Cherry | Brown sugar | Wheat grain | Vanilla | Mixed spices | Barrel char

Cinnamon | Allspice | Clove | Sweet oak | Vanilla | Butterscotch

Black cherry | Cream soda | Wheat grain | Cinnamon spice | Barrel char | Black cherry & root beer aftertaste

KO Distilling was founded in 2015 by lifelong friends and neighbors Bill Karlson and John O'Mara, whose initials inspired the "KO" name. Located in Manassas, Virginia, the distillery set out to produce grain-to-glass American whiskey using locally sourced grains from the Mid-Atlantic region. KO Distilling has become particularly known for its boxing-inspired marketing and for emphasizing traditional production methods such as mashing, fermenting, distilling, aging, and bottling, all on-site. As one of Virginia's early modern craft distilleries, KO Distilling has helped establish the state's craft whiskey industry.

We originally reviewed Bare Knuckle Straight Bourbon in 2019, and the company continues to work at a slow but steady pace. It’s taken them some time, but their age statements on their whiskeys have risen, and their Single Barrel Cask Strength Wheat Whiskey releases now cross the 6 year threshold. Much like their rye, the Virginia heat has definitely left its mark on this wheat whiskey, with a surprisingly dark color and a taste to match.

The whiskey’s aroma carries a good amount of intensity. Cherry and brown sugar are most prominent, followed by wheat grain punching through that quickly turns to vanilla, mixed spices, and a good amount of barrel char. The palate is where the whiskey’s proof comes out in force. A mix of spices, from cinnamon to allspice to clove, dominates, but is then offset by sweet oak, vanilla, and butterscotch. The finish features a nice range of flavors, including black cherry, cream soda, wheat grain, cinnamon spice, and barrel char once again.

Sporting a respectable 6 year, 2 month age statement, Bare Knuckle Single Barrel Cask Strength Wheat Whiskey features a good range of flavors. The whiskey’s proof might be its main Achilles’ heel, as it drinks far higher than its 121 proof would suggest. Though adding a touch of water helps tame it, it reveals that the whiskey’s overall body isn’t built up enough. Flavors drop off a bit too quickly, though it does leave an enjoyable black cherry and root beer aftertaste. Bare Knuckle Single Barrel Cask Strength Wheat Whiskey is still rough around the edges, but it features many good flavor qualities that make up for its shortcomings.

‍The wheat whiskey in review is from barrel #19-0734, bottle #58.