Holladay Soft Red Wheat Rickhouse Proof
Intro
Listen, I’ve had my fair share of wheaters. Some are soft and sweet like your grandma’s biscuits. Others taste like regret and warm corn syrup. But this bottle right here? Holladay Soft Red Wheat Rickhouse Proof? It's like someone slow-danced a caramel apple through a rickhouse and bottled the moment. And yes, I enjoyed it enough to stop mid-sip and whisper, “Well dang…”
Now, if you’re thinking, “Holladay sounds familiar,” that’s because I’ve covered them before. If you want to dive deeper into their Bottled-in-Bond offering and find out what it means to be Missouri Bourbon Certified (yes, that’s a real thing, and it’s actually pretty cool), click here.
A (Brief-ish) History of Holladay
Before you say, “Who the heck is Holladay?” — allow me to introduce you to Missouri’s best-kept bourbon secret. Holladay Distillery, founded in 1856, is technically older than most modern bourbon brands and maybe even your Uncle Gary’s denim collection. It’s still producing bourbon on the very same limestone spring that founder Ben Holladay picked back in the day. He was a real-deal whiskey guy and a bit of a 19th-century entrepreneur/adventurer.
Fast forward to now: Holladay Distillery has been cranking out impressive bottled-in-bond bourbons, and now this Rickhouse Proof line basically says, “We’re done playing humble.” And good for them.
The Pour
Dark amber, but not too broody. It coats the glass like it knows it’s got good genes. You swirl this and the legs take their sweet time strolling back down the glass — like they’re in no rush because they know you’ll be back.
Nose
If someone made a candle called “Grandma’s Kitchen During Thanksgiving Prep and Also Maybe There’s Bourbon In the Air,” this would be it. First whiff hits you with vanilla frosting, warm oak, and that red berry note that makes you wonder if a cherry pie exploded somewhere nearby. A little leather in there too — not the full saddle, more like your favorite old wallet. Rich, warm, and just a little wild.
Palate
Boom. Sweet up front, but not too clingy. Think honey-drizzled cornbread (honey and corn) followed by toasted marshmallow, then a wave of cinnamon spice rolls (dough and cinnamon) in like it's auditioning for a cameo in a holiday commercial. That soft red wheat really does soften the ride — smooth and buttery, but still plenty of character. It’s like your buddy who lifts but also goes to therapy.
Finish
Long. Like actually long. Warming without setting your esophagus on fire. That cinnamon from earlier turns into brown sugar and baking spice, with just enough peppery oak to remind you this is barrel proof, not babysitter juice. A little cocoa sneaks in at the end, just to make sure you're still paying attention.
Final Thoughts
This bourbon is a sleeper hit. It’s bold, balanced, and criminally underhyped. Honestly, if this had a fancier label and came out of Kentucky, people would be reselling it for double on the secondary. But that’s what makes Holladay great — no gimmicks, just damn good whiskey. The Rickhouse Proof Soft Red Wheat is a standout, but if this is your intro to Holladay’s lineup, keep going. Their Bottled-in-Bond expressions are also solid enough to deserve space on your shelf (or your backup shelf, or your shelf labeled “I Swear I’m Not a Collector”).
So yes, I highly recommend this pour — and I’d even share it. But only with people who won’t ask to mix it with Coke. That’s like pineapple on pizza for me; don’t judge.
Cheers to a dram good time! 🥃✨
The Details:
Proof: 120 • Distillery: Holladay Distillery • Mashbill: 73% Corn • 15% Wheat • 12% Barley • Aged: <6yrs •Price: $75
Brown Water Rating Scale:
Nose: 4 • Palate: 4 • Finish: 5 • Uniqueness: 3 • Value: 4 • Overall: 4
This is a 5-point scale based on my own preferences. This was also tested by my father-in-law, another whiskey lover. 