An unusual Texas wheat whiskey with subtle flavors, surprising complexity, and a finish that has plenty to say.
Proof: 100 (50% ABV)
Age: The bottle lists the age as 2.41 years. Not two years, not two and a half. Exactly 2.41 years. John has always done things a little differently at Wilson Valley Mercantile. Maybe it's the farmer in him.
Price: $80
Mash Bill: 51% Hard Red Winter Wheat, 34% yellow corn, and 15% winter oats
Production: Grown, distilled, aged, and bottled by Wilson Valley Mercantile
Availability: Exclusively at the distillery
The Story: From Seed to Sip
Wilson Valley Mercantile has released its first Texas Hard Red Wheat Whiskey, and it's an interesting departure from the bourbons and other whiskeys we've come to expect from Texas distilleries.
This is a limited release, but according to John at Wilson Valley, it won't be the last. Additional batches are planned for the future, which has me particularly interested in seeing how this whiskey develops with a little more time in the barrel.
For those unfamiliar with Wilson Valley Mercantile, they have a pretty unique story. They describe themselves as Texas's first "seed-to-sip" distillery since Prohibition.
And they mean it.
The grains are grown right there on their ranch, where they're mashed, fermented, distilled, aged, and eventually bottled. It's an impressive level of control over the entire whiskey-making process, from the field to your glass.
If you're interested in visiting Wilson Valley Mercantile, keep an eye on Texas Whiskey Geek. I'll have a full distillery guide coming soon, covering the ranch, the tasting room, and what to expect when you visit.
The Nose
The nose is crisp, fresh, and surprisingly vegetal.
Freshly peeled apples come to mind first, followed by green bell peppers. There's a dusty oak note in the background, along with a touch of honey and cocoa powder.
It's an unusual combination of aromas, with the fresh vegetal notes playing against the softer sweetness.
The Taste
The first sip is surprisingly subtle.
The whiskey starts off mild and fresh, without any one flavor immediately jumping out. As it moves across the mid-palate, honey and vanilla bring a gentle sweetness.
But the finish is where things get interesting.
Cherry and mint emerge toward the back end, bringing a much stronger burst of flavor than the opening sip might lead you to expect.
It's a whiskey that starts quietly and finishes strong.
And the more time I spend with it, the more those flavors seem to build.
Final Thoughts: Is it worth $80
I'm picking up quite a few vegetal notes and subtle fruit flavors in this whiskey, and what makes it interesting is how those flavors build and evolve as you drink it.
I don't think this is a whiskey you can adequately explore in just a sip or two. I'm not even convinced one pour is enough.
There are a lot of little layers here to pick apart, and some of them take their time revealing themselves.
If you're primarily a bourbon drinker, this might not be something that immediately appeals to you. It doesn't deliver that familiar punch of caramel, vanilla, and oak that many bourbon drinkers are looking for.
But if you enjoy the weird and interesting side of whiskey, there's plenty here to keep you occupied.
Personally, I'm enjoying this one. It's different, it's intriguing, and it has kept me coming back to see what else I can find.
That said, at $80 a bottle, I think I'll hold off on buying another until Wilson Valley releases a more mature version.
I'm genuinely curious to see what another year or two in the barrel might do for this whiskey.
And that's probably the biggest compliment I can give it. I'm already looking forward to tasting what comes next.
If you're interested in learning more about Wilson Valley Mercantile or planning a visit, check out their official website. And keep an eye on Texas Whiskey Geek. I'll have a full distillery guide coming soon.
Explore More Texas Whiskey
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