Ben Holladay Soft Red Wheat Bourbon 750ML

Ben Holladay Soft Red Wheat Bourbon 750ML is a 100-proof bottled-in-bond wheated bourbon produced at Missouri's oldest distillery, bottled at 750ml and 50% ABV. Rated A- by Drinkhacker and winner of Best First Release at the 2022 Whiskey Ring Awards, this expression stands out for its use of soft red winter wheat — a grain variety with lower protein and minimal gluten that delivers a distinctly pillowy, fruit-forward character uncommon among wheated bourbons.

Quick Facts: ABV: 50% (100 Proof)  |  Origin: Weston, Missouri, USA  |  Bottled-in-Bond (6+ Years)  |  Distillery: Holladay Distillery (Est. 1856)

Production & Heritage

Holladay Distillery in Weston, Missouri, was established in 1856 and holds the distinction of being the oldest distillery west of the Mississippi River still operating on its original site. The Soft Red Wheat Bourbon is made in the original stillhouse using a mashbill of 73% corn, 15% soft red winter wheat, and 12% malted barley. It comes off the still at a relatively low 120 proof and enters Missouri white oak barrels at 118 proof — a deliberately restrained distillation approach widely regarded as producing a smoother, more flavorful spirit. The barrels age onsite in iron-clad rickhouses for a minimum of six years before bottling under the strict Bottled-in-Bond designation, meaning this is the product of a single distiller in a single distilling season.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Toffee leads the nose, followed by a wave of red and purple fruits — think ripe strawberry and raspberry. Behind the fruit sits a soft floral quality, vanilla cake, and a slightly herbal, light woodiness that adds depth without domination.

Taste: The entry is notably chewy with a pillowy mouthfeel that immediately sets it apart from rye-forward bourbons. Mid-palate brings soft wood tones intertwined with red fruit sweetness — strawberries dipped in powdered sugar is an apt description. Creamy vanilla builds toward the peak alongside baked apples and cinnamon, creating a sugar-coated fruit character that feels generous but not cloying.

Finish: Rich milk chocolate emerges on the finish, lingering alongside buttercream and baking spices. The spice factor ramps up considerably here, adding a warming complexity that balances the earlier sweetness and carries for a satisfyingly long close.

How to Drink Ben Holladay Soft Red Wheat

At 100 proof, this bourbon rewards neat sipping — the soft wheat character and chewy texture come through best at full strength, though a few drops of water can open up the floral and fruit aromatics further. On the rocks, the toffee and vanilla notes become more pronounced as the ice slowly dilutes. For cocktails, the fruit-forward profile works well in an Old Fashioned, where the red fruit sweetness plays beautifully against an orange peel expression. A Boulevardier gains richness from the milk chocolate and baking spice finish. A Brown Sugar Bourbon Sour highlights the vanilla cake and toffee qualities while the citrus cuts through the creamy mouthfeel.

Best For

• Fans of wheated bourbon exploring beyond mainstream options like Maker's Mark or Weller
• Gifting a whiskey enthusiast who appreciates bottled-in-bond heritage and distillery provenance
• Adding a distinctive Missouri-made bourbon to a curated home bar collection
• After-dinner sipping alongside chocolate-based desserts or fruit tarts

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Ben Holladay Soft Red Wheat taste like? This bourbon leads with toffee and creamy vanilla sweetness, followed by prominent red fruit notes of strawberry and raspberry, baked apples, and cinnamon. The finish shifts toward rich milk chocolate, buttercream, and warming baking spices.

How does Ben Holladay Soft Red Wheat compare to Maker's Mark? Both are wheated bourbons, but Ben Holladay comes in at a higher 100 proof versus Maker's Mark's standard 90 proof, delivering more intensity and a chewier mouthfeel. The fruit profiles also differ — Maker's Mark leans toward cherry notes while Ben Holladay tilts toward apple and strawberry.

Is Ben Holladay Soft Red Wheat good for sipping neat? Yes — the bottled-in-bond 100-proof strength carries substantial flavor, and the soft wheat mashbill produces a pillowy, creamy mouthfeel that makes it approachable even at higher proof. A few drops of water can further open the floral and fruit aromatics.

Where is Ben Holladay Soft Red Wheat made? It is produced at Holladay Distillery in Weston, Missouri, the oldest distillery west of the Mississippi River still operating on its original site since 1856. The bourbon is distilled, aged, and bottled entirely onsite.

What foods pair well with Ben Holladay Soft Red Wheat? Dark chocolate truffles complement the milk chocolate finish; pork belly or smoked ham plays against the toffee and baking spice; sharp cheddar balances the creamy vanilla sweetness; pecan pie mirrors the caramel and nutty undertones; and fresh berry tarts echo the prominent red fruit character.

What sizes does Ben Holladay Soft Red Wheat come in? The standard offering is a 750ml bottle at 100 proof (50% ABV).

Is Ben Holladay Soft Red Wheat worth the price? Ben Holladay positions as a premium wheated bourbon — bottled-in-bond at 100 proof with a six-plus-year age statement and an uncommon soft red winter wheat grain bill. Within the wheated bourbon category, it delivers distinctive character and verifiable craft credentials that justify its positioning above entry-level expressions.

Why Ben Holladay Soft Red Wheat?

The defining differentiator here is the grain itself: soft red winter wheat carries lower protein levels and minimal gluten compared to other wheat varieties, producing a measurably softer, more pillowy texture that you can feel from the first sip. Combine that with a deliberately low distillation proof of 120 and a barrel entry proof of just 118 — well below industry norms — and you get a bourbon that retains more congener complexity from the fermentation stage through final maturation. The Drinkhacker A- rating and 2022 Whiskey Ring Best First Release award validate what the liquid delivers: a wheated bourbon with genuine provenance from a distillery that has been making spirits on the same ground for over 165 years. In a crowded wheated bourbon market, Ben Holladay earns its place by doing something genuinely different with its raw materials and production approach.