottled at 41% ABV (82 proof) from Buffalo Trace Distillery in Frankfort, Kentucky. It earned an Extraordinary/Ultimate Recommendation rating (95–100 points) at the 2021 Ultimate Spirits Challenge — a remarkable achievement for a vodka at this price tier.

Quick Facts: ABV: 41% (82 Proof)  |  Origin: Frankfort, Kentucky, USA  |  Style: Wheat & Corn Craft Vodka  |  Distillery: Buffalo Trace Distillery

Production & Heritage

Buffalo Trace Distillery, one of the oldest continuously operating distilleries in the United States, has been producing spirits in Frankfort, Kentucky since 1775. Wheatley Vodka is named after Master Distiller Harlen Wheatley, who spent over a decade developing the recipe. The production process begins with two separate grain recipes — one built around corn, the other around red winter wheat — each distilled seven times independently before being merged and distilled an additional three times through a one-of-a-kind micro-still. The spirit then undergoes triple filtration using locally sourced limestone-filtered Kentucky water, a resource the distillery shares with its renowned bourbon program.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Pure and crisp on the nose, opening with clean grain and a whisper of fresh bread dough. Subtle floral and soft citrus notes develop as it breathes.

Taste: The entry is remarkably soft and round, with the wheat component delivering a natural, gentle sweetness. Mid-palate, delicate vanilla notes emerge alongside hints of soft citrus, giving way to a balanced, clean center. The 82-proof strength provides just enough body without any harsh ethanol bite.

Finish: Smooth and refined, with lingering warmth and subtle undertones of vanilla and cinnamon. The finish is medium in length and clean, leaving no oily or astringent residue.

How to Drink Wheatley Vodka

Wheatley performs well chilled and sipped neat, where its soft wheat character and natural sweetness are most apparent. The slight bump to 82 proof (above the standard 80) gives it enough backbone for cocktails without overwhelming delicate ingredients. A Vodka Martini showcases its clean, refined texture and subtle vanilla — keep the vermouth light to let the spirit speak. A Moscow Mule benefits from the vodka's round mouthfeel, which tempers ginger beer's spice. A Cosmopolitan pairs naturally here, as the soft wheat sweetness complements cranberry and citrus without competing.

Best For

• Bourbon drinkers curious about what Buffalo Trace can do with vodka
• Hosting cocktail nights where a versatile, higher-proof base spirit is needed
• Gifting a spirits enthusiast who appreciates craft production stories
• Blind tastings comparing American craft vodkas in the sub-premium tier

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Wheatley Vodka taste like? Wheatley Vodka has a clean, crisp profile dominated by soft vanilla, gentle citrus, and a natural wheat sweetness. The mouthfeel is notably round and smooth, with a warm cinnamon-tinged finish.

How does Wheatley Vodka compare to Tito's? Both are American craft vodkas in a similar price range, but Wheatley is distilled 10 times using two separate grain recipes (corn and wheat) versus Tito's corn-based, six-times-distilled approach. Wheatley's dual-recipe blending and slightly higher 82 proof tend to produce a softer, more textured mouthfeel compared to Tito's leaner, more neutral character.

Is Wheatley Vodka good for sipping neat? Yes — the 10 distillations and triple filtration produce a remarkably clean spirit with enough subtle flavor to reward neat sipping, especially when served chilled. Its soft wheat sweetness and vanilla undertones make it more interesting than many vodkas consumed straight.

Where is Wheatley Vodka made? Wheatley Vodka is produced at Buffalo Trace Distillery in Frankfort, Kentucky, situated along the Kentucky River. The distillery uses locally sourced limestone-filtered water, the same natural resource that has supported its bourbon production since 1775.

What foods pair well with Wheatley Vodka? Smoked salmon or cured fish — the clean spirit cuts through richness without masking delicate flavors. Fresh oysters on the half shell complement its crisp minerality. Soft cheeses like brie or fresh chèvre echo the vodka's round, creamy texture. Light canapés with cream cheese and dill match its subtle herbaceous notes. Dark chocolate with a high cacao percentage plays off the faint vanilla and cinnamon warmth on the finish.

What sizes does Wheatley Vodka come in? Wheatley Vodka is widely available in the standard 750ML bottle, and can also be found in 1.75L handles depending on market availability.

Is Wheatley Vodka worth the price? Wheatley positions as a value-tier craft vodka that punches well above its weight — its 95–100 point rating at the 2021 Ultimate Spirits Challenge and Gold Medal at the 2022 San Francisco World Spirits Competition suggest quality that competes with vodkas at significantly higher price points.

Why Wheatley Vodka?

The dual-recipe production method is genuinely unusual in the vodka world: two distinct grain bills distilled separately seven times, then combined and distilled three more times through a proprietary micro-still. That 10-distillation, triple-filtration process is not marketing shorthand — it reflects Harlen Wheatley's decade-long development effort and yields a spirit with measurably more texture and character than standard column-distilled vodkas. The 2021 Ultimate Spirits Challenge Extraordinary rating (95–100 points) and 2022 San Francisco World Spirits Competition Gold Medal confirm that the production complexity translates to the glass. For drinkers who associate Buffalo Trace exclusively with bourbon, Wheatley Vodka demonstrates the distillery's broader distilling expertise at a price point that makes repeated buying easy to justify.