Heritage & Distillery
Wheatley Craft Vodka is the creation of Harlen Wheatley, Master Distiller at Buffalo Trace — one of the most celebrated distilleries in the American spirits landscape, known primarily for its extraordinary bourbon portfolio but increasingly recognised for its versatility across spirit categories. The vodka is produced using a one-of-a-kind micro still at the distillery, an approach that allows the kind of small-batch precision more typically associated with artisan producers than with facilities of Buffalo Trace's scale.
The decision to distil ten times might, in a lesser distillery's hands, result in a spirit stripped of all character — but Wheatley's mastery of the process ensures that each pass through the still refines the spirit without diminishing its personality. The result is a vodka of exceptional purity that nonetheless retains a creamy, characterful profile.
Tasting Notes
The nose is clean and creamy — subtle vanilla, fresh citrus, and a hint of sweet grain that nods to the distillery's bourbon heritage without mimicking it. On the palate, the vodka is smooth and artisanal with a creamy texture, gentle wheat sweetness, citrus brightness, and a subtle minerality that provides definition. The crispness is noteworthy — for a spirit that has been distilled ten times, it retains a remarkable freshness and vitality. The finish is medium, clean, with a gentle warmth and a crisp, refreshing close.
Verdict
At eight out of ten, Wheatley Craft Vodka demonstrates that one of America's great distilleries can produce a vodka of genuine distinction. The ten-distillation process achieves remarkable purity without sacrificing character, and the price — under twenty-eight pounds — represents exceptional value for a spirit of this quality and provenance. Highly recommended.
