Huling Station 8-Year Single Barrel Wheat Whiskey
Overall Score: 7.5/10
Overall Value: 4/5
Distillery: Old Dominick
Classification: Straight Wheat Whiskey
Company: Old Dominick Huling Station
Release Date: Fall 2023
Proof: 111.39
Age: 8 Years
Mashbill: 83% wheat, 12% corn, 5% Malted Barley
Color: Amber
MSRP: $70
The Barrel Bros’ Review
Huling Station's 8-Year Single Barrel Wheated Whisky offers a complex journey for those willing to take the time and enjoy the trip.
With each sip, the flavors evolve and deepen, so take your time with this one. The nose begins with a dark, nutty aroma reminiscent of walnut, transitioning to sweeter notes of butterscotch and hints of orange, alluding to its mature, 8-year profile. Also there were notes of Juicy Fruit gum and sweet red wine.
On the palate, the sweetness persists, accompanied by caramel and a subtle maltiness, characteristic of its high wheat mash bill. Despite its formidable proof, the whisky drinks smoothly, with a welcomed burn that dries the mouth in a satisfying way.
The finish delights with dark fruit notes changing into fig, leaving a lingering impression of baked spices and a savory smokiness. It also maintains the dark fruit theme, evolving into nutty undertones, reminiscent of banana bread and baked spices.
While lacking in pronounced oakiness, this whisky excels in showing its aged complexity, appealing to barrel bros seeking a well-crafted, evolving dram. With an MSRP that reflects its quality and a sale price worth considering, this Huling Station 8-year Wheat Whisky is a testament to the fun exploration of single barrel selections.
If you’re looking for specific notes from our Barrel Bros, read their individual reviews below!
Individual Reviews
The Rye Guy Says
Score: 8/10
Value: 4/5
THE NOSE:
My mind went pretty quickly to Juicy Fruit gum upon the first couple scents of this whisky. Which sounds strange, but it was really drawing me in!
This was one of the few notes of this pour that stayed pretty consistent for me, but I’ll get more into that in the conclusion.
I also got hints of sweet red wine or grape juice here as well. This nose is very sweet! It certainly presents itself as being a more mature whisky, there is nothing here to make you think this is youthy at all.
THE TASTE:
I was very happy that the taste was just as sweet as the nose was claiming it should be. And, the mouth feel was juicy!
I’ve never thought of describing a pour of whisky as juicy, and maybe that’s just a trick the notes from the nose were playing on my palate, but it was very pleasant and unique!
It does progress to a malt flavor that I’m presuming is coming from the high wheat and malk makeup of the mash bill.
People who enjoy the wheated profile will notice that flavor present, but it is more subdued than the other flavors.
There is some burn that dries the mouth, but it’s in the sort of way that you want a 110+ proof whisky to do. I did get some last bits of raisin on the palate which is a note I love and tend to mostly find only in rye whisky. Finally it wraps up in a savory smokeyness.
THE FINISH:
The continued dark fruit note is what stays most present for me in the finish.
However, it does seem to move away from the raisin on the palate and towards a more figgy note.
A couple of times I also picked out banana bread, but more on the baked spices/nutty profile than banana.
I liked the flavors that were here, I just wish it was a little bolder or sat in the mouth a bit longer!
BUY OR PASS?
I was very happy with this whisky! If you’re someone who wants your whisky to take you on a journey and have depth, you will find that here.
And, the great thing is, none of the places it takes you are unpleasant! This is a well aged whisky and that can be seen across all aspects.
There are no signs of youthyness. The Master Distiller absolutely nailed the proof point on this one. I will mention there wasn’t much oakiness or woodiness with this pour so if that is something that you want or are looking for then you may want to look elsewhere.
There were many aspects of this that reminded me of some of my favorite rye whisky. No notes I disliked.
The Hunter Says
Score: 7/10
Value: 4/5
Pro Tip: Have more than one sip of this whisky before casting judgment, as it evolves with each sip, revealing layers of flavors that might make you question your first impressions.
THE NOSE:
The initial encounter with this whisky is a dark, nutty aroma reminiscent of walnut, which gives way to a softer, sweeter category of scents.
As the liquid breathes and opens up, it presents notes of butterscotch, a fleeting whisper of corn pop cereal, and a creamy sweetness that might remind one of the center of a 3 Musketeers candy bar.
Further nosing reveals notes of peanut brittle, vanilla, and a delicate hint of orange, crafting a complex nose that may take 15-20 minutes to fully develop.
THE TASTE:
On the palate, the whisky starts off “nutty,” specifically the richer territories of hazelnut and walnut, not the peanut taste familiar to Jim Beam drinkers.
This nuttiness is complemented by undercurrents of caramel and butterscotch, adding depth without overwhelming sweetness.
It actually reminded me of an Elijah Craig Barrel Proof, but at a lower (watered-down) proof.
Notably, despite its formidable 111.39 proof, it drinks with a surprising smoothness, making it dangerously easy to enjoy.
However, barrel bros might find themselves wishing for a bit more robustness in flavor, expecting a more pronounced character from an 8-year, high-proof whisky.
THE FINISH:
The finish begins with a sharp — and unpleasant to me — note of leather, an assertive greeting that soon softens into a more congenial mix of walnut and caramel.
The presence of charred oak adds a foundational complexity, present but restrained, ensuring the finish, though not particularly long-lasting, remains thoroughly enjoyable — especially the longer you let the pour sit in the glass.
BUY OR PASS?
For those who find the higher proofs of spirits like Elijah Craig Barrel Proof a tad overwhelming, the Huling Station Single Barrel 8-Year Wheat Whisky offers a great alternative. Proofed down to 111.39, it maintains a balance of intensity and approachability.
It stands as a great, evolving whisky that promises to fill pages of tasting notes for the barrel bro willing to take the time and pay attention to its story.
