Roughstock Montana Spring Wheat Whiskey 45%

Out on the wheat flats of southern Montana, with the Bridger Mountains standing guard behind the fields, grows a grain few distillers would think to reach for. Roughstock turned it into whiskey anyway – and the result is as unpretentious as the prairie it comes from.

The Expert's Description

Roughstock Montana Spring Wheat Whiskey is an American Wheat Whiskey made from 100% wheat, finished in heavily toasted French oak casks and bottled at 45%.

Roughstock was Montana's first legal distillery in over a hundred years, opening after the state overhauled its old Prohibition-era liquor laws in 2005 to allow small craft distilleries. For this whiskey they use hard white spring wheat from Wheat Montana Farms, a variety known as "Prairie Gold" that's normally grown for bread rather than distilling – it carries a higher protein content than the wheat varieties distilleries usually choose. The mash ferments in open-top vats made of old-growth Oregon fir, then goes through double distillation in traditional copper pot stills.

Only the clean heart of the distillate makes it into used Pure Malt casks for maturation, letting the wheat's character come through without being buried in oak. The whiskey then spends a few months finishing in heavily toasted French oak, which layers in extra body and spice on top of the wheat's gentle sweetness.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Soft vanilla, honeycomb and a touch of butter, with fresh grain notes reminiscent of warm bread.

Palate

A light wheat sweetness meets butterscotch and honey, while the toasted French oak brings a spiced undercurrent.

Finish

Medium in length and soft, closing on a last hint of sweet spice from the oak.

Specifications

Name: Roughstock Montana Spring Wheat Whiskey
Distillery: Roughstock Distillery
Region/Country: Montana, USA
Type: American Wheat Whiskey
ABV: 45%
Size: 70 CL
Cask Type: Used Pure Malt casks, finished in heavily toasted French oak
Distillation method: Double distilled in traditional copper pot stills
EAN no.: 609728201432

Flavour Profile

Wheat-sweet · Vanilla-forward · Soft · Grainy

Did You Know?

The wheat behind this whiskey, "Prairie Gold", is actually a bread wheat with a high protein content – not the type of grain distilleries usually go for, but at Roughstock it's become the bottle's whole calling card.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Roughstock Montana Spring Wheat Whiskey

What does Roughstock Montana Spring Wheat Whiskey taste like?

It's soft and lightly sweet, with vanilla, honey and butterscotch from the wheat, while the toasted French oak gives a spiced counterweight. It's noticeably lighter in style than a typical bourbon or rye.

What makes this whiskey different?

It's made from white spring wheat – "Prairie Gold" – normally grown for bread rather than bottled as whiskey. That gives it a softer, more grain-forward character than corn- or rye-based American whiskeys.

Is this a wheat whiskey like other American wheat whiskeys?

Yes, it belongs to the small category of straight wheat whiskeys, where Bernheim is the best-known name. Roughstock's version stands apart through its finish in French oak rather than American oak alone.

Should it be served neat or with ice?

Try it neat first, or with a few drops of water at room temperature. Ice mutes the soft vanilla and honey notes that define this whiskey.

Which glass suits it best?

A narrow whisky glass such as a Glencairn glass gathers the aromas best, letting vanilla, honey and the toasted oak notes separate out clearly.

Why does Roughstock use used Pure Malt casks for this whiskey?

Used casks give less direct oak influence than new, charred barrels, so the wheat's mild character can come through instead of being overpowered – a deliberate contrast to the heavier cask profile in their bourbon and rye.

Does Roughstock Montana Spring Wheat Whiskey pair well with food?

Its soft vanilla and honey character works well with light desserts like cheesecake or apple pie, where a heavier whiskey would overpower the plate.