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

Was gifted a sample of this by someone who doesn't know I'm not big on ryes. However, I know this is a popular / sought after offering, so I am excited to dive in. Nose: ethanol, black licorice (anis), light honey, milk chocolate, there's some kind of salty toffee/caramel sweetness behind the chocolate I'm struggling to identify, lots of red fruit sweetness, tobacco. ok, let's go in for a sip. Palate: pepper and honey, very light, some tobacco, a sweet cherry, red apple Ryes: kind of drying, rye spice, sweet, oak tannins The nose is nice and complex, but the palate and finish are really lacking for me. It's really light, and not much going on, along with some of those rye characteristics. Aside from the nose, I'd consider this a cheap, easy drinker. If this was a blind taste, I'd definitely think it was cheapy with the simple palate and quick finish. Definitely not something I'd chase at MSRP or secondary. 65/100 - really debating on giving this a "Sure I'll take some" or "I'll pass" rating b/c I know the cost of this and its rarity. This is an easy drinker b/c there is so little going on I'd throw it back and need a refill without even thinking about whiskey. I'll go with "I'll pass" b/c of the cost and rarity and leave it for someone else. If it was $40-60 I'd take some and not worry about how quickly I drank it. *Not sure what year this bottle was, but given that this is much lower ranked and reviewed than the 2021, I'll put this under 2020.

Taste: 2oz. neat in glen cairn. Barrel 20E906 Nose: Immediately hit with wintergreen, chocolate, and tart berries (cranberries?). The nose reminds me of Christmas time. There is a marzipan note in the background. This is very nice. Taste: Rich, buttery rye greets me on entry. Chocolate, spearmint candy leaves, and toffee are front and center. The spicy rye seeds linger on the palate into the finish. A hint of cranberry is again detectable. The tartness is well received, and is tempered by the chocolate note. Finish: This is a finish for days. Chocolate and the marzipan I got on the nose is balanced by spicier wintergreen and anise, but the anise does not make it bitter like black licorice. Overall: This is an absolute hit for me, and Michter's has done it again! To me, Michter's does much better with their rye than their bourbon. That said I feel their bourbon is stupendous which makes their Rye extra special. Often I balk at the price, but I am always a buyer. I am from the camp that bourbon and rye that go in at a lower entry proof than the industry standard 125 (in Michter's case 103!) results in a richer, fuller, more condensed and flavorful whiskey because less water is used as a cut. You pay for that though because the yield is so much less. Don't be put off by price here- in this case you are getting what you pay for. This one is special.

*Rating is price relative Nose: Cinnamon, clove, rye spice Palate: Dried fruits, cinnamon, oak, rye spice, hints of toffee Finish: Long with cinnamon, clove, a hint of butterscotch, and just the right amount of spice to tie all of those together I'm a big Michter's fan in general and this one does not disappoint. I feel that this is a rye that even those who only drink bourbon could really appreciate. A lot of delicate flavors and a long beautiful finish without overpowering rye spice. This is a buy on sight for me.(at ~retail price)

Nose: popcorn and graham crackers. Kind of similar nose to Thomas h handy honestly. Creamy too. Palate: very creamy and earthy. Not too strong and not much bite being a rye. Super smooth. Very oily on the second sip and more flavors come out. That popcorn showed on the second sip. Finish: really really amazing finish. Lingering spice that literally lasts as long as a GTS finish. Really shocked at how good this rye is. Paid $160 and I could probably do it again. Definitely on par with Thomas H Handy too btw.

Butterscotch and honey on the nose with a subtle baking spice aroma in the background. The more I nose it, I pinpoint the aroma - reminds me of wassail (with orange peel). Now let’s drink... lots of toffee. And caramel. Little spice in the finish that fades quickly. Rounds out with lots of vanilla and oak. One of the sweeter ryes I’ve had. Guessing the rye in this mash bill is pretty close to that 51%. This is a lovely rye.

Nose: oak, burnt brown sugar, rye spice, citrus Taste: mild brown sugar sweetness, dry prunes, citrus that makes your mouth water, oaky flavor that leaves a slight bitterness behind, oily, long legs on this one. The citrusy flavor makes your mouth water and your tongue tingle. The burnt bitter oak flavor lingers with the citrusy note for a very long finish.