Sucker for Soft Red

A Missouri Must-Try: Ben Holladay Soft Red Wheat

By Sip Wiselee

Weston, Missouri might not be the first place that comes to mind when you think of bourbon, but the team at Ben Holladay is working hard to change that, and their Soft Red Wheat Bourbon is a great example of local craft meeting quality execution.

Distilled and aged in a historic facility dating back to 1856, Ben Holladay’s wheated bourbon is part of a growing Missouri whiskey movement that’s earning national attention. It’s bottled-in-bond, which means it checks all the boxes for aging, distillation, and proof standards.

The mash bill leans soft with wheat taking the place of rye, creating a smooth and round flavor profile. On the nose, it’s a blend of honey, floral grain, and toasted almond. The taste is mellow, think vanilla wafers, baked apples, and a little cinnamon spice. It’s one of those bottles that doesn’t shout, it hums.

At around $50, this bottle is accessible and impressive. It’s the kind of pour that works neat, on ice, or in a crafted cocktail. If you’ve been exploring softer wheated bourbons, this is a perfect one to taste side-by-side with Larceny, Maker’s Mark, or Weller Special Reserve.

To explore more about Ben Holladay Distillery, visit holladaydistillery.com.

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