Two-in-One: Bernheim Barrel Proof A223 and B923

Double Header: Bernheim Barrel Proof A223 and B923

Cost: $65 for 750mL bottle MSRP for each (I’m reviewing samples)

Age: 7-9 years

Mash Bill: 51% wheat, 37% corn, 12% malted barley

Being partial to wheated bourbons (and having not tried many wheat whiskeys) as well as a pretty big fan of Heaven Hill products in general, I’ve been keeping an eye out for Bernheim Barrel Proof since it was first released last year. However, after looking for it locally for over a year and having no luck, I decided it was time to get a sample from someone who had access to them. Enter u/Bailzay! Thank you for the samples! I’m really looking forward to trying this finally and figured since I had the opportunity to try both, 2023 batches, I might as well try them head-to-head!

Reviewed neat in a Glencairn.

Bernheim Barrel Proof Batch A223

Proof: 118.8

Appearance: Walnut brown (1.8) with medium, slow legs and a nice bead ring around the glass.

Nose: A sweet, proofy heat up front but backed up with a dollop of honey, confectioners sugar, cherry pie filling, and a chocolate fudge sauce. This is a very sweet smelling dessert pour.

Palate: On the front end I’m picking up a lot of vanilla, a little black pepper and cinnamon, and brown sugar. As it transitions towards the finish, I start picking up a little buttered graham crackers sprinkled with cinnamon and sugar. This is not nearly as sweet as the nose, but more balanced. Mouthfeel is a little astringent, which makes it feel thin, but it coats the palate well.

Finish: Slightly tannic oak, burnt brown sugar, and a general brightness that isn’t well explained by the notes I’m picking up. It’s a shorter finish than B923 and less complex. It’s pleasant, but leaves me wanting a little more after the fantastic nose and palate.

Rating: 7.5/10

Bernheim Barrel Proof Batch B923

Proof: 120.4

Appearance: Walnut brown (1.8). Unlike A223, this batch does not even start showing legs until the beads finally coalesce and form fat, slow legs. This thing looks super thick!

Nose: Not nearly as astringent as A223. There’s a little more bread and butter vibes and even a slight clove note that balances out the sweetness a little more than in A223, but otherwise still quite sweet.

Palate: Unlike A223, I’m picking up kind of a minty, herbal note pretty quickly, but it disappears just as quick as I find it. Vanilla cola, leather, peppery oak, and baking spices. This is much more balanced than A223, but not quite as fun. The mouthfeel is more oily than A223.

Finish: It’s a medium to long finish with dominating notes of peppery oak and caramel. I haven’t picked up on any red fruit flavors in the nose or on the palate, but I am getting a slight strawberry/cherry (bright red fruit) note here at the end. This has a mild hug and a slight bite at the back of the tongue.

Rating: 7.6/10

Overall: If I’m being honest, I was expecting to rate these higher than most ECBP options because I’m generally fond of sweeter pours. However, while both of these were very solid, I would take an ECBP pour over one of these 9 times out of 10. While these were sweet, not quite as much as I was expecting. After the nose, both had quite a bit more balance and aged notes to them on the palate and finish.

Thanks again to u/Bailzay for these samples! I really enjoyed both and as Heaven Hill fan, I was happy to finally try each of these. If the Bernheim Barrel Proof goes the route of ECBP, then give it a few years an every single one of these Bernheim Barrel Proof (can we call them BBP?) expressions will be extreme value picks (they’re already basically there).

1 | Disgusting | ...I've not subjected myself to this level

2 | Poor | ...I've not subjected myself to this level

3 | Bad | High West Double Rye, Jefferson's Ocean 28

4 | Sub-par | Weller's SR, Woodford Reserve Distiller's Select

5 | Good | Buffalo Trace, Sazerac Rye, Green River Wheated

6 | Very Good | Blanton's, Holladay Bourbons, Widow Jane Decadence

7 | Great | Baker's 7yr SiB, WhistlePig PiggyBack SiB, 1792 BiB

8 | Excellent | Most ECBP batches, JD SiB BiB, High West MWND Act 11

9 | Incredible | Barrel Bourbon Batch T8ke, BBC DS #7, Four Roses OESQ

10 | Perfect | Found North Batch 08