Bernheim 10 Year 20th Anniversary Whiskey 750ML

Bernheim 10 Year 20th Anniversary Whiskey 750ML is a limited 115-proof (57.5% ABV) straight wheat whiskey from Heaven Hill Distillery, bottled at 750ml to mark two decades of the Bernheim line. As one of the first truly new American whiskey styles introduced since Prohibition, this 10-year-aged expression showcases what happens when a wheat-forward mashbill meets extended maturation in Kentucky's traditional rickhouses.

Quick Facts: ABV: 57.5% (115 proof)  |  Origin: Bardstown, Kentucky, USA  |  10 Year Age Statement  |  Distillery: Heaven Hill

Production & Heritage

Heaven Hill Distillery, founded in 1935 in Bardstown, Kentucky, stands as one of the largest independent, family-owned spirits producers in the United States. The distillery has been recognized as Whisky Magazine's Distiller of the Year eight times in the past five years, including 2024 and 2023, and earned Most Awarded Distillery honors from the San Francisco World Spirits Competition in both 2024 and 2025. The Bernheim Original wheat whiskey debuted as the first straight wheat whiskey released in America since Prohibition, built on a distinctive mashbill of 51% soft winter wheat, 37% corn, and 12% malted barley. This 20th Anniversary release spent a full decade aging in new charred American oak barrels within Heaven Hill's traditional rickhouses, considerably longer than the standard Bernheim expression, allowing deeper oak integration and grain complexity at a muscular barrel-proof strength of 115 proof.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Cinnamon and baking spices arrive first, layered with vanilla and toasted oak. Underneath, waves of dark honey and brown sugar add a caramelized sweetness that signals the wheat-forward grain bill.

Taste: The entry is silken despite the high proof, delivering rich molasses and butterscotch across the mid-palate. As it develops, browned butter and brown sugar emerge alongside deeper cinnamon notes, with the wheat's inherent softness keeping the barrel proof in check. The 10 years of oak contribute structure without overwhelming the grain character.

Finish: A peppery warmth builds steadily, lingering with spice and balance. The finish is long and drying, with residual dark honey sweetness gradually giving way to toasted oak and a gentle wheat-grain warmth.

How to Drink Bernheim 10 Year

At 115 proof, this expression rewards a slow, deliberate pour — neat in a Glencairn glass to fully appreciate the wheat grain's silky texture, or with a few drops of water to open the butterscotch and baking spice layers. An Old Fashioned with this whiskey delivers a richer, rounder version of the classic thanks to the wheat-forward softness and barrel-proof intensity. A Whiskey Sour benefits from the molasses depth and peppery finish, which hold up against citrus without losing complexity. A Manhattan made with Bernheim 10 Year swaps the typical rye bite for a velvety, dessert-leaning profile that pairs naturally with sweet vermouth.

Best For

• Gifting a serious American whiskey collector looking for limited or anniversary bottlings
• Side-by-side tastings comparing wheat whiskey against wheated bourbon or rye
• After-dinner sipping on cool evenings when a high-proof, full-bodied pour is welcome
• Adding a rare and distinctive bottle to a home whiskey library

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Bernheim 10 Year taste like? Bernheim 10 Year leads with molasses and butterscotch wrapped in baking spices, moving through browned butter and dark honey to a long peppery finish. The wheat-dominant mashbill gives it a noticeably silkier, rounder texture than most American whiskeys at comparable proof.

How does Bernheim 10 Year compare to Michter's 10 Year Bourbon? Both are decade-aged Kentucky whiskeys known for refined, well-integrated oak and a sweetness that never feels forced, but Bernheim is a straight wheat whiskey (51% wheat mashbill) while Michter's 10 is a bourbon (corn-dominant). The grain difference gives Bernheim a softer, more pillowy mouthfeel against Michter's richer caramel and char character.

Is Bernheim 10 Year good for sipping neat? Yes — despite its 115-proof strength, the wheat-forward grain bill delivers a notably silken palate that many drinkers find approachable neat, though a splash of water helps unlock the full range of honey, butterscotch, and spice.

Where is Bernheim 10 Year made? Bernheim 10 Year 20th Anniversary is distilled and aged at Heaven Hill Distillery in Bardstown, Kentucky, one of the largest family-owned and operated distilleries in the United States.

What foods pair well with Bernheim 10 Year? Pecan pie complements the brown sugar and butterscotch notes; smoked pork belly mirrors the whiskey's dark honey sweetness; aged Gouda echoes the caramelized richness; dark chocolate with sea salt plays off the peppery finish; and cornbread with honey butter aligns with the wheat grain's inherent softness.

What sizes does Bernheim 10 Year come in? The Bernheim 10 Year 20th Anniversary release is available in the standard 750ml bottle size.

Is Bernheim 10 Year worth the price? This expression positions as a premium limited-edition release within the American whiskey category, carrying a 10-year age statement at barrel proof — details that place it above entry-level and mid-shelf offerings. For collectors and enthusiasts seeking a rare straight wheat whiskey with significant age, the value proposition is strong relative to comparably aged and proofed limited releases from major Kentucky distilleries.

Why Bernheim 10 Year?

Straight wheat whiskey remains one of the rarest categories in American spirits, and Bernheim pioneered it as the first new style released since Prohibition. This 20th Anniversary bottling amplifies everything distinctive about the original — the 51% winter wheat mashbill, the silky mouthfeel, the caramelized sweetness — by doubling down on age and presenting it at an uncut 115 proof. Ten years in new charred oak allows the soft wheat grain to absorb deep barrel character without turning tannic, a balance that corn- and rye-heavy whiskeys achieve differently. Produced by Heaven Hill, a distillery with an unmatched recent track record of industry recognition, this limited release represents a category-defining whiskey at its most mature and concentrated.