Dry Fly Straight Cask Strength Wheat Whiskey Review

Distillery: Dry Fly Distilling – Spokane, WA

Proof: 120.0 (60.00 % ABV)

Age: Three+ Years

Mashbill: 100% Soft White Wheat

MSRP: $50/750ml

A Pacific Northwest Pour – Big Full Wheat Character

Wheat usually plays a supporting role, most often as the secondary grain in wheated bourbons. But Dry Fly Distilling, based in Spokane, Washington, flips that idea on its head with their Straight Wheat Whiskey—an expression that puts wheat front and center by using a 100% wheat mashbill. Aged for three years, bottled at cask strength (120 proof), and made entirely with soft white wheat, this release shows how grain selection can create a distinctive whiskey.

Dry Fly has been a quiet mainstay in the craft distilling scene since 2007. With this whiskey, they’re inviting drinkers to rethink what wheat can do when it’s no longer just a second fiddle—but is the main event.

Why 100% Wheat Matters

Most wheated bourbons use wheat to round and soften the sharper spice of rye, producing a smoother texture. But a 100% wheat mashbill removes the sweetness of corn and rye spice entirely, allowing wheat’s natural flavors to take full stage.

The result is a whiskey that leans into grain-forward, bready, and herbal notes rather than typical bourbon sweetness or spice. That shift gives this expression a lighter, drier, and more delicate structure—though at 120 proof, Dry Fly’s version still packs a punch that will sneak up on you when you’re not paying attention.

What Makes Soft White Wheat Different

The wheat used here isn’t just any wheat—it’s soft white wheat. Unlike hard red winter wheat, which is more common in whiskey production (and more robust in flavor), the use of soft white wheat intends to bring a cleaner, more floral profile and a fine texture to both baked goods as well as distilled spirits.

Dry Fly Straight Cask Strength Wheat Whiskey Review: Tasting Notes

Nose – 4.0/5

The Nose opens with dried stone fruit, light citrus zest, and a layer of honey. Underneath is a gentle vanilla note and just a hint of fresh grain—not raw, but clean and soft. There’s a surprising lack of ethanol at 120 proof, giving it a calm and composed start on the Nose.

Palate – 4.25/5

The sip opens with a wave of peppery oak and then quickly goes into vanilla cream, toasted buttery biscuit, and baked apples. The texture is lightly oily, with a touch of lemon toward the mid-Palate.

Finish – 4.0/5

The Finish is dry, long, and steady, with light tannin tang fading to vanilla bean. A lingering warmth settles nicely without staying overtime. It’s a clean, elegant exit especially for a high-proof whiskey.

Value – 4.5/5

At $50, this cask strength wheat whiskey lands in a sweet spot. It offers craft transparency, a unique mashbill, and a distinct flavor profile that are not found in traditional bourbons. For those who want to explore what wheat can do when it’s allowed to lead, this bottle delivers a lot for the price.

Dry Fly Straight Cask Strength Wheat Whiskey Review: The Verdict

Dry Fly’s Straight Wheat Whiskey is not just a novelty—it’s a showcase display of how grain selection combined with proof drives a whiskey’s identity. The use of soft white wheat results in a whiskey that is floral, rounded, and texturally smooth, even at 120 proof. It’s not trying to be a wheated bourbon, rather it’s trying to make a point.

This is a pour that rewards. For enthusiasts looking to move beyond the typical flavor profiles of corn- or rye-driven whiskeys, Dry Fly offers something refreshing: clean, grain-forward whiskey.  Sad that Dry Fly only ships within Washington State.  But other sites (Blackwells and some Total Wines) carry this expression or its sister expression—90 proof Straight Wheat Whiskey.

Verdict – 4.2/5

We score each bourbon based on nose, palate, finish, and value.

Scoring System:

• Platinum – 4.5 – 5
• Gold – 4 – 4.5
• Silver – 3 – 4
• Bronze – <3