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Wheated bourbon has spent close to two centuries as bourbon's quieter, sweeter sibling, ever since William Larue Weller reportedly swapped rye for wheat in his mash bill back in the 1800s. That softer style is now collecting serious hardware at some of the biggest competitions in the world, and the seven best wheated bourbons on this list have all won recognition at major international whisky awards over the past two years, from the World Whiskies Awards to the San Francisco World Spirits Competition. Here are the seven wheated bourbons currently picking up the most awards, and where you can actually find them.
This 25th anniversary decanter marks Heaven Hill's ownership of the once dormant Old Fitzgerald name, a brand that was once Pappy Van Winkle's own wheated label. Distilled in 1999, aged 13 years, and bottled at 100 proof, it won World's Best Bourbon at the 2025 World Whiskies Awards, showing cinnamon toast and honeyed vanilla.
Old Fitzgerald VVS 2024 Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiske Price: $1,999.99
Availability in India: Not currently sold in India, this is a US allocated decanter release.
Distilled at Buffalo Trace between 2010 and 2013, this uncut, unfiltered release came out of the barrel at 129 proof, carrying vanilla, maple and tobacco. It took first place in the wheated category at the 2026 International Whisky Competition, continuing recognition for the bourbon named after wheated bourbon's original pioneer.
William Larue Weller 2025 Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Price: Suggested retail around $150, though it typically resells closer to $1,800
Availability in India: Not officially distributed in India, found mainly through international collectors and retailers abroad.
Ten seared French oak staves go into an already mature barrel of standard Maker's Mark before it returns to the rackhouse, the finishing step behind its caramel and baking spice character. That process earned a 99 point double gold at the 2026 San Francisco World Spirits Competition and Best Kentucky Finished Bourbon honors.
Maker’s Mark 46 Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Price: Around $38
Availability in India: Yes, both Maker's Mark and Maker's Mark 46 are sold through Indian retail and duty free outlets.
Green River's Owensboro distillery dates back to 1885 and only returned to production in 2022. Its wheated bourbon, blended from four to six year old barrels at 90 proof with no finishing tricks, beat Blanton's Gold Edition and W.L. Weller Full Proof to win Best Wheated Bourbon at the 2025 New York World Spirits Competition.
Green River Wheated Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Price: $34.99
Availability in India: Not currently listed with Indian importers or retailers.
Augusta only began distilling on site in 2024, inside a restored 1883 building on the banks of the Ohio River, yet its cask strength, unfiltered single barrel wheater already won Platinum and Best Single Barrel Bourbon at the 2026 LA Spirits Awards, aged roughly seven years under Master Distiller Alex Castle.
Augusta Distillery Wheated Single Barrel Bourbon Whiskey Price: $89.99
Availability in India: Not currently sold in India, available direct from the distillery only.
Heaven Hill's transparency project lists everything from the corn varietal to the exact rickhouse floor a barrel rested on, and this Specialty Barrel entry spent seven years in rare Chinquapin oak. With 35 percent wheat, the highest share on this list, it won Best of Class at the 2026 SIP Awards, bottled at 105 proof.
Heaven Hill Grain Barrel Bourbon Whiskey Price: $129.99
Availability in India: Not currently available in India.
The only non Kentucky bottle here, Screaming Titan comes from Sonoma County and takes its name from a 323 foot coastal redwood, with a tree planted for every bottle sold. This first wheated release from Redwood Empire, aged at least five years and bottled at 96 proof, won a Platinum Medal at the 2025 LA Spirits Awards.
Redwood Empire Screaming Titan Wheated Bourbon Whiskey Price: $79.99
Availability in India: Not currently available in India
These seven bottles prove that wheated bourbon is anyt.hing but predictable. Whether it is a rare collector's release or an easier everyday pour, each brings award-winning character to the glass.
