Shady Mile Wheat Bourbon Review

By Douglas Fraser

Rating: B-

Shady Mile Wheated Bourbon
(Credit: Shady Mile)

Shady Mile is said to be made (sourced) from the tenth oldest distillery in the state of Kentucky, and named after a point in the country roads where bootleggers met to conduct business and have a sip of whiskey. The whiskey is known to come from Owensboro, and Green River Distillery is licensed as DSP-KY-10, so that is probably where the “10th oldest” claim comes from. If that connection of the dots isn’t the right answer, then it would be very interesting to see what they mean by that.

The Bourbon
The mashbill consists of 70% corn, 21% wheat, and 9% malted barley. The wheated bourbon is aged in new charred oak barrels, entering the barrel at 120 proof and bottled at 90 proof/45% ABV. It should be considered wheat lover’s dream, however it does seem to be a bit off balance. This could be from the age, as it does not appear to be refined.

Color: Gold

The nose starts with sweet corn up front then fades to notes of coffee cake, wheat bread, vanilla, red berries, granola, and tobacco. The palate is rather nutty and tannic with mellow notes of brown sugar, cereal, angel food cake, corn bread, and some hints of citrus fruits. The finish is long and lingering together with fading fruitiness, with notes of almonds and tobacco.

The Price
Shady Mile Wheat Bourbon can be found for $30.