Michter's US*1 Barrel Strength Rye

HIGH-TEST RYE SHOWDOWN Willet 4-Year Straight Rye Whiskey, Rare Release Michter’s US*1 Barrel Strength Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey Pikesville Straight Rye Whiskey Recent notes from @angstrom on Willet 4-Year Straight Rye Whiskey and @jdriip on Pikesville Straight Rye Whiskey prompted me to have a showdown between these two high-test ryes, as well as Michter’s US*1 Barrel Strength Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey. It’s been some time since I’ve had each of them, but I know that I’ve loved all three. I created this showdown not only to see if my previous (unnoted) verdicts were correct, but also to see how well they would stand up beside each other. Expected rye spiciness on the palate presents as light white pepper before finishing with vanilla. Willet The Willet carries a four-year age statement and is bottled at 119 proof. Lightest of the three in color, although the differences are not stark; shows as deep tawny burnt orange. Unmistakable rye nose—by far the most “rye-like” of the three—with freshly crushed green pine needles, orange oil, milk chocolate, cinnamon apple pie, faint banana (not as much as I recalled), basil, and spearmint. Lightest and fruitiest of the three. The ethanol is there, but well integrated at 119 proof. Full mouthfeel, where the heat becomes apparent before finishing with a nice pull of vanilla, spicy pepper, ethanol, and the lingering cool spearmint. The heat is more noticeable on the finish—not completely unexpected given the proof. The back-end spiciness and heat is more than I recall, and puts the entire experience a little out of balance (this speaking from the perspective who loves high-octane whisk(e)y neat). Very good. 4.0 on the Distiller scale. Michter’s This bottle doesn’t carry an age statement. It is a limited release, and bottled at 112.6 proof. The deep mahogany color is the darkest of the three. Not as “obviously rye” on the nose as the Willet: more akin to a high-rye bourbon in comparison, with vanilla, pomander, caramel, some grilled peaches, pound cake, and sassafras. The rye is there, but more in the background. Smooth, mouthcoating palate adds cherry pipe tobacco. Long finish, with white pepper similar to, but not as overpowering as, the Willet, with lingering orange creamsicle. This is only my second bottle; I finished the first one a couple of years ago, and have been saving this one, but opened it for this tasting. And I’m glad I did. 4.75 “and a half” on the Distiller scale. The only thing holding it back from a perfect 5.0 for me is the thought that a longer quantified age statement may make it even more otherworldly. The pervasive depth, breadth, complexity, and smoothness is in the same league as the George T. Stagg and William Larue Weller that I had and reviewed just last night (8/16/2002). When this limited release is released, run, don’t walk, to get a bottle. Pikesville Pikesville is a Heaven Hill product, is “at least” six years old, and is bottled at 110 proof. Clear orange mahogany color is the second darkest of the three. Recognizable rye nose, between the Willet and Michter’s in terms of prevalence. Nose of milk chocolate, espresso, green pine needles, mincemeat pie, fruity cobbler crust, and some herbal sage and grassy notes. Most viscous mouthfeel of the three, with more sweet mince pie, with a not-dissimilar-to-the-others white pepper spiciness and vanilla on the finish. Very good; I’ll always have a bottle. But it lacks the complexity of the Michter’s. 4.25 on the Distiller scale. These are all very good high-test rye whiskies. I’d be happy to drink any of them (and I was this evening). The Michter’s is the clear winner for me, followed by the Pikesville and the Willet. N.B. All spirits tasted neat in Glencairn glasses.

Nose: Oak, brown sugar, herbs, and vanilla. Not a funky dill bomb, but does have all those baking spices - clove, nutmeg, cinnamon, allspice, etc. Strawberry and banana are way out front, as well. Sandalwood shaving cream. Subtle coffee and cocoa. Mint, thyme, basil, etc. A boozy take on a classic rye with added fruit. Nice. Palate: Oak, caramel, bananas, strawberries, canned vanilla flavored frosting. Mint, thyme, etc. Hot cinnamon. Tanning present will, alongside a solid whack of char (though not a ton). Also getting orange-flavored chocolate and leader. A little top-heavy, but that's likely the proof. Comes out mostly in the mid palate. Medium mouthfeel, with decent oil content. Finish: A swell of oak, vanilla, and bubblegum. A sprig of mint in a bowl of strawberry ice cream. Slightly creamy flavors mingle in as we slowly fade out. Medium long length. Other notes: Michter's distillery character carries through their expressions so well while never feeling out of place. The higher proof here just amplifies that character into some really great territory. If you're a fan of rye, this might be a fun adventure, though it may not be exactly what you expect, with the herbal and baking spice notes you might generally expect being crowded out a little by fruit. All that said, if you dig Michter's or Rye, I'd get a bottle. Probably not a re-buy from me though.

I tried a pour of Michter’s US*1 Barrel Strength Rye at a whisk(e)y bar that was recommended to me along with a pour of Pikesville Straight Rye (reviewed separately). This sample was from a 2019 release and bottled at 55.4% ABV, a touch higher than the Pikesville. As with my review for that dram, I didn’t feel it was the right setting to take detailed notes and dissect every element of it. So I‘m going with an overall “impressions” tasting. To cut to the chase, I actually preferred the Pikesville Straight Rye. The Michter’s Barrel Strength Rye was very spicy, drank like 110+ proof, and was not as rich or flavorful to my tastebuds. And, at about $80 a bottle, I don’t think you’re getting as good VFM. With its profile, I feel like you’d just be purchasing an expensive, ultra-premium mixer. Or you’d be buying it knowing you’re always going to have it with a large cube of ice like the Distiller review suggests. I’d rate the Michter’s Barrel Strength Rye a 3.5, but if I was taking cost into higher consideration, I might go with 3.25. Thankfully I only tried a pour; I don’t think I’d seek a bottle.

2019 edition Another classic example of someone in the kentucky area needing to get whisky shipped back to the kentucky area. Nose - Christmas spice, wheat toast, vanilla and mint together, some under cooked yeasty bread, Taste - spice, mint, rye bread, oak, caramel, and some tobacco. Really complex, could use some age to mellow out a few rough notes (see the 10 year rye which I can't get but tried last night for what age can do). Very nice and a must get for a rye fan. I don't any of those off putting dill notes, the oak is there and not that overly young stuff. This will be a super high end cocktail mixer that is worth the premium and because of that, I'm going 3.25 as this has some special notes.

This one is a banger. Almost done with the bottle I grabbed last may. I've had a lot of time to see it develop over that time. Age: NAS Nose: caramel, cherry, vanilla, spice cake Palate: Viscous (Not Cornerstone viscous though) oily. Not super spicy. Apple, allspice, vanilla. Mouth coating. Finish: fairly long. Great hug. Solid minute or so. Perhaps the weakest link however. This is an extremely easy drinking barrel proof rye. I did a side by side with cornerstone...twice. it fell short of that, but it's $100 less. For the price, it's incredible. It's definitely a sweet rye...not spicy. If you're looking for a Willett type experience you will be disappointed. If you're a bourbon lover, this rye will be your jam.

2020 Edition Got lucky and a local store took care of me on this one and let me get it 75 out the door. Always drink with your local store owners! Nose - cherry's and pie crust. Light rye spice over caramel. Extremely inviting with apples and cherries and baking spice with a very nice oak overlay. Taste - I get some of those same fruits here, but I get a lot of pie crust filling with a heavy spicing. Cherries are certainly here and I love them. Rich creamy mouth feel. There's a touch of a waxy element. Finish is reasonably long. I'm not sure what I scored the 2019 nor which is better, but I'd go 3.0. Really like this one. If I scored the other one higher, it's a bit of subjectivity.