Michter's US*1 Kentucky Straight Rye

Single barrel #23A0001. Kentucky straight rye whiskey with 4 years in oak, bottled at 42.4% ABV. Tasted neat. Nice red copper color in the glass, with light coating legs. Nose is sweet corn, maple, vanilla, peaches. Light and soft, with a little grassy spice hidden in there. In the mouth, soft and white sugar sweet, a little vanilla and oak, but... WOW, the overpowering initial taste is wrapped up in the oily coating mouthfeel (surprised me given the light legs). A little spice appears in that floral fruit sweetness, but mainly holds off to the finish. Finish shows dry oak, tannic leather, and light grassy rye spice. It's not an overpowering rye, but the flavor is there. Just a little sour to help balance the sweet. And then it goes DRY, covering the other notes, and the finish is fairly quick (again, considering the oily mouthfeel). But it's pleasant, leaving no off flavors, and begging for another sip. Forget water or ice--this comes set at the right proof. While this doesn't WOW me, it's a really fine sipping rye. Can definitely tell this is an 85 proof rye, high on the corn content (don't know the mashbill percentages, but low 50s rye is my guess). Would love to see what this is like at 90 or 100 proof, but... What we have here is an easy entry point into rye and whiskey, very approachable, and yet not bottom shelf in taste or price. As usual, im going to keep thinking about this bottle, and will get back to you over time.

Aroma: Definitely could smell citrus, vanilla, little bit of rye notes coming from the back. Oak notes start to dominate. With a touch of sweet corn. Palete: Has a good taste with vanilla, spices and oak. Rye notes start to rise. It is surprisingly smooth for a rye whiskey, and I love mine on ice which makes it even more smooth. As the ice melts it brings out the oils and makes it like dark velvet made out of toffee. Finish: Long lingering, with overtones of citrus and oak. This one is definitely a go to, and probably one of my favorites for now .

Nose: Butterscotch. Palate: (Drank with an ice cube) Rye spice; "Old library book" that I get from pretty much every rye I've had (and I love it). Sweet. Butterscotch returns as the ice dissolves. Nice! Finish: Somewhat short, with lingering rye spice. I like Rye. Most of the ones that I have had are very similar to each other. It's not like Bourbon where I get a multitude of different profiles from bottle to bottle. I try to have at least one Rye around at any given time. So, as far as Rye goes, I would definitely buy this.

Nose: honey, pepper & vanilla Palatte: honey, spice, and coats the mouth Finish: cinnamon, oak, medium finish and the spice sits with you for awhile I personally wouldn't buy this as a sipper. Just not to my taste. Great introduction to rye but I'm finding that I may enjoy a whiskey with rye notes I'm not a fan of a straight rye. It lacks the umami of a smoky scotch or the sweetness of a bourbon. I just can't find myself searching for this on a Friday night pour.

Michter's US* Single Barrel Straight Rye Whiskey is a balanced, single barrel Straight Rye Whiskey by Michter's Distillery in Kentucky made with a recipe from 1753. It has an aromatic birth with notes of rye grain, marzipan & Cracker Jacks; while a spicy & savory life adds notes of stewed rye grain with marmalade & a hint of butterscotch candy; that led to a long & balanced death with notes of pepper & port wine. October 2020 / August 2022 / October 2023

Glass: Glencairn, rested 15 minutes. Color: Medium amber. Nose: Raisin and oak with some baking spice. Palate: Spicy cinnamon and baking spice. Finish: Long length with medium heat. Splash: No new flavors are revealed. Overall: 7/10 - This is decent rye, decently priced, but fell somewhat short of my expectations. Would probably hold up in a cocktail, but isn’t exceptional on its own. $15/2oz