Michter's 10 Year Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Rye (2021 Release)

Neat. Neck pour. So frickin excited. Got this for retail, another bottle off the bucket list. I have received a sample of M10 Rye before but this is the first bottle I have own. This nose is amazing. I could live in this forever. Curious how is this bottle is because the oak over the top awesome. It smells like an old Rick house in the summer. Getting this lovely cherry and vanilla frosting. The rye brings this nice white pepper. Bit of graham cracker. There is a brightness to it from the rye but it really doesn’t present itself as a rye on the nose due to the oak and cherry. I typically don’t comment about the oil on the glass, but this is ridiculously oily. Interestingly, despite being so oily it feels thin on the tongue. Darn proof. There are some amazing flavors in here though, oh my. Initially it is a bit flavorless on the tongue. Minor sweetness like brown sugar mixed with water. Things pick up mid palate and the finish is killer. Mid palate this is a cherry cordial, the chocolate, the vanilla cream, the cherry. Towards the finish, the oak comes in with a strong wave escalates the cherry cordial even more and brings some pepper. The pepper is the only rye characteristic on this. The oak just keeps going. Delightful pour. The amount of oak on this rye is unlike any other rye I have ever had. The oldest ryes I own are around 8 years. I wouldn’t be surprised if this is close to 12 years. I know the proof is a turnoff for some people but I would gladly buy another one if these when this one is gone.

The nose is a beautiful mix of pine, floral rye, vanilla, spearmint, red apple and a touch of butterscotch sweetness. It is very inviting and very easy to get lost in. Definitely gives the impression it is beyond 10 years old. The palate is somewhat oily and reaches the corners of the mouth with a rich rye spice, with charred oak and vanilla enveloping the sides of the mouth while the spicier notes stay mid palate. The fruitier notes are more subtle and underlying and are more noticed on the back of the palate as you swallow. The finish is long spicy with a very pleasant amount of rye swirling around the mouth that only just tingles as you keep chewing on the whiskey. Oak and a slight astringency balance it out while a whisper of creaminess fades slowly.

I just can't get into it... I dunno if it was the barrel I had or what but the Michters rye profile was almost medicinal or chemical to me. I'm a big rye drinker but this one was the biggest let down of the year. For reference my ideal rye is Lock Stock and Barrel which is 100% rye but I do occasionally enjoy the 51% rye blends.

Bottle open about a year, thought I already added my notes. Nose: peppery caramel with mint Palette: cola and vanilla up front. Very smooth with a medium body. Back palette is spicy with baking spice and pepper. Some caramel sweetness sneaks in. Not too oaky, but the dryness is there. More mint and anise on the finish.

Great. I’m not a huge fan of rye but would be a bigger fan if they were all like this. Most michter products are good from what I’ve had. This is sweet and fruity but has that beautiful rye spice in taste. I have no right to say this, but I’m getting pear through this and it’s lovely.

Mint and Maple nose. Sweet maple delivers on the palate. Medium finish and the rye spice lingers. Very nice. Sample bottle from an old friend. Thanks Jeff.