Distillery: Wyoming Whiskey—Kirby, WY
Proof: 98.0 (49.0% ABV)
Age: Five Years
Mashbill: 68% Corn, 28% Rye, 12% Malted Barley
MSRP: $80
Wheated bourbon. Regional aging. Exclusive release. National Parks collaboration.
Wyoming Whiskey has become a flagship of Western bourbon, distilling since 2009 in the small town of Kirby, Wyoming. Their releases have steadily gained recognition for showing how high-desert aging shapes whiskey differently than Kentucky or Tennessee—hot summers, cold winters, and a dry climate that pulls spirit deep into the oak. One of their meaningful projects is the National Parks series, created to support the National Park Foundation by donating a portion of each bottle’s sales to preservation efforts.
The Acadia Edition continues this partnership, honoring Maine’s Acadia National Park—the first designated national park east of the Mississippi and one of the most visited in the United States. Bottled at 98 proof and aged for five years, this wheated bourbon carries a mashbill of 68% corn, 20% wheat, and 12% malted barley. Distribution is limited to brick-and-mortar retailers in Maine, reinforcing the bottle to a local connection. At $80, this bottle is positioned not just as a bourbon, but as a collector’s bottle.
Wyoming Whiskey National Park Acadia Edition Bourbon Review: Tasting Notes
Nose – 4/5
Honey graham crackers. Vanilla bean. Lemon zest. Soft wheat bread. Dried hay.
Strengths: The Nose is easy to enjoy right away, with sweet honey graham crackers and vanilla leading the way. Dried hay notes give it a warm, grain-driven feel. The mix of sweet and fresh makes it welcoming without feeling heavy.
Why It’s Not Higher: The Nose stays on the lighter side. Doesn’t grow into bolder or deeper notes. There is a lack of any dark fruit or spicier notes that could add depth. The Nose doesn’t change much when you give it time in the glass.
Rating Justification: For a five-year wheated bourbon, the Nose pretty much hits the expected notes—sweet, gentle, and balanced. It’s inviting, but doesn’t evolve or increase in complexity.
Palate – 4.2/5
Brown sugar. Buttered cornbread. Baked apple. Nutmeg. Slight oak char.
Strengths: The Palate has a smooth mix of caramel, cornbread, and brown sugar that feels both sweet and filling. A comforting, dessert-like quality. The 98 proof works well here—strong enough to carry flavor without overwhelming it.
Why It’s Not Higher: After the first sip, the flavors hold steady without moving into new flavor layers. Fans of spicier bourbons will likely find it too calm, since the wheat softens much of the punch.
Rating Justification: This is the strongest part of the whiskey—balanced and flavorful. Rich with a steady flavor.
Finish – 3.9/5
Vanilla custard. Cinnamon sugar. Soft oak. Light pepper.
Strengths: The Finish closes smoothly with deep vanilla notes, while cinnamon sugar and light pepper add just enough lift to keep it interesting.
Why It’s Not Higher: The Finish is short and as it fades quickly, leaving sweetness behind but not much depth or spice. More of a clean close than a lasting memory.
Rating Justification: The Finish fits the bourbon’s character—smooth, sweet, and easy to sip. The short length is nothing to write home about.
Value – 4/5
Strengths: At $80, this bottle carries more than whiskey—it’s ties to Acadia National Park helps support conservation. For collectors or those who value the story, it makes the bottle meaningful. The bourbon itself is well-made, with balance and drinkability with a proof that highlights the Palate.
Why It’s Not Higher: Taken only on the whiskey inside, the price feels a little high for a five-year expression. Other wheated bourbons of a similar age can be found for less, some with greater depth. The limited distribution makes it harder to find for most buyers.
Rating Justification: The Value works when you factor in the exclusivity and purpose, but judged only by liquid and price, it sits closer to average.
Wyoming Whiskey National Park Acadia Edition Bourbon Review: The Verdict
The Wyoming Whiskey Acadia Edition is a wheated bourbon that leans into softness rather than bold spice or heavy oak. The Nose is sweet and fresh, the Palate is the highlight with “apple pie” comfort food flavors, and the Finish closes well though a bit quickly.
The Nose is sweet and fresh, the Palate is the highlight with “apple pie” comfort food flavors, and the Finish closes well though a bit quickly.
Verdict – 4/5
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
Mike Long is a staff writer at Bourbon Inspector and has an Executive Bourbon Steward designation from the Stave and Thief Society. He’s a former “wine guy” who discovered his love for bourbon years back at a spur-of-the-moment bourbon tasting he attended. He also loves traveling throughout America with his wife of over 37 years, Debby.
