Middle West Spirits Wheated Bourbon 750ML is a 95-proof (47.5% ABV) four-grain bourbon from Columbus, Ohio, aged a minimum of four years in fresh white American oak. Also known as the Michelone Reserve, this expression earned Best in Show and a perfect Century Award of 100 points at the 2024 Pr%f Awards — a remarkable achievement for any craft distillery.Quick Facts: ABV: 47.5% (95 Proof) | Origin: Columbus, Ohio, Ohio River Valley | Minimum 4 Years | Distillery: Middle West SpiritsProduction & HeritageMiddle West Spirits was founded in 2008 in Columbus, Ohio, and began commercial production in 2010. The Wheated Bourbon uses an unconventional four-grain mashbill of 68% non-GMO yellow corn, 16% Ohio soft red winter wheat, 11% dark pumpernickel rye, and 5% malted two-row barley — a combination rarely seen in American whiskey. The dark pumpernickel rye is the defining departure from standard wheated bourbons, introducing a soft, earthy spice that layers alongside the wheat's sweetness rather than competing with it. Maturation takes place in fresh white American oak barrels for no fewer than four years before bottling at a robust 95 proof without chill filtration claims.Tasting NotesAroma: The nose opens with ripe stone fruit and banana, followed by toffeed nuts and warm coconut. A second pass reveals brown sugar, maple, and ripe dates, with a faint undercurrent of baking spice from the pumpernickel rye.Taste: The entry is rich and honeyed, with dried apricot, vanilla, and toasted walnut arriving almost simultaneously. At mid-palate, heavy floral tones — particularly honeysuckle — emerge alongside caramel corn and sweet cream. Dark chocolate and coffee with cream develop toward the peak, balanced by a subtle dried fruit sweetness that keeps the oak in check.Finish: Medium-long and layered, trailing off with coconut cream pie, chocolate chew candy, and lingering caramel. A gentle warmth from the 95-proof strength carries soft baking spices through the close without any harshness.How to Drink Middle West Wheated BourbonAt 47.5% ABV, this bourbon rewards neat sipping at room temperature — the four-grain complexity unfolds gradually and responds well to a few minutes of rest in the glass. A single large ice cube tames the proof slightly and amplifies the coconut and stone fruit characteristics. Three cocktails where it performs particularly well: Old Fashioned: The brown sugar and toffee backbone stands up to bitters and provides natural sweetness that reduces the need for added sugar. Boulevardier: The honeysuckle florals and dark chocolate notes pair naturally with sweet vermouth and Campari, adding depth without excess heat. Paper Plane: The dried fruit and baking spice from the pumpernickel rye complement the amaro and Aperol in this equal-parts classic. Best For Bourbon enthusiasts exploring craft distilleries beyond Kentucky Gifting a whiskey lover who values unique mashbill composition Building an American whiskey collection with award-winning small-batch bottlings Side-by-side tastings comparing wheated bourbons across regions Frequently Asked QuestionsWhat does Middle West Wheated Bourbon taste like? It leads with honeyed stone fruit, toasted walnut, and vanilla, then develops into dark chocolate, caramel corn, and honeysuckle florals. The pumpernickel rye adds an earthy baking-spice dimension not typical of wheated bourbons.How does Middle West Wheated Bourbon compare to Maker's Mark? Both are wheated bourbons, but Middle West uses a four-grain mashbill including dark pumpernickel rye, while Maker's Mark uses a traditional three-grain recipe with red winter wheat and no rye at all. The result is a noticeably spicier, more complex profile at a higher proof (95 vs. Maker's Mark's 90).Is Middle West Wheated Bourbon good for sipping neat? Yes — the 47.5% ABV delivers full flavor intensity without excessive burn, and the layered tasting profile rewards slow, attentive sipping. Reviewers on Tastings.com rated it 90 points ("Exceptional"), underscoring its quality as a straight sipper.Where is Middle West Wheated Bourbon made? It is distilled and aged at Middle West Spirits in Columbus, Ohio, within the broader Ohio River Valley region. The distillery was founded in 2008 and has been producing spirits commercially since 2010.What foods pair well with Middle West Wheated Bourbon? Smoked pork belly complements the caramel and brown sugar sweetness. Dark chocolate truffles echo the cocoa and coffee notes on the palate. Aged Gouda mirrors the toffee and nutty character. Pecan pie amplifies the toasted walnut and vanilla. Stone fruit desserts like grilled peach cobbler align with the bourbon's prominent dried apricot notes.What sizes does Middle West Wheated Bourbon come in? The standard release is a 750ml bottle. Availability of other formats may vary by market.Is Middle West Wheated Bourbon worth the price? It positions as a premium craft bourbon, and the 100-point Century Award from the 2024 Pr%f Awards along with a Double Gold at the Berlin International Spirits Competition place it in strong company for its price tier. For drinkers seeking a distinctive four-grain wheated bourbon at barrel-proof-adjacent strength, it represents serious value relative to its accolades.Why Middle West Wheated Bourbon?The inclusion of dark pumpernickel rye in a wheated bourbon mashbill is genuinely unusual — it creates a flavor bridge between the caramel sweetness of wheat and the earthy spice of rye that few competitors attempt. A perfect 100-point score and Best in Show at the 2024 Pr%f Awards, combined with a Double Gold at the Berlin International Spirits Competition and a Gold from the Beverage Testing Institute, provide independent validation across multiple judging panels. At 95 proof with a minimum four-year age statement, the Michelone Reserve delivers the kind of intensity and structure that invites comparison to bottles priced well above its category. For anyone building a serious bourbon shelf, this Ohio-made release is a compelling argument that world-class wheated bourbon does not have to come from Kentucky.
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