Bernheim 10 Year 20th Anniversary Whiskey 750ML

Bernheim 10 Year 20th Anniversary Whiskey 750ML is a limited barrel-strength Kentucky wheat whiskey aged ten years and bottled at 115 proof (57.5% ABV) to celebrate two decades of the Bernheim brand. Produced by Heaven Hill Distillery in Bardstown, Kentucky, Bernheim holds the distinction of being America's first wheat whiskey — meaning wheat serves as the majority grain in the mashbill rather than corn or rye. This 20th anniversary release extends the aging well beyond the standard seven-year expression, delivering amplified depth and concentration at barrel-proof strength.

Tasting Notes:

Aroma: The nose opens with toasted wheat bread and warm caramel, followed by deeper layers of dark honey, charred oak, and a subtle thread of dried apricot. A faint whiff of baking spice — cinnamon and clove — emerges as the whiskey breathes in the glass.

Taste: The palate entry is deceptively soft for its proof, with honeyed wheat and butterscotch giving way to roasted oak and bittersweet chocolate at the mid-palate. The texture is full-bodied and almost oily, coating the mouth with concentrated grain sweetness balanced by firm tannic structure. Extended aging brings out a noticeable depth of dried fruit and toasted almond that the standard release only hints at.

Finish: Long and warming with lingering charred oak, espresso, and a dusting of black pepper. The 115 proof delivers a satisfying heat that builds gradually rather than spiking, with residual sweetness anchoring the close.

How to Drink Bernheim 10 Year 20th Anniversary Whiskey:

At 115 proof, this wheat whiskey rewards a slow pour — try it neat first, then add a few drops of water to open up the honeyed grain character hiding beneath the barrel strength. It brings exceptional weight and complexity to an Old Fashioned, where the wheat-forward sweetness replaces the need for excess sugar. A barrel-proof Manhattan made with this whiskey and sweet vermouth produces a remarkably smooth, dessert-like cocktail. For a simpler approach, pour it over a single large ice cube and let it evolve as the dilution gradually softens the proof.

Best For:

• Sipping neat or with a splash of water at barrel strength
• Wheat whiskey collectors seeking limited anniversary releases
• Full-proof Old Fashioneds and barrel-strength Manhattans
• Gifting to American whiskey enthusiasts exploring beyond bourbon

Frequently Asked Questions:

What does Bernheim 10 Year 20th Anniversary Whiskey taste like? It delivers rich honeyed wheat, butterscotch, and charred oak on the palate with a full-bodied, almost oily texture and a long finish marked by espresso, dark chocolate, and lingering warmth from its 115 proof.

How does Bernheim 10 Year compare to the standard Bernheim Original 7 Year? The 20th Anniversary release is aged three years longer and bottled at a significantly higher proof — 115 versus the standard 90 proof — resulting in a denser, more concentrated flavor profile with deeper oak influence and richer caramel and dark fruit character.

Is Bernheim 10 Year good for sipping neat? Absolutely, though its 57.5% ABV means a few drops of water can help reveal additional layers of sweetness and grain complexity that the barrel strength initially holds back. This is a whiskey built for slow, deliberate sipping.

Where is Bernheim 10 Year 20th Anniversary Whiskey made? It is produced at Heaven Hill Distillery in Bardstown, Kentucky, one of the largest American whiskey operations in the country. Heaven Hill ages its whiskey in traditional rickhouses using new charred oak barrels, and the Bernheim line uses a wheat-forward mashbill rather than the corn-dominant mashbill typical of bourbon.

What foods pair well with Bernheim 10 Year 20th Anniversary Whiskey? The honeyed sweetness and oak depth complement smoked brisket, pecan pie, dark chocolate truffles, aged Gouda, and maple-glazed pork belly. Its wheat-grain character also works surprisingly well alongside freshly baked sourdough with salted butter.

Why Buy Bernheim?

Heaven Hill introduced Bernheim Original in 2005 as the first American wheat whiskey on the market, establishing an entirely new category at a time when bourbon and rye dominated the shelf. The distillery's Bardstown campus houses one of the largest aging inventories of American whiskey in the world, giving the production team access to exceptional aged stock for limited releases like this. Bernheim's wheat-forward mashbill sets it apart from nearly every other straight whiskey on the market, offering a softer grain foundation that takes on oak differently than corn or rye. This 20th anniversary bottling represents two decades of category leadership, released at full barrel proof with a decade of maturation — a combination that underscores Heaven Hill's commitment to the expression.