Robb Report may receive an affiliate commission if you purchase a product or service through a link on our website. Michter’s, a Kentucky distillery known for its limited edition whiskeys, has recently announced the release of their highly anticipated US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish Rye. This whiskey, which has not been released since 2021, is generating a lot of excitement among whiskey enthusiasts.

Michter’s has previously released toasted barrel expressions of its bourbon and sour mash whiskey, but this particular flavor profile can be quite polarizing. While it excites many whiskey fans, it also turns off others. Michter’s president, Joseph Magliocco, claims that his distillery was the first to release a toasted barrel finish in American whiskey back in 2014, effectively creating a new category at the time. Other distilleries have since followed suit.

The process behind the toasted barrel finish begins with the selection of fully matured barrels of Michter’s US*1 Rye. These barrels are then transferred for finishing into a second barrel made of special wood that has been naturally air-dried and seasoned outdoors for 24 months. The wood is toasted to Michter’s specifications, but not charred. The result is a flavor profile characterized by a wood-forward palate, along with notes of toasted nuts, leather, and light tannins.

Each whiskey responds differently to the toasted barrel finish, and Michter’s believes that their rye whiskey is particularly well suited to this type of secondary maturation. Master distiller Dan McKee describes the Toasted Rye as a “full throttle flavor experience,” and the average barrel proof for this release is 108.9, suggesting a strong and robust taste.

Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish Rye will be available next month with a suggested retail price of $120. However, it is anticipated that the actual price may exceed this amount, as past releases have been found to sell for more than twice the SRP. Whiskey enthusiasts who are eager to compare this release with others should start hunting for bottles now.

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