Michter's 10 Year Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon (2020 Release)

This may quite well be the best bourbon I have ever had the pleasure of trying. The mouthfeel is incredible, as it coats the entire palate with a great sweet, oaky flavor. Here’s a fun little story on the second time I ever got to have this bourbon. My wife and I were headed out to this nicer restaurant for a date night, and as we walked in, I couldn’t help but gaze up at the well-stocked bar they had upon entering. A gentleman who was neither host, nor bartender, nor waiter, immediately saw my intrigue and began to take interest in me. He came up to my table as we were seated and talked to me about all of the great bourbons they had and what I was interested in. I noticed he did not go around to any table nor did he interact with any other customer. When our waiter came around, I decided to go with the Michter’s American Whiskey, a cheaper selection, as the prices for the nicer pours were well over the prices that I knew I could get at my favorite bar down the street. It’s quite easy for most folks who are not bourbon people, to get confused with all of the small verbiage of the different bourbon selections, such as small batch, single barrel, barrel proof, etc. When I requested that whiskey, my waiter immediately went up to the bar and told the bartender something. As I’m sure he was confused on which Michter’s I had wanted, as they had most bottles up there at the bar, him and the bartender were talking back and forth, as I could see them from my table. Soon after, the gentleman who had discussed bourbon with me earlier walked over to them and then pointed to the tippety top shelf where they had bottles such as George T Stagg, Old Fitz BiB, Weller CYPB, and my beloved Michter’s 10yr. Now that pour was again well over what I wanted to pay for it, and it was not what I ordered. As the bartender climbed up the ladder to grab that Michter’s 10yr, the gentleman who had pointed to that bottle in the first place came over to my table to apologize that things were taking a while and let me know they had to climb to the top shelf to retrieve my whiskey (which of course I saw it all play out anyways). Knowing they were about to pour the bourbon that I did not order, I felt a little frustrated that I was going to pay quite a bit when I was not expecting to, but also a little excited because I knew how much I loved the whiskey. And of course, not wanting to be “that guy”, I wasn’t going to tell him they were pouring the wrong bourbon and dramatically run up to the bar before they did. So the waiter came back and brought my drink, I took one sip and knew exactly that they brought the 10yr. Such a fantastic palate that coats the entire mouth. I forgot about how much I was going to have to pay and simply enjoyed what I was tasting. Now by the end of the meal, I had enjoyed my whiskey and food, and as the waiter came around, to bring the check, I asked him what bourbon I had been given again, and he kindly reminded me that I had ordered the Michter’s American Whiskey, priced at $11 for the pour. I said a quick little thank you, gave him a nice tip for the experience and left a very happy man. Cheers! (Disclaimer: I realize that the American Whiskey is not actually a bourbon so forgive my possible misuse throughout the story.)

Michter’s 10 2020 Release Neck pour Appearance: Light amber. Pale bronze. Wavy legs form and fall in synchronization. Nose: A dusty barrel full of salted peanuts, dried peaches, trail mix, cherry blossoms, and chewy caramel candies. This really has one of the most intricate noses I have ever experienced. Taste: Immediate honeyed oak, cherries, and musty funk. There are other orchard fruits mixed in as well. The musty nuttiness in this makes me want to believe the rumors that this is sourced from Heaven Hill. Maybe Beam? Finish: By no means dry or drying. Juicy sips across the lips from start to finish. Complexity abounds. Dried stone fruit pops (maybe even some banana??) out on the exhale, and I keep rubbing my tongue across the roof of my mouth trying to catch the last few traces of that dusty nutty barrel. *Almost* all of the integrity of flavor you get in a barrel proof, but without the intensity of the ABV or Kentucky hug. Delicious stuff. Can’t wait to see how it changes with oxygen. Docked in rating for price and availability. While this is still fantastic, I wouldnt pay retail for it if I saw it again. A friend of mine was incredibly generous to me so I did not have to pay as much. Very grateful! 3/20/22 UPDATE: I really do not find myself seeking this bottle out over time and have considered giving it away or trading it somehow. Dropping to 3.75.

2020 release, sample given to me by @trentoniousmaximus thanks brother! Appearance: pale amber, legs are thin and run down the side of the glencairn fast leaving copper droplets behind Nose: I have to say this is one of the most interesting noses I’ve encountered. I can’t name every aroma, but immediately after removing the challenge coin I’m getting vanilla frosting on a sweet moist vanilla cupcake. How can that not scream DELICIOUS. After the initial sugar rush, I get stone fruit, a little banana, tart blueberry and a base aroma of iron..almost bloody minerals. I’m also having trouble discerning if this metallic iron has an iodine background, or if I’m insane. Palate: the stone fruit definitely continues. Not as juicy sweet as nectarine, closer to apricot that still has some tartness. There is a slight musty peanut that balances out the fruit. Big brown sugar on the tip of my tongue and slight barrel char on the roof of my mouth. Finish: I had high hopes of a big finish, but the thin body just can’t hang around. Typical oak and brown sugar, but the interesting note I can only describe as the smell of the dusty crumbs in a vanilla wafer box. I sure wish I knew what this tasted like straight from the barrel.

Tasting- 2 oz. In glen cairn neat, and then 2 oz with 2 drops of water. Nose: Caramel, vanilla, cherry, and marshmallow with oak and light sawdusty woodshop. Palate: A butterscotch bomb! Tastes like those yummy yellow candies and caramel-vanilla cremes. Their is oak in the background, and a hint of nutmeg on the finish. This is a liquid candy bowl Finish: Medium and warming. That butterscotch stays on the tongue and leaves you wanting more with a hint of nutmeg to round it all out.. Overall- Big fan of this one! Super sippable and has all the flavors of grandma's candy dish without cloying sweetness. The texture is velvety smooth and buttery. I love what Michter's does with the low 103 entry proof. It adds incredible texture and layers of flavor without all of the water. This may have been a 5/5 for me if it was higher in proof. I am not complaining about it at all, it is jist that water seemed to thin it a bit, and I like to dial my bourbon in to my liking. That said....the 94.4 proof from the bottle hit the spot perfectly. $130 is a high pricetag to pay, but if you got it, do not hesitate to use it to grab a spectacular bourbon.

Classic bourbon flavors but this rating mainly has to do with the price. Reminiscent of many good bourbons with classic bourbon flavors - New Riff, Four Roses SB, and Heaven Hill BiB 7yr to name a few. But this bourbon has a shorter finish and lower proof but it's more than twice the price of all these bourbons. The age may be at 10yr but that's all that makes this bottle different than most - but still overpriced at $130 a bottle. Flavor-wise, it's a good bourbon, but just good. Save your money and drink it when your bourbon friend is trying to show off their collection and pours you this.

*Rating is price relative Nose: Cinnamon, Clove, Nutmeg Palate: Vanilla, Oak, Cinnamon Finish: Medium/Long with vanilla transitioning into cinnamon. This is a really solid bourbon, especially if you're a Michter's fan. I happen to be a fan and will keep this around if I can. To me. this is a more complex version of their standard small batch bourbon and really shines on the finish. If you're not a fan of Michter's standard offerings, you may want to spend your $120 elsewhere.