This is the new Bernheim 20th Anniversary, a 10-year age-stated version of their Kentucky Straight Wheat Whiskey. I’ve heard rumors that this 10-year version actually beats out the Barrel Proof releases, so I was hyped to see how the extra age handled the 115 proof.

The Specs

• Age: 10 Years
• Proof: 115
• Price: ~$85
• Mashbill: 51% Wheat, 37% Corn, 12% Malted Barley

Nose

Surprisingly rich. Wheat whiskey can sometimes be a bit one-note, but this is loud. It has a heavy, creamy caramel vibe, very similar to those chewy Sugar Daddy or Sugar Babies candies. It honestly smells like a concentrated Halloween candy basket. There’s a mellow, sugary sweetness that totally hides the 115 proof.

Palate

Even better than the nose. It hits with honey sweetness on the tip of the tongue, but then the complexity kicks in. We usually call rye the "spicy" grain, but this wheat whiskey brings a massive, balanced spice blend. Think cinnamon and sugar without any of the medicinal clove or anise notes. It’s significantly more robust than any Larceny Barrel Proof or standard Bernheim BP I’ve tried.

Finish

Medium to long. The proof finally shows up here, but it lingers in a delicate, smooth way that matches the overall "mellow" profile.

Bang for Your Buck

At $80-$85, it’s delivering a premium experience that actually matches the price tag. If Bernheim tasted like this more often, I’d be buying it constantly. The problem is availability; it’s disappearing the second it hits shelves, but for good reason.

Final Thoughts

This is one of the best things I’ve tasted all year and a serious contender for my Top 10 of 2026. The only downside is that it’s a limited anniversary release. Heaven Hill has a real winner here; I just hope this inspires them to make a permanent age-stated, high-proof Bernheim product. The standard lineup is often overlooked, but this expression shows exactly what their wheat distillate can do when it’s given enough time in the wood.

Score: 8.5/10

(This bottle was featured on the Bourbon Bytes Podcast. Listen to the full episode here.)

For this week’s review, I’m looking at a fun one from right here in California: a single barrel select of Redwood Empire’s Haystack Needle from K&L Wine and Spirits.

This release is a bit unique because it’s actually distilled and bottled at their own distillery. It’s an eight-year, seven-month pick, distilled grain-to-glass in Northern California, bottled without chill filtration at a natural cask strength of 119 proof.

The Specs

• Age: 8yr 7mo
• Proof: 119
• Price: $130
• Mashbill: 72% corn, 18% rye, 5% wheat, 5% malted barley (Four Grain)

Nose

Surprisingly bright with a lot of fruitiness. With this being over eight years old, I expected a heavy oak presence up front, but it’s actually very jammy, reminiscent of a raspberry pastry filling. I saw others mentioning strawberry shortcake, and holy moly, they are spot on. That red fruit note is massive.

Palate

The palate follows the nose closely. It’s juicy and sweet, and the 119 proof is dialed in perfectly. The heat enhances a certain "mouth tingle" that really mimics the sensation of biting into a fresh strawberry.

The oak finally shows up here as a solid background note. It’s a dark, bitter quality that works exactly like dark chocolate does with a candied cherry. It’s easily some of the richest and most flavorful bourbon I’ve had come out of California.

Finish

The finish hangs around for quite a while. It lingers with those brighter, sweeter notes that make this one of the most interesting pours I’ve had all year.

Bang for Your Buck

I’ll be honest: at $130, I was hesitant. It’s pricey for a relatively youthful craft bourbon. However, now that I’ve spent time with it, I think it’s worth the money. Redwood Empire’s own distillate has finally come of age, and this pick shows exactly where that distillery can shine. It’s a bit of a splurge, but it gets points from me for the quality.

Final Thoughts

I’m really looking forward to seeing how this whiskey handles even more age, because it’s holding up beautifully right now without being over-oaked. It feels like it’s developing a unique characteristic that might actually define the "California Whiskey" profile. I’m here for it.

If any of you have grabbed one of these Haystack Needle picks, let me know if you’re getting that same strawberry note or if I’m just gushing over a lucky barrel.

Score: 8.5/10

(This bottle was featured on the Bourbon Bytes Podcast. Listen to the full episode here.)

This is Edition 01 of the new Knob Creek Blender's Edition, which specifically targets a sweeter flavor profile.

The Specs

• Age: 10 Years
• Proof: 106
• Price: ~$45

Nose

This smells similar to regular Knob Creek, but far less oaky. The sweetness hits right up front; along the lines of a vanilla-scented candle rather than the darker, richer caramel bakery notes I usually get from Jim Beam. There's a creamed corn sweetness that compliments the vanilla, followed by a bright, sugar-coated cranberry note. The signature oak and char are still there, just on the back burner.

Palate

I’m glad they kept this at a higher proof for the core audience rather than dropping it down. It’s sweet, but more of a slight nuance compared to regular Knob Creek. It honestly reminds me of some of those discontinued Jim Beam bottlings like the Distiller's Cut or the Repeal Batch, but with a clear Knob Creek character. You get bold vanilla right up front with a nice nuttiness behind it. It's definitely more elevated than the standard 9-year.

Finish

Medium in length. It hits right where it needs to be and finally brings up some of those darker oak and char notes on the back end that weren't at the forefront of the palate.

Bang for Your Buck

At $45, it sits perfectly between standard Knob Creek and the Single Barrel Reserve picks. I'm glad this isn't some crazy expensive $800-$100 release; it gives me a way to try different Beam blends at a very reasonable price without stepping into Booker's territory.

Final Thoughts

This is a hit from Knob Creek. While it’s a solid neat pour, the real kicker is that it is an incredible cocktail whiskey. I've used almost half the bottle exclusively in Old Fashioneds and Manhattans, and it stands up to every single one. It’s definitely a shelf recommendation: buy it once, and if you love spirit-forward cocktails as much as I do, you'll probably buy multiples.

Score: 8/10

(This bottle was featured on the Bourbon Bytes Podcast. Listen to the full episode here.)