BOTTLE DETAILS

• DISTILLER: West Fork Whiskey
• MASH BILL: 73% Corn | 17% Wheat | 10% Rye.
• AGE: 4+ Years Old
• YEAR: 2024
• PROOF: 100 (50% AVB)
• MSRP: $44.99
• BUY ONLINE: West Fork Whiskey Online Shop

BRENT’S NOTES

SHARE WITH: Any bourbon drinker.

WORTH THE PRICE: Yes. This is West Fork distillate as well, not another sourced and repackaged product. It’s also a Bottled in Bond Wheated Bourbon. There are not many Wheated BiB Bourbons available to begin with and this one is cheaper than almost all of them. When you consider what many other craft distilleries are charging in this current climate, this bottle is more than a fair value.

BOTTLE, BAR OR BUST: Bottle. If you’re looking to try something new and not from one of the big distilleries, give this one a try. West Fork Whiskey is currently available on the shelves in IL, IN, FL, CO, and DC, but you can also purchase it online via the link above. I’m told that distribution will expand to 10 states in 2025.

OVERALL: West Fork Whiskey Co. prides itself on their use of Indiana corn in their products. All of their mash bills are corn heavy. It’s kind of their identity and they are damn proud of it. Co-founder Blake Jones told me that when they started this brand, they wanted to differentiate themselves from the Kentucky distilleries while still being as authentic as possible. They wanted to stay true to their roots and you can’t get more Indiana than corn. Maybe basketball and car racing, but I don’t really see how you can base the identity of your distillery on either of those things.

The nose is surprisingly sweet with notes of sweet corn and cherry pie filling dominating the glass. Think of a Hostess Cherry Pie. I was blown away by how sweet this was. This is not your typical craft bourbon.

This one is light on the palate and the sweetness makes it very easy to sip. Vanilla and red cherry are the dominant flavors. It has a bit of a thin mouthfeel and a short finish but there is a much bigger Kentucky hug than I expected. I also expected more heat or burn on the palate from a Bottled in Bond craft bourbon, but it seems that all the heat with this one shows up in your chest. All in all, this is a great bourbon that is just as comfortable in a Glencairn as it would be in an Old Fashioned or Manhattan. Factor in that this is a wheated, Bottled in Bond bourbon from a craft distiller for $45 and you’d be hard pressed to find something similar with as much flavor as this one. Do yourself a favor and give this one a try.

BRAND NOTES

WHEATED BOTTLED IN BOND is a distinguished bourbon that embodies the rich heritage of American whiskey craftsmanship. Crafted according to the stringent standards of the Bottled in Bond Act of 1897, this bourbon is a testament to quality and authenticity. With a mash bill predominantly featuring corn and wheat, it offers a smooth and mellow taste profile, marked by notes of caramel, vanilla, and a hint of spice. Perfect for enthusiasts and connoisseurs alike, West Fork Wheated Bottled in Bond stands as a true example of traditional bourbon excellence.

Disclaimer: Bourbon & Banter received a sample of this product from the brand for review. We appreciate their willingness to allow us to review their products with no strings attached. Thank you.