Reservoir Wheat Whiskey is one of those bottles that catches your attention precisely because it refuses to fit neatly into a box. A Virginia wheat whiskey bottled at a robust 50% ABV with no age statement, it arrives from a corner of American whiskey-making that has been quietly gaining serious ground over the past decade. At £99.95, it sits at a price point that demands consideration — and having spent time with this bottle, I believe it earns its place there.
Virginia is not the first state most drinkers think of when American whiskey comes up in conversation. Kentucky and Tennessee have long dominated that discussion. But craft distilling in the Commonwealth has developed its own identity, and wheat-heavy mash bills are part of that story. Wheat as a dominant grain tends to produce a softer, rounder spirit compared to the spice-forward character of rye or the robust sweetness of corn-heavy bourbons. At 50% ABV — bottled at what amounts to 100 proof — Reservoir has made the sensible decision to let the spirit speak at full strength without tipping into harshness.
The NAS designation is worth addressing. In the American craft space, the absence of an age statement is common and not necessarily a concern. Smaller operations often work with younger stocks but compensate through grain selection and careful distillation. What matters is what ends up in the glass, and Reservoir has built a reputation on exactly that principle.
Tasting Notes
I have no detailed tasting notes to share on this particular bottling at the time of writing. What I can say is that wheat whiskeys in this style typically deliver a profile that leans towards soft grain sweetness, gentle baking spice, and a creamy mouthfeel that sets them apart from their rye-forward cousins. At 50% ABV, expect enough structure and intensity to keep things interesting without the burn that higher proofs can bring. This is a whiskey that rewards patience — give it a moment in the glass and let it open up.
The Verdict
Reservoir Wheat Whiskey represents exactly what I find compelling about the current state of American craft distilling: a clear commitment to grain character, bottled at a strength that respects the spirit, from a region that is carving out its own whiskey identity. At £99.95, it is not an impulse purchase, and it should not be. This is a bottle for someone who wants to explore beyond the familiar names and is willing to pay for something made with intention. A score of 7.8 out of 10 reflects a whiskey that delivers genuine quality and distinctiveness — it may not have the pedigree of a decades-old Scotch at this price, but it offers something those bottles cannot: a taste of where American whiskey is heading. I would buy this again.
Best Served
Pour it neat in a Glencairn or a tulip glass and let it sit for five minutes. The 50% ABV is assertive but not aggressive, and a few drops of cool water will soften it further if you prefer. This is also a superb candidate for a simple Highball — the wheat character shines through soda water beautifully, making it an excellent warm-weather serve. Avoid heavy cocktails; the subtlety of the grain would be lost beneath bitters and vermouth.
