Bernheim Original 20th Anniversary 10 Year is a limited-release Kentucky straight wheat whiskey from Heaven Hill, aged 10 years, bottled at 115 proof, with an MSRP of $84.99. This is not a bourbon. The mashbill leads with soft winter wheat instead of corn, which makes it a straight wheat whiskey by federal definition.

This is one of those bottles that makes whiskey nerds stop and pay attention for a second. Heaven Hill is celebrating 20 years of Bernheim Wheat Whiskey, which matters because when Bernheim launched in 2005, it helped carve out a real lane for wheat whiskey in a category that was almost entirely corn. This anniversary release is the tribute. Limited small batch. 10 years old. 115 proof. Straight wheat whiskey. They wanted this one to feel like an occasion and the packaging reflects that, copper plate on the front and all.

From a bottle-info standpoint, this thing checks a lot of boxes before you ever pull the cork. Ten years old. 115 proof. Kentucky straight wheat whiskey. A commemorative limited release with the copper plate on the front to let you know they wanted this one to feel like an occasion. MSRP was set around $84.99, which means if you found it close to that number, you were at least in the right neighborhood before the tasting even started.

The wax on this thing came off shockingly easy. Nice pop. Tons of smoke on the fresh crack. Love to see it.

Tasting Notes

Nose: Sweet, nutty, almost creamy despite sitting at 115 proof. Baked apple, baking spices, and a vanilla creaminess that reminds me of Werther’s Swirls. You know the ones with the caramel and cream swirled together. That is exactly what is happening here. Older oak presence without any of that harsh tannin quality that can make aged whiskeys feel aggressive. It just smells refined.

Palate: Vanilla and baked apple carry right through from the nose. The oak is prominent but presents as an oiliness rather than a bitterness. No tannin bite anywhere in this sip. A faint grape note shows up toward the back end which is interesting and a little unexpected. The warmth from the 115 proof hits in the chest, not on the palate, and sits in that comfortable warm zone rather than that uncomfortable heartburn territory I genuinely hate. Speaks to how well this whiskey was put together.

Finish: Caramel cream carries all the way through with a little pepper at the end and a warmth that lingers without overstaying its welcome.

How It Compares

Best comparison I can come up with off the top of my head is Michter’s 10. Not a wheated bourbon obviously but that same level of refined, well-integrated oak with a sweetness that never feels forced. High praise and I mean it.

Inside the wheated category though it sits in its own lane. Weller Full Proof is the closest reference point a lot of people will reach for, and it is the easiest way to understand what Bernheim 20th is not. Full Proof is 114 proof, NAS, wheated bourbon. Corn-led with wheat as the secondary. Cherry, caramel, brown sugar profile. Bernheim 20th is 115 proof, 10 years old, wheat-led, no corn in the driver’s seat. Baked apple, vanilla cream, refined oak. Same proof neighborhood, completely different whiskey. If you like the texture of a well-aged wheater without the bourbon sweetness running the show, this is the one.

Verdict

Bernheim Original 20th Anniversary 10 Year is worth buying at or near its $84.99 MSRP. At that price it plays in the same refinement tier as Michter’s 10 and offers something almost nothing else in the wheated category is doing at this age statement and proof point.

At $84.99 I would buy this again without hesitation. Mine were priced at $87.99 and I am still totally stoked I have two. If you see one at or near that price point this is a no-brainer buy. Limited release though, so don’t sleep on it expecting it to be there next week.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Bernheim 20th Anniversary a bourbon?

No. Bernheim Original 20th Anniversary 10 Year is a Kentucky straight wheat whiskey, not a bourbon. Bourbon requires at least 51% corn in the mashbill. Bernheim uses soft winter wheat as the primary grain, which classifies it as a straight wheat whiskey by federal definition.

What is the MSRP for Bernheim 20th Anniversary?

MSRP is $84.99. Anything at or near that number is a buy. It is a limited release, so shelf time will be short.

How does Bernheim 20th Anniversary compare to Weller Full Proof?

Bernheim 20th is a 10-year, 115 proof, wheat-led whiskey. Weller Full Proof is a NAS, 114 proof, wheated bourbon with corn as the lead grain. Same proof neighborhood, completely different flavor profile. Bernheim leads with baked apple, vanilla cream, and refined oak. Full Proof leads with cherry, brown sugar, and caramel. Different tools for different moods.

How does Bernheim 20th Anniversary compare to Michter’s 10?

Bernheim 20th is the closest stylistic cousin to Michter’s 10 on my shelf right now. Different category, Michter’s 10 is bourbon and Bernheim 20th is wheat whiskey, but the level of integrated oak, the refinement, and the no-tannin-bite experience on the palate lands in the same tier.

Cheers.