Have you tried any craft whiskey from Ohio?
This week Jim Shannon and Big Chief review Cleveland Whiskey Wheat Penny bourbon, thanks to their good friend Steve Johnson.
At Cleveland Whiskey Company they are pushing the boundaries of convention by creating extraordinary whiskeys finished with wood other than oak and not only in a barrel, natural flavors without sugar or syrup and no artificial color. Their Wheat Penny Bourbon was finished with toasted oak and black cherry wood. The black cherry wood adds a rich texture and well rounded palate. Light flavor from the cherry wood with a slightly tart, slightly sweet spice note
We hope you enjoy the review and be sure to catch the podcast episode on your favorite platform. Cheers!
Tasting Notes: Wheat Penny Bourbon
Vital Stats: This is a non-age stated whiskey but we know from their website that the barrels are less than six months old before the finishing process. The mash bill is 51% corn, 45% wheat and 4% malted barley that comes in at 94 proof. It has an MSRP for $37.99.
Appearance: A neat bottle with a wheat penny on the top of the cork. Dark amber bourbon inside.
Nose: Rich with oak. Smokey with cooked fruits.
Palate: Sweetness off the toasted oak. Some drying and granny smith apple tart notes. Toffee like a heath bar. Sizzling spice hits you in the middle and end.
Finish: Medium with a nice Kentucky hug.
Overall: If your into wheated and toasted bourbons, this is a nice expression. It is still unbalanced without the extra notes and that may be due to its age. Still, for us, it’s a buy if you’re from Ohio or a coin collector.
If it is labeled as a bourbon, under the law , it must be at least three years old.
Hi Mike,
Thank you so much for checking out The Bourbon Road website! We certainly hope you are also listening into the podcast via your favorite app! The legal definition of bourbon does not carry an age requirement. There are actually 6 things that make Bourbon a Bourbon:
– It is produced in the United States
– It is made from at least 51% corn
– It is distilled at 160 proof or below
– It is put into a new, charred oak container
– It is put into a container at 125 proof or below
– It contains no added substances other than water
While age does not come into play in regards to calling a whiskey bourbon, it does come into play regarding how some bourbons can be labeled/named. To be named a Kentucky Bourbon, it must be aged for at least 1 year (in the state of Kentucky).. To be named a Straight Bourbon, it must be aged for a minimum of 2 years. If it is aged less than 4 years, the age statement must be present somewhere on the labeling.
Thanks again for visiting the site! We hope you enjoy it, find it useful, and we love feedback!