Chicken Cock has released a new wheated bourbon, and it's stirring up conversation for all the wrong reasons. The brand, known for its heritage revival and premium positioning, is asking serious money for this wheat-forward expression.
Wheated bourbons have carved out their own following in recent years. Swapping rye for wheat in the mashbill creates a softer, sweeter profile that divides opinion. Some love the gentle approach. Others reckon it lacks backbone.
The Australian angle? Chicken Cock isn't widely distributed here, and when it does land, expect hefty margins on top of an already premium US price. If you're chasing wheated bourbon without the eye-watering price tag, locally available options like Weller Reserve or Maker's Mark offer solid entry points to the style.
This release feels more like a collector's item than a daily sipper. Unless you're deep into the brand or hunting down every wheated expression on the market, it's worth asking whether the juice justifies the squeeze.
Source: Fred Minnick
