I’d like to thank Heaven Hill for sending this sample with no strings attached.
Looking at that image above, you’d think that Spring had sprung here in Minnesota. And you’d have been forgiven for thinking that. Until today, we hadn’t had any measurable snow that actually stuck around this year. Heck, I was wearing shorts outside for most of the last month (don’t read too much into that—I just seem to be well adapted to the cold).
That all changed this morning when nearly a foot of heavy, wet snow dropped overnight. And I mean heavy. I fired up the big snowblower, and even that wasn’t enough to handle it in one pass. The plow ridge at the end of the driveway was a solid 18 to 24 inches high and about three feet deep—pure heart attack snow. But I can’t complain too much. Before today, that big snowblower had only been used once in the last couple of years.
What I can do, however, is sit down with a late-afternoon whiskey to recover from the physical labor of clearing the driveway and sidewalk. And if that whiskey happens to be tonight’s pour, I certainly wouldn’t be upset.
Bernheim Barrel Proof is, as the name suggests, a barrel-proof version of Heaven Hill’s Bernheim Wheat Whiskey. The mash bill is 51% wheat, 37% corn, and 12% malted barley. This batch was aged between seven and nine years before being bottled at a hefty 125.4 proof. The A225 designation means this is the first batch (A) of 2025 (25), released in February (2). The suggested retail price is $66.99.
Let’s dig in, shall we?
Bernheim Barrel Proof A225
Purchase Info: This sample was provided at no charge for review purposes. The suggested retail price is $66.99 for a 750 mL bottle.
Price per Drink (50 mL): $4.47
Details: 62.7% ABV. Mash bill: 51% wheat, 37% corn, 12% malted barley
Nose: Caramel, mint, oak, vanilla, cinnamon, and cocoa.
Mouth: Hot and spicy, with notes of cinnamon, vanilla, caramel, mint, and cocoa.
Finish: Long and hot, with lingering notes of cinnamon, toffee, and cocoa.
Thoughts: Whooo-boy! This one is hot! But it takes water well—adding a splash tames the heat and lets the flavors open up without losing complexity. Speaking of complexity, this might have the most layered nose I’ve ever found on a Bernheim product. I really like this one.
Comparison to Last Time: A225 is more complex on the nose and sweeter overall. On the palate, while B924 was still rich and hot, it had more grain-forward notes, whereas A225 leans more into barrel influence. Between the two, I much prefer A225.
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