Bourbon Has No Wheat? Exploring Rye-Based Mash Bills

November 9, 2025 •

4 min read

By law, all bourbon must contain at least 51% corn in its mash bill, but the secondary grains are where flavor profiles diverge dramatically. For those asking what bourbon has no wheat, the answer lies in understanding these mash bills, which typically use rye for a spicier finish or sometimes include grains like malted barley or even millet.

Quick Summary

This article details bourbons that use rye or other grains instead of wheat in their mash bills. It explores how these grain choices influence flavor and lists prominent brands for enthusiasts seeking spicier, non-wheated options. The piece also compares different bourbon styles and the impact of the mash bill.

Key Points

Rye is the most common wheat alternative: Many bourbons use rye as their secondary grain instead of wheat, leading to a spicier flavor profile.
Spicy vs. Sweet: Rye-based bourbons offer peppery, dry, and complex notes, while wheated bourbons are softer and sweeter.
Prominent brands are rye-based: Many famous bourbons like Jim Beam, Wild Turkey, and Bulleit are made with rye, not wheat.
All-corn bourbons exist: A few craft distillers produce 100% corn bourbons, offering an extremely sweet and mild alternative with no rye or wheat.
Mash bill defines the flavor: The choice of secondary grain is a crucial factor that determines whether a bourbon will be spicy or sweet.
High-rye vs. standard rye: Different proportions of rye create varying levels of spiciness, from a balanced standard rye to a more pronounced high-rye profile.

The world of bourbon is defined by its foundational mash bill, the recipe of grains used in fermentation. While the 51% corn requirement is non-negotiable, the choice of the second grain is a crucial variable that dictates the spirit's character. Wheated bourbons, made with wheat as the secondary grain, are known for a softer, sweeter, and more mellow profile. Conversely, many popular bourbons have no wheat, instead relying on rye to provide a distinctive, spicy flavor.

The Dominance of the Rye Mash Bill

The majority of mainstream bourbons do not use wheat; they use rye as the flavoring grain. The inclusion of rye introduces a peppery spice, a dry character, and a more robust and complex profile than its wheated counterparts. The percentage of rye in a mash bill can vary, leading to different classifications:

Standard Rye Bourbon: Contains a moderate amount of rye, typically 10-18%. This is the most common bourbon style, offering a balance of sweet corn and spicy rye notes.
High-Rye Bourbon: Features a higher proportion of rye, often 20% or more, resulting in a more pronounced spiciness.

Noteworthy Brands of Non-Wheated Bourbon

For those looking for what bourbon has no wheat, many well-known brands fall into the high-rye or standard rye categories. Here is a list of some of the most prominent names:

Jim Beam: A classic example of a standard rye bourbon, offering a balanced flavor profile of caramel, vanilla, and a touch of rye spice.
Wild Turkey: Known for its higher rye content, Wild Turkey products like Wild Turkey 101 deliver a bold, spicy kick.
Four Roses: Many Four Roses expressions, including the Small Batch and Single Barrel, utilize a high-rye mash bill, contributing to their signature fruity and spicy notes.
Buffalo Trace: The flagship Buffalo Trace brand uses a low-rye mash bill, but it is definitively a rye-based, non-wheated option.
Bulleit Bourbon: Another high-rye favorite, Bulleit is recognized for its spicy, peppery, and oaky flavor.
Knob Creek: The standard Knob Creek expression is a rye-based bourbon known for its rich and full-bodied flavor.
Evan Williams: A widely available and affordable option, Evan Williams Black Label and many of its other varieties are based on a traditional rye recipe.
Old Grand-Dad: A bonded high-rye bourbon that offers a robust and spicy character.

The Rare All-Corn Bourbon

While rye is the most common wheat substitute, a few distilleries go a different route and produce all-corn or "corn whiskey" that still fits the bourbon definition. This style is exceptionally sweet and lacks the spicy complexity of a rye-based bourbon. Hudson Baby Bourbon, for instance, is made from 100% corn.

Comparing Rye vs. Wheated Mash Bills


Characteristic	Rye-Based Bourbon	Wheated Bourbon
Flavor Profile	Spicier, more peppery, drier, and more robust.	Softer, sweeter, with notes of caramel, vanilla, and a creamy mouthfeel.
Mouthfeel	Often has a spicier, hotter finish that can feel drier on the palate.	Tends to be smoother and creamier, often perceived as more approachable.
Best For	Fans of bold flavors, spicy cocktails, or a robust neat pour.	Sipping neat, particularly for those who prefer a less aggressive spice character.
Notable Brands	Jim Beam, Wild Turkey, Bulleit, Knob Creek.	Maker's Mark, Weller, Larceny.

How to Find a Non-Wheated Bourbon

Read the Label: The most direct method is to look for clues on the bottle. High-rye bourbons often proudly advertise their mash bill or spicy flavor profile.
Consult Brand Information: For more obscure or small-batch options, checking the distillery's website is the best way to confirm the mash bill details.
Taste and Explore: The best way to understand the difference is to compare a well-known rye-based bourbon like Bulleit with a wheated bourbon like Maker's Mark. The contrast in flavor and finish will be immediately apparent.
Look for High-Rye Labels: Some brands explicitly market their products as "high-rye," making the selection process easier.

Conclusion

For those seeking a bourbon that has no wheat, the market offers a vast landscape of rye-based options that provide a contrasting and often spicier flavor experience. The simple substitution of rye for wheat fundamentally changes the spirit's character, creating a drier, more complex, and robust profile. From household names like Jim Beam and Wild Turkey to specialized high-rye bottlings, the choices are plentiful for enthusiasts eager to explore beyond the wheated-bourbon standard. Understanding the impact of the secondary grain is the key to navigating this diverse category of American whiskey.

What is the difference between rye and wheated bourbons?

While both must contain at least 51% corn, rye-based bourbons use rye as the secondary grain, creating a spicier and more robust flavor. Wheated bourbons, in contrast, use wheat, which results in a softer, sweeter, and creamier profile.

Are most bourbons made without wheat?

Yes, most bourbons are made with a mash bill that uses rye as the secondary grain rather than wheat. Wheated bourbons, while popular, represent a specific sub-category within the larger bourbon market.

Does Jim Beam have wheat in its mash bill?

No, Jim Beam's standard mash bill uses corn as the majority grain, followed by rye and malted barley, not wheat.

What are some examples of high-rye bourbons?

Notable high-rye bourbons include Bulleit Bourbon, Old Grand-Dad Bonded, and many Four Roses expressions, all of which feature a higher than average percentage of rye in their mash bills.

Can I find a bourbon made from 100% corn?

Yes, some distilleries, such as Hudson Baby Bourbon, produce a 100% corn bourbon. This style is exceptionally sweet and lacks the flavor contribution of a secondary grain.

Why would a distiller choose rye over wheat?

Distillers choose rye for its flavor profile, which provides spicier, drier, and more peppery notes. Wheat is chosen for a sweeter, smoother, and softer result. The choice depends on the desired final product.

Is Wild Turkey a wheated bourbon?

No, Wild Turkey is not a wheated bourbon. It is a classic example of a high-rye bourbon, known for its bold and spicy flavor.

Frequently Asked Questions

The main difference is the secondary grain in the mash bill. Rye-based bourbons use rye, which imparts a spicier, drier flavor. Wheated bourbons use wheat, resulting in a softer, sweeter, and creamier profile.

No, not all bourbons are spicy. The spice level depends on the mash bill. Bourbons with a higher rye content tend to be spicier, while wheated bourbons are known for being sweeter and smoother.

Jack Daniel's is a Tennessee Whiskey, not a bourbon by legal definition, but its mash bill is primarily corn with a percentage of rye and malted barley, not wheat.

A high-rye bourbon typically tastes bolder and spicier than a standard bourbon. It often features notes of black pepper, clove, and other baking spices, complementing the sweetness from the corn.

Yes, it is very easy to find bourbon with no wheat. Most standard bourbons on the market use a rye-based mash bill, so the majority of readily available options fit this description.

Many brands produce non-wheated bourbons, including Jim Beam, Wild Turkey, Bulleit, Four Roses, and Knob Creek. These are all examples of bourbons that use rye as their secondary grain.

Yes, for those with gluten sensitivities, the distillation process is known to remove gluten proteins, making distilled spirits like bourbon technically gluten-free. However, this is a separate consideration from the flavor profile determined by the mash bill.

Bourbon must contain at least 51% corn, whereas rye whiskey must contain at least 51% rye. This difference in the dominant grain significantly alters the flavor profile, with bourbon being generally sweeter and rye being spicier.