Vodka is one of the most popular spirits in the world, known for its versatility in cocktails and its smooth, clean taste. Wheatley Vodka in particular has grown in popularity in recent years, marketed as an affordable premium vodka option. But an intriguing question arises – is Wheatley Vodka actually made from wheat? Let’s take a deep dive into the origins, production process, and ingredients behind Wheatley Vodka to get to the bottom of this question.
The History of Wheatley Vodka
Wheatley Vodka was first launched in 2001 by the Sazerac Company, one of the largest spirits producers in the United States. Based in Buffalo Trace Distillery in Frankfort, Kentucky, Sazerac’s portfolio includes many iconic bourbon and rye whiskey brands like Buffalo Trace, Eagle Rare, and Pappy Van Winkle.
The company ventured into vodka in the 1990s, acquiring the rights to produce and market a wheat-based Swedish vodka called Karlsson’s Gold. However, supply issues led Sazerac to stop production of Karlsson’s in 1999. This left an opening in their portfolio for a wheat vodka.
Drawing upon Buffalo Trace’s rich history of wheat whiskey production and German wheat vodka heritage, Sazerac launched Wheatley Vodka as a value-focused wheat vodka, priced lower than other premium brands.
The name “Wheatley” was chosen as a tribute to E.H. Taylor Jr., founding father of the distillery, who envisioned creating “wheatley” whiskeys with a higher amount of wheat than usual. Although Wheatley Vodka does not actually contain whiskey, the name connects it to Buffalo Trace’s wheat whiskey legacy.
How Wheatley Vodka is Produced
Wheatley Vodka is produced at Buffalo Trace Distillery in Frankfort, KY using a continuous column still as opposed to the pot stills used for the distillery’s bourbons and whiskeys.
The process starts with grain neutral spirits made from a mash of corn and wheat. Exact proportions are proprietary but wheat accounts for more than 51% of the grains, allowing it to be legally classified as a wheat vodka.
After initial distillation, the spirit goes through Buffalo Trace’s proprietary filtration system. The company uses chill filtration, bringing the temperature down to -17°C to remove fatty acids, esters, proteins and sugars. This helps provide Wheatley’s signature smoothness and clean finish.
The final step is cutting the spirit with purified water to bring the ABV down to the standard vodka level of 40% alcohol. Interestingly, Buffalo Trace uses limestone mineral water from the distillery’s own spring-fed source instead of city tap water. The company believes this gives Wheatley a better mouthfeel and flavor.
What Ingredients are in Wheatley Vodka?
As a grain neutral spirit, the primary ingredients in Wheatley Vodka are wheat and corn. While the exact mash bill ratios are proprietary, we know wheat makes up over 51% of the grains.
This wheat and corn mash is distilled and filtered to reach an ethanol purity of 96% ABV. It’s then cut with water. But it’s not just any water – it’s the limestone mineral water from the distillery’s natural spring that gives Wheatley its signature taste.
Beyond grains and water, there are no flavor additives or sugar in Wheatley Vodka. Some vodka brands add glycerol for smoothness or citric acid for bite, but Wheatley does not adulterate their spirit. It’s a pure grain to glass vodka.
| Ingredient | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Wheat | Primary grain, makes up over 51% of mash |
| Corn | Secondary grain in mash bill |
| Limestone Mineral Water | Dilutes spirit to 40% ABV |
So in summary, the ingredients are simple – wheat, corn, and spring water. There are no flavorings, sugars, or additives.
Does Wheatley Contain Gluten?
An important question for people with gluten intolerance is whether Wheatley Vodka contains gluten. Since it is distilled from wheat, one may assume it would contain gluten.
However, the distillation process removes gluten from the finished spirit. Gluten is a protein found in grains like wheat, rye and barley. During distillation, the gluten proteins are separated from the starch and do not carry over into the final distillate.
Multiple lab analyses have verified these results, showing gluten levels in Wheatley Vodka below the international threshold of 20 parts per million for gluten-free labeling.
Therefore, although Wheatley starts with wheat, the distillation process filters out the gluten proteins. People with celiac disease or gluten intolerance can safely consume Wheatley Vodka.
How Does Wheatley Compare to Other Wheat Vodkas?
Wheatley helped sparked a renewed interested in wheat vodkas in the early 2000s, joining other established wheat vodkas like Absolut and SKYY. How does Wheatley compare on quality and price?
| Brand | Avg Price | Mash Bill | Origin |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wheatley | $15 | 51% wheat, corn | USA |
| Absolut | $25 | 100% wheat | Sweden |
| SKYY | $18 | 100% wheat | USA |
| Tito’s | $25 | 100% corn | USA |
At an average price around $15, Wheatley offers good value compared to other major wheat vodka competitors. While Absolut and SKYY are 100% wheat, Wheatley still has a majority wheat mash bill at over 51% wheat.
Tito’s is another popular affordable vodka, but it’s made from corn instead of wheat. So Wheatley provides a quality wheat-based option at a budget-friendly price point.
How Does Wheatley Taste?
So Wheatley checks the boxes on being an authentic wheat vodka, but how does it actually taste? Here are some tasting notes on the flavor profile:
– Nose – Faint grain sweetness, vanilla, black pepper
– Palate – Medium-bodied, creamy. Notes of cereal, baking spice, stone fruit. Smooth without much heat.
– Finish – Clean and smooth finish without any harsh burn. Hint of sweetness lingers.
Compared to other budget vodkas, Wheatley has a rounded flavor with some nice grain complexity. It’s soft and smooth drinking, with the wheat contributing a pleasing sweetness. While not as flavorful as a premium vodka, it’s a cut above bottom-shelf vodkas in taste.
The limestone mineral water used to dilute the spirit contributes to a silky mouthfeel. Chill filtration also helps remove impurities that can cause astringency or bitterness.
Overall, Wheatley offers solid flavor for the price. It mixes cleanly in cocktails and is smooth enough to drink chilled or on the rocks. The subtle wheat character gives it a pleasing identity.
Cocktails to Make with Wheatley Vodka
Wheatley’s versatility, smoothness, and subtle sweetness make it a great choice for a variety of vodka cocktails. Here are some recommended cocktails to mix up using Wheatley Vodka:
Wheatley Mule
Perfect twist on a Moscow Mule using Wheatley’s signature wheat flavor.
– 2 oz Wheatley Vodka
– 4-6 oz Ginger Beer
– Squeeze of Lime Juice
– Lime Wedge Garnish
Build over ice in copper mug. Top with ginger beer and stir gently. Garnish.
Wheatley Negroni
Wheatley’s sweetness balances the bitterness of Campari and vermouth.
– 1 oz Wheatley Vodka
– 1 oz Campari
– 1 oz Sweet Vermouth
– Orange twist
Stir over ice and strain into chilled glass. Garnish with orange.
Wheatley Martini
A classic martini made smooth and flavorful with Wheatley.
– 2.5 oz Wheatley Vodka
– 0.5 oz Dry Vermouth
– Lemon twist or chilled olives
Stir with ice and strain into chilled martini glass. Garnish.
Wheatley Gimlet
Bright, refreshing cocktail that lets the wheat shine through.
– 2 oz Wheatley Vodka
– 1 oz Fresh Lime Juice
– 0.5 oz Simple Syrup
– Lime wedge
Shake with ice and strain into glass. Garnish.
Where to Buy Wheatley Vodka
Wheatley Vodka is quite easy to find at liquor stores and bars across the United States. As a product of Sazerac, it benefits from their large national distribution network.
Here are some of the major retailers that carry Wheatley Vodka:
– Total Wine & More – Available at nearly all 200+ locations nationally
– BevMo – Stocked at most stores on the west coast and southwest
– Binny’s Beverage Depot – Illinois’ largest liquor chain stocks Wheatley
– Spec’s Liquor – Found at 30+ locations of this Texas alcohol retailer
– ABC Fine Wine & Spirits – Florida’s biggest liquor chain sells Wheatley
– Kroger – Many locations of this grocery giant carry Wheatley
Wheatley can also be found at countless independent liquor stores, especially throughout Sazerac’s core distribution markets like Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia, Ohio and California.
Bars will commonly have Wheatley as an affordable wheat vodka option in their well. Cocktail bars may use it in select craft cocktails.
You can check inventory online or contact your local liquor store to confirm they carry Wheatley before heading to the store. It’s a reliably stocked vodka across much of the country.
Is Wheatley Vodka Gluten Free?
This is a common question for those following a gluten-free diet. While Wheatley Vodka is distilled from wheat, the distillation process removes gluten from the finished spirit.
Independent lab testing has shown gluten levels in Wheatley Vodka to be below 20ppm, the global threshold to be labeled gluten-free.
Therefore, Wheatley can be considered gluten-free and appropriate for people with celiac disease or gluten intolerance. Those with severe gluten sensitivity should always consume grain-based alcohols with caution and consult their doctor.
Is Wheatley Vodka Non-GMO?
Wheatley Vodka is not currently verified as Non-GMO. The corn and wheat grains used in production may come from conventional, genetically modified sources rather than organic, non-GMO grains.
Many large distilleries source commodity grains from the agricultural market without verifying genetic status or using organic farming practices.
So while Wheatley does not advertise as Non-GMO, some craft distilleries are now promoting their vodkas made from organic, non-GMO grains. This allows gluten-free consumers to also avoid GMOs.
Does Wheatley Contain Sulfites?
Sulfite allergies are uncommon but can cause reactions in sensitive individuals. Wheatley Vodka does not contain added sulfites.
However, there may be trace amounts of sulfites occurring naturally during the distillation process. The bottle states Wheatley is “sulfite-free,” meaning no sulfites are added. But extremely sensitive consumers should exercise caution.
Many other vodka brands also state “no added sulfites” or “sulfite-free” while still having potential for trace sulfites. Overall, Wheatley should be well tolerated by most people with sulfite allergies.
Conclusion
So does Wheatley Vodka actually contain wheat? After investigating the production process, ingredients list, and tasting notes, it’s clear that Wheatley can genuinely call itself a wheat vodka.
While the exact mash bill is proprietary, wheat comprises over 51% of the grains, with corn making up the remainder. It’s distilled in a continuous column still, chill filtered, and diluted with limestone mineral water from the distillery’s spring.
When tasting Wheatley, the wheat comes through in a round, creamy texture and hints of grain sweetness. It provides a smooth, clean flavor without any harshness. And it mixes nicely in a range of vodka cocktails.
At around $15 on average, Wheatley hits a sweet spot between budget bottom-shelf vodkas and premium brands. It’s widely available at major liquor retailers across the United States.
While not certified gluten-free, repeated lab testing shows Wheatley tests below the international threshold of 20ppm for gluten content. The distillation process removes nearly all traces of gluten from the final product.
For those looking for an affordable wheat vodka with authentic grain flavor, Wheatley Vodka is a solid choice. The Buffalo Trace heritage provides whiskey credibility while the wheat mash bill delivers on smoothness and subtle sweetness. Next time you need an inexpensive wheat vodka for sipping or mixing, Wheatley is a smart option.
