2022 bottling - ran into this at MSRP (maybe a skosh high, but at a total wine in Louisville), so why not... Nose is grainy, but in a pleasant way...cornmeal/cornbread...splash of bonus brown sugar, lighter fruit, some strawberry in particular, but also some spice. Generally light and sweet. Flavor allows a bit more oak and surprisingly a bit of ethanol, but it remains an easy sipper. The finish is the highlight of this whiskey, as it has serious staying power for the ABV, and in a very, very pleasant fashion. This rating is a challenge...as I feel it should be more like a $60/70 a bottle pour, but then it would be really good (based upon the finish) at that price point. Notched it a quarter point higher when all was said and done as the long, oaky finish is worth the price of admission...though I'll treat this bottle with care and let it linger for a few years!
About this bottle
Shenk's Homestead Sour Mash is a brand released by Michter's and named to honor John Shenk, the founder of the distillery in 1753 which would eventually be called Michter's Distillery in Pennsylvania. This whiskey is made with (and named for) the sour mash process where a portion of the previously distilled whiskey mash (also called a setback or spent mash) is added to the next mash cook to ensure consistency of flavor among other benefits. This is released in small batches with the batch # and bottle # listed on the label.
Reviews
Showing the most detailed of 41 parsed reviews.
1/11/19 - I like the nose up front but the rest seems a little young and may need a little while to open up. I bet in a month or so this will really be nice. The finish does linger, which is nice. 6.7/10 now, but could go up UPDATE 2/25/19 Wow, this has really changed, for the better! The nose is root beer-like that’s sweet, some vanilla and honey. The palate is smooth with a little sting and the sweetness still present from the nose. The finish is definitely delivers way better than before. Less spice, root beer taste comes through with a end reminding you of the wood and heat for a slight hug. This got really, really good. 8.8/10
1st dram notes from a 750ml bottle purchase... color - nice golden amber/copper, nose: it's bourbon and it's pronounced, not soft and it lingers for a long time. Taste: Cherry, chocolate, vinalla, carmel… it's a candy bar of sorts... Is this Willits or Noah's Mill? I know it's bottled by Michter's from the label and I know it's made in KY, that's all I know for certain. I like this dram a lot even if it's only 45% abv. Medium finish. I'll gladly polish this bottle off but at this price, I'll probably spend my money on others... 8/8/2019 update: at $69.99 it's a steal... I bought a second bottle!
Shenks 2022 91.2 proof Rich French toast crust color the nose is super fruit with hints of apricot, blueberry, and apple. Boom first sip is a flavor explosion lots of flavors hitting all at once. Falling away to a subtle relaxing finish with notes of dark chocolate and apple. Second sip blueberry bomb pop (think just the base) along with ripe apple (think warm and soft but not rotten or baked). The surprise here is the flavor power at 91 proof and the ability to cover the palate even though it has a super light mouthfeel.
Very good. Not very common to find this in Colorado so was super happy to finally get this locally. Reminds me a lot of Buffalo Trace products, which is kind of surprising since this is from Michter. Lots of fruit notes, especially orange zest, and a hint of vanilla. This blows the standard Michter's sour mash out of the water.
Nose- slight astringent, brown sugar, sweet tea. Body- This is great! Sweet fruit notes, brown sugar, sweet tea, and a bit of apple pie Finish- The sweet tea gives way to a clear and very nice sweet tobacco note. A first for me. Recommended by Jason at Bluegrass Tavern. Shit this is good!
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