Speaking of American whiskey, Michter’s is leading both the U.S. and worldwide. This iconic brand, which was resurrected by the Magliocco family via Chatham Imports in the 1990s, played a significant role in saving American rye whiskey as a style and brought it back along with “sour mash” whiskeys and incredible bourbons. Whether you appreciate their whiskey or not, it is undeniable that Michter’s’ revival was a key part of the resurrection of American whiskey after several tough decades. The primary reason for this is the superior quality of the whiskey.
As we’re on the topic of genuinely outstanding whiskey, I believed it was appropriate to evaluate all their expressions. There happen to be quite a few. Also, Michter’s frequently introduces new batches.
Here’s a brief overview before we delve into the details:
Michter’s main product line includes their Small Batch Bourbon, Single Barrel Rye, Unblended American Whiskey, and Sour Mash. Basically, these bottles should be accessible almost everywhere in the U.S. at a reasonably decent price around the mid-$40 range. Michter’s next tier consists of their limited edition annual releases. This segment includes their toasted barrel finishes, 10-year single barrel rye and bourbon, barrel strength whiskeys, Bomberger’s, and Shenk’s. However, it should be noted that these whiskeys are normally released every year, but some years do get skipped occasionally.
Lastly, there’s the super rare stuff. This is the 20-year age statement whiskey and above and the Celebration Sour Mash. These rarities are often seen every three to five years but can be spaced even further apart.
Let’s address the elephant in the room of any highly allocated whiskey in the U.S. — Michter’s limited edition bottles tend to be very allocated. That means that a select few restaurants, bars, and retailers get bottles when released. This is due to such a small quantity produced. Michter’s has always been about quality over producing massive numbers of cases. That means that the MSRP of the limited edition bottles is rarely what we as consumers get to pay. Some bottles are going to cost you anywhere from two to 100 times more than their listed price. It just depends on vintage, retailers, and what’s out there.
So what makes Michter’s so beloved? Well, it comes down to the people. There’s the Magliocco family at the top. They deeply care about the heritage of Kentucky whiskey and preserving something for future generations. They believe in making whiskeys that parents pass down to children and grandchildren. Yes, they want to sell whiskey to the masses — that’s what the core line is for — but they want to last beyond any trend.
Master Distiller Dan McKee and Master of Maturation Andrea Wilson are legends in the whiskey industry. They strive to source, distill, and age whiskey that’s just right for Michter’s. For McKee and Wilson, building a whiskey expression is never about a commodity. It’s about the love of the game, creating something exceptional, and offering us humble whiskey drinkers something beautiful to enjoy every day, on special occasions, and with our loved ones.
What makes Michter’s stand out and so well received? Time to decipher that in rankings!
ABV: 41.7%
Approximate Cost: $47
More often than not, whiskeys labeled as “blended whiskey” or simply just “bourbon” (as opposed to “straight bourbon”), means it’s a mix of whiskey with neutral grain spirits for cost efficiency and increased profit. This particular variety is referred to as “Unblended,” primarily because it’s made exclusively of whiskey (no grain spirits added). The whiskey filled in these bottles was matured in barrels that were previously soaked in whiskey. Once the whiskey reaches the desired maturity, it’s then blended and bottled in small batches.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: Orchard fruits, butterscotch candies, and vanilla cake greet you on the nose with a hint of wooden spice.
Palate: That fruit becomes more dried and almost salted on the palate while bourbon vanilla and mild caramel sweetness mingle with cinnamon and nutmeg.
Finish: The finish is pretty short and sweet with a red berry vibe next to some thin apple cider.
Bottom Line:
This is a great mixer. Protip: Keep this whiskey in the freezer for mixing highballs or cocktails — or shooting with a cold beer on a hot day.
ABV: 45.7%
Average Price: $43
Michter’s genuinely embodies the term “small batch”. Their tank, used to blend their carefully chosen eight-year-old bourbons, can only contain 20 barrels; hence, each small-batch bottle contains this many. With Kentucky’s famous soft limestone water, the blended bourbon is then proofed and bottled.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: The scent of this drink is highly fruity, combining notes of mashed peaches, red berries (resembling a cream soda), and apple wood, alongside a plate of waffles adorned with brown butter and a generous drizzle of maple syrup, finishing with a whisper of cotton candy.
Palate: The palate notes reveal a moderating sweetness where vanilla frosting gives way to grilled peaches with a touch of black pepper, accompanied by slightly charred marshmallows.
Finish: The end is plummy and full of rich toffee next to a dash of cedar bark and vanilla tobacco.
Bottom Line:
This is an essential cocktail bourbon to have on hand. It makes a great old fashioned or whiskey sour. I’d also argue that you can easily pour this over some ice and sip it as an everyday table whiskey too. It’s good stuff.
ABV: 43%
Average Price: $42
The title of “Whiskey of the Year” was bestowed upon this American whiskey by The Whiskey Exchange in the U.K. for the first time in 2019. It’s termed as a “sour mash” rather than a “bourbon” or “rye” because neither corn nor rye are the main ingredient in the mash bill, hence it earns the designation of sour mash whiskey. The whiskey aging process takes place in new white oak with a heavy char.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: On the first sniff, the aroma of smoked plums, crunchy rye crusts, a subtle touch of caraway, and deep caramel tinged with a hint of salt combine with the sweet scents of vanilla and apple/pear cider.
Palate: The sip embraces the smoky dark fruit with hints of vanilla and cherry popping up next to winter spices and a touch of green savory herbs.
Finish: The whiskey carries that smoky plumminess through to the end with a nice nod to an oaky and bourbon-y vanilla underbelly.
Bottom Line:
This is another fine cocktail base — it works in bold seasonal cocktails so don’t be afraid of adding big flavors.
ABV: 43%
Average Price: $99
This release uses Michter’s renowned Kentucky Sour Mash, which doesn’t contain enough corn or rye to be classified as bourbon or rye whiskey, and finishes it in toasted barrels. These barrels are air-dried for 18 months before being lightly toasted. The whiskey is then filled into these barrels. After aging, the whiskey is blended and bottled with a generous amount of Kentucky water.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: There’s a mild scent of firewood freshly chopped from an aged fruit orchard, alongside dark chocolate oranges with a touch of salt and honey, complemented with the essence of vanilla cake iced with an apple cinnamon butter concoction.
Palate: The taste shows a hint of lightly smoked cherry accompanying clove and allspice, creating a sensation of a rich, creamy eggnog and vanilla-cherry tobacco packed in a slightly resinous pine crate.
Finish: The finale emphasizes further on the cherry tobacco with an added layer of mild chili spice and additional soft and sweet orchard firewood.
Final Thoughts:
This whiskey on our list, you could say, is quite an “acquired taste”. The flavor of the wood is very present. On ice, this whiskey brew serves a robust, dry firewood taste. When mixed into a cocktail, its woodiness transforms from cedar bark to orchard bark, ending in a slightly charred note. This may not appeal to all, but for those who seek such flavors, it does not disappoint.
Alcohol By Volume (ABV): 45.7%
Cost On Average: $448
Michter’s first introduced this in 2014 and it quickly became a regular in their release roster. The whiskey is a traditional bourbon, finished off in a toasted barrel from the renowned Kelvin Cooperage based in Louisville. These barrels are all handmade, using white oak that has been air-dried for 18 months. They are lightly toasted on the inside prior to introducing the aged whiskey.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: The initial scent possesses a resemblance to a pecan pie; rich, dry, filled with the sweetness of dark Caro syrup, and a subtle hint of candied orange peels, cinnamon, and dry cedar bark.
Palate: On tasting, the sweetness persists with a hint of campfire roasted marshmallow, a dash of saffron and clove-infused pears, a mound of sappy firewood, and smooth undertones of vanilla pudding swirling across your taste buds.
Finish: A final note delivers a mild savory flavor that harks back to the pear, vanilla, and marshmallow, gently turning into a slow fade towards a pile of fresh firewood arranged neatly on a bed of soft black soil.
Bottom Line:
The sweetness of the Kentucky bourbon balances the woodiness of the toasted barrel finish nicely on this one. I’d still use this primarily for cocktails with a woody kiss but you’ll probably like it best on a rock. The water and ice will help the dryness of the wood take on a creamy sense with singed marshmallows and a touch of cherry chocolate cake.
ABV: 55.3%
Average Price: $109
Michter’s deposits a still-hot 103-proof spirit into their barrels. Over a couple of years of maturing, this proof elevates slightly as evaporation, also known as the ‘angel’s share’, takes place. In typical circumstances, this whiskey is diluted with Kentucky’s famed limestone water before being bottled. However, in this instance, the spirit is derived from exceptional ‘honey barrels’ that warrant abstention from dilution, and is bottled at the Fort Nelson Distillery, situated on Louisville’s celebrated Whiskey Row.
Tasting Notes:
Aroma: The aroma immerses you in the quintessential bourbon ambiences of dense buttery toffees aligned with salted cherries cloaked in dark chocolate, a hint of smoked stone fruits, and a slight suggestion of spicy tobacco leaf.
Flavour: The flavour reflects these aromas as the spice of the tobacco intensifies, and then gets balanced by the rich and creamy vanilla, salted caramel, and a touch of dryness that calls to mind apricot stones.
Finish: That dryness drives the mid-palate towards the finish with a pecan shell vibe next to slightly bitter singed cedar bark.
Bottom Line:
This is a great workhorse whiskey. It shines in cocktails if you’re looking for a little extra punch. It also works wonders as a slow sipper over a single large ice cube. You can’t lose pouring this one, especially if you’re looking for classic Kentucky bourbon.
ABV: 54.6%
Average Price: $104
This rare expression from Michter’s comes from single barrels deemed too exceptional to batch together or dilute. When the barrels achieve the ideal flavor profile, they are filtered through Michter’s proprietary system and bottled directly at their original barrel strength.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: The aromas of dark cherry and butterscotch candies are prominent on the nose. You might also sense sour red wine and mulled wine spices like cinnamon, clove, and star anise. There are also elements of tart apple skins, apple bark, and a suggestion of singed marshmallow amidst lightly charred graham crackers.
Palate: The palate subtly leans into spices with a nutmeg/eggnog vibe next to rich vanilla ice cream and smoked cherries with a minor note of fresh pipe tobacco and singed cedar bark.
Finish: The end adds some dried red chili and sharp cinnamon to the tobacco with a pinch of freshly cracked black pepper and a supple sense of a fresh fruit bowl with a lot of red berries.
Bottom Line:
This is a bold rye whiskey that really leans into the Kentucky vibes. It’s sweetly balanced with a grassiness that’s pure Kentucky. It’s truly a bourbon-lovers rye whiskey, which makes it a great sipper or Manhattan base.
ABV: 42.4%
Average Price: $43
Michter’s skillfully produced juice is stored until the distinctively charred new white oak barrels reach the perfect point in terms of both texture and flavor. These barrels are afterwards meticulously picked and filled one at a time, along with a splash of Kentucky water.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: Featuring peppered rye with a touch of citrus, the initial aroma lends itself to deep fatty nuttiness, dry espresso beans, smooth dark chocolate sauce, and a splash of sharp spearmint.
Palate: One can perceive a subtle trail of toffee candies wrapped in roasted almonds resting adjacently to a brioche laden with Nutella, dunked in a freshly brewed cup of espresso. It carries slight hints of white pepper, chili powder, and potentially, a bit of honey.
Finish: The concluding note gravitates towards wooden winter spice barks and buds, such as cinnamon, clove, and allspice, with an undertone of whole red peppercorns bathed in molasses, a hint of walnut cake, and a slender streak of toasted marshmallows dipped in dark chocolate.
Bottom Line:
Michter’s core line undeniably merits its high rating. Impressively, it manages to surpass the quality one would expect at its price point and availability. Perfect for mixing in cocktails, it also serves as a delightful everyday sipper, especially over a rock.
Alcohol By Volume: 45.6%
Typical Price: $109
The production of this whiskey involves a significant amount of rye whiskey and a little bourbon incorporated in a traditional sour mash style. The 2023 release features malted rye in the mash bill for an added layer of malty richness. The aging process involves specially curated toasted French oak, seasoned in France for 24 months, then crafted into barrels that air-dried in Kentucky for 18 months prior to being charred. Each barrel is batched and bottled, complemented by a hint of Kentucky limestone water.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: Delicate aromas of boot leather, dried and candied orange, spiced Christmas cake, fresh vanilla beans, sultanas, accompanied by a trace of fresh firewood. The nose finishes with a subtle sweet hint of oak char and simmering molasses enhanced with almond and dark citrus oils.
Palate: The taste contains a pleasing sweet spiciness, reminiscent of a box of Red Hots, paired with allspice, clove, and orange. This is mixed with rummy raisins, a generous splash of nutmeg-infused eggnog, and a late hint of oily espresso beans before a strong yet balanced winter spice sharpness takes center stage.
Finish: The conclusion intertwines the orange oils with soft cedar notes, creating a woody spiciness. This is closely followed by delicate notes of sweet cinnamon, simmered plums, minced meat pies, and brandied cherries, enriched with chewy tobacco leaves, creating a lush and creamy finish.
Bottom Line:
Shenk’s is just good whiskey. It’s highly sippable, deeply hewn, and will leave you feeling satisfied. It’s also spicy enough to make a hell of a winter cocktail.
ABV: 54.45%
Average Price: $334
Finish: The mid-palate dries out towards that pitchy yet dry woodpile with an echo of dirt from the bottom of that woodpile on the finish before the roasting herbs and soft dark berries arrive with a whisper of dark chocolate tobacco and leather.
Bottom Line:
This is essential Kentucky rye. Again, it perfectly balances sweet almost bourbon vibes with a deep grassiness of a good rye without going into harder botanicals or herbs. It’s amazing sippable with a great finish that’ll have you coming back for more.
ABV: 47.2%
Average Price: $475
The whiskey barrels used for these single-barrel expressions are typically at least 10 years old, although some are rumored to approach 15 years old (its quality is of course a factor). Regardless, the whiskey undergoes Michter’s unique filtration process before a small amount of Kentucky’s famed soft limestone water is added, adjusting the bourbon’s proof to a highly drinkable 94.4.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: There’s a spicy hint of cedar bark and burnt orange coupled with salted caramel and tart red berries. A moist and spicy sticky toffee pudding paired with brandy butter adds an enticing aroma.
Palate: The palate artfully interweaves vanilla tobacco with salted dark chocolate-covered marzipan, and combines it with a touch of espresso cream leading to the introduction of new porch wicker and black peppercorns.
Finish: The conclusion of the palette experience indulges in a unique pecan waffle profile, dappled with chocolate chips, infused with maple syrup, blackberry jam, and minced meat pies. Alongside these eclectic flavors linger the tones of old tobacco and cedar with a sweet but toasted marshmallow lingering towards the end.
Conclusive Thoughts:
This whiskey stands as one of those exceptional choices that are just within reach to spark thrilling excitement. Most high-quality whiskey bars will likely have this in their collection. It is highly recommended to try a pour! Or, if you’re in for a slightly more daring experience, request for them to craft an unmatched old fashioned with it.
Not to be cliched, but this is truly quintessential Kentucky bourbon.
ABV: 46.4%
Average Price: $399
2023’s Michter’s 10-Year Rye release was an instant classic. The whiskey is made from a corn-rich rye whiskey mash bill with a good dose of barley in there. The absolute best barrels are chosen — with some up to 15 years old — for this release. Then each of those barrels is individually bottled as-is with a hint of proofing water.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: The nose exudes a luxurious blend of rich toffee and soft marzipan, offset with a touch of freshly cracked black pepper. This segues into a melody of cinnamon-infused apple cider and cherry-soaked cedar bark.
Palate: On the palate, the experience unfolds with notes of Red Hot, zesty orange marmalade, and creamy vanilla pudding. There is an unexpected zest from dried chili peppers, further deepened by a hint of smoke and woodiness. A fleeting whisper of celery salt completes the taste palette.
Finish: The finish wonderfully dries out the almond, leaving a rich trail of vanilla cream tobacco, soft and sweet cedar, and sumptuous dark chocolate orange. Everything is expertly balanced, resulting in a nearly perfect flavor profile.
Bottom Line:
This is my home pour. I use it for after-work pours over a big rock or in my Manhattans. Seriously, folks, there’s no better whiskey than this for Manhattans. Period.
ABV: 58.65%
Average Price: $25,000
Michter’s selection for this single-barrel rye release is sourced from some of the finest barrels within the whiskey realm. Despite its age of 25 years and being aged in new oak, this whiskey possesses a remarkable set of nuanced flavors that is a testament to the magic of Michter’s and this bottle.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: It brings a sense of earthiness akin to dried white moss on a damp forest floor, juxtaposed with bitter yet oily espresso beans. There are also hints of expensive vanilla, golden-wrapped oranges, and a tang of damp black pepper.
Palate: The taste begins with golden sultanas drawing you in, accompanied by a clear hint of clove that borders on anise, perhaps black licorice. The vanilla persists but drier, as the orange oil evolves into a burnt note and a distant hint of salted, almost blackened cacao powder that announces the finish.
Finish: That finish leans towards a traditional Tellicherry cracked black pepper, but maintains the right degree of dryness while incorporating the perfect dash of dried fruit sweetness.
Bottom Line:
Admittedly, it’s priced on the higher side. The reason lies in its scarcity, having not been re-issued for a considerable period. Moreover, its delightful taste supports the cost. Connoisseurs of high-end whiskey will likely be eagerly expecting the next release around 2024 or 2025. It’s that commendable.
ABV: 56.4%
Average Price: $19,999
The anticipated fourth Michter’s Celebration release, the first since 2019, was debuted in early 2023 after a minor delay that moved its release to February 2023. The American whiskey is the result of a partnership between Michter’s Master Distiller Dan McKee and Maturation Master Andrea Wilson. They carefully selected seven whiskeys, aged from twelve to over thirty years, for this exclusive blend. Without diluting with water, this batch produced a limited quantity of 328 bottles worldwide.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: The aroma gently introduces dark chocolate enhanced with brown butter, Saigon cinnamon bark, and a faint hint of crème brûlée crafted with a touch of cognac.
Palate: The luxurious taste opens with a boozy vanilla flavor followed by winter spices including clove, anise, and nutmeg. It also features notes of stewed peaches, burnt orange, and singed marshmallows. The backdrop is filled with the fragrant aroma of old smoldering hickory and a scene of orchards with falling leaves. An undertone of creamy black cherry and candied pecans add a final touch to the mix.
Finish: Its finish is a blend of various flavors – the pecans fuse with the taste of woody maple syrup, and there is a hint of more cinnamon bark and orange-studded cloves. The ending leaves an impression of a mix of orchard fruits, nut, and dried fruits placed in an old wooden basket and tied with a thick, old twine and leather. A spiced chocolate cherry tobacco leaf in the middle enriches the final experience.
Final Thoughts:
If you are looking for a top-notch whiskey experience, many good whiskey bars across the country keep a bottle of this. It provides a wonderful experience of how delightful whiskey can be outside of being merely ‘bourbon’ or ‘rye’. Give it a shot!
ABV: 58.1%
Average Price: $10,002
The whiskey housed inside the bottle was created in 1998 or even earlier at an unspecified distillery located in Kentucky. The whiskey was produced using an original mash recipe. It was decanted into newly-crafted American white oak casks and left undisturbed until transferred to the Shively, Kentucky site for quality control assessments. When the aging process achieved the optimal maturity level – a credit to the finely-tuned skills of Michter’s team – a small, exclusive batch was prepared for this specific release and the whiskey was bottled exactly as it was.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: Opening with an intense aroma of old molasses barrels filled with prunes, dates, and raisins, there is a sense of winter spiced barks, berries, and buds alongside brown, buttery Christmas sugar cookies. These are deeply dipped in dark chocolate and sprinkled with crushed vanilla pods. Just at the end, there is a slight hint of smoked walnut shells and fire-charred chestnuts.
Palate: The flavour of molasses veers towards thick, spicy hot chocolate with a hint of red chili. A profound sensation of candied almonds pushes the taste towards a rich and sticky toffee pudding that is moist and salty, flaked with sea salt and zesty fresh orange. A touch of vanilla buttercream is also present.
Finish: The final notes are reminiscent of dried sweetgrass and aged autumn leaves in an apple orchard, featuring a hint of pear-brandy-drenched marzipan enveloped in pitch-dark chocolate. This is kissed with a blend of woody brown winter spices, packed in historic tobacco leaves and kept in an ancient whiskey barrel in a damp old brick rickhouse during a chilly fall day.
Bottom Line:
This freshly re-released whiskey is up for purchase, albeit at a high cost. It’s indeed a collector’s prized possession that would amazingly stand out in your collection. Plus, the bourbon whiskey’s unique flavor is unmatched save for a handful of other releases.
ABV: 54%
Average Price: $119
This particular whiskey traces its roots back to the historic time of Michter’s prior to the brand even being given the name “Michter’s.” Originating from the old Bomberger’s Distillery in Pennsylvania, the brand started its journey back in the year 1753. The whiskey contained in the bottle comes from a very limited batch of bourbons that were aged in Chinquapin oak. The staves for the barrel were exposed to the open air for three years before being coated in copper, charred, and filled. Finally, the Kentucky bourbon is bottled in a very limited batch, resulting in about 2,000 bottles annually.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: Sweet mashed grains similar to a bowl of Cream of Wheat with butter and molasses, mingle with sticky toffee pudding, worn saddle leather, aged cellar beams, paired with sweet cinnamon, a pinch of candied orange and dark chocolate, supplemented by a luscious eggnog authored with a hint of salt.
Palate: The palate possesses a super creamy texture, akin to crème brûlée, leading to soft winter spices, dry cedar, and orange-infused chocolates. There’s a subtle note of pear-brandy-soaked marzipan in the background.
Finish: The completion brings a creamed honey sensation along with brandy-soaked figs and rum-soaked prunes. Elements of fresh chewing tobacco and a sprinkle of salted dark chocolate lead back to the initial notes of dark chocolate and aged cellar floors, topped with a trace of smoldering orchard bark.
Bottom Line:
This is likely the most palatable bourbon on the list for anyone seeking a more elevated bourbon experience. It transcends the classic and lands in “quintessential” territory due to a profile that surpasses the ordinary and ventures into the extraordinary. Regardless of whether it’s bourbon or not, this whiskey is simply delicious.
ABV: 57.1%
Average Price: $4,889
Master Distiller Dan McKee personally selects these (at least) 20-year-old barrels from the Michter’s rickhouses based on… I guess just “pure excellence” would be the right phrase. The bourbon is bottled as-is from the barrels.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: A sense of dark cherry with deep rummy molasses, dried rose petals, old almond shells, and cedar bark mingle with a fresh pipe tobacco leaf just kissed with apple and pear essence with a hint of vanilla oils and old wintry wine spices.
Palate: The taste leans into smoldering vanilla pods with a sense of old oak staves from a dusty old cellar next to sweet cinnamon and cherry over dried sage and sharp spearmint with a clove syrup base and a dash of toasted marshmallow sweetness.
Finish: The end is full of dark cherry and woody spice with moist marzipan, burnt orange oils, and chewy fresh tobacco wrapped up in old leather and cedar bark with a hint more of that old cellar sneaking in.
Bottom Line:
This is arguably the best of the best right now. It’s an amazingly deep and balanced sipper that goes beyond the average and becomes something transcendent. This is the bourbon pour we all dream of, especially on these cold winter nights. It’s that special.
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