Low Key, Michter’s Got Us Into Whiskey

Afro Beer Chick. One Half Of The Neat Pour Podcast + Michter’s 10 Single Barrel Bourbon

Aside from noticing the Michter’s Celebration every time it appeared on Showtime’s Billions, this distillery was our first home bar purchase.

Before cruising The Bourbon Trail or getting overly friendly with our local bottle shops, we always knew that we loved the profile of Michter’s whiskeys…and you could find them everywhere. 

Michter’s Small Batch US 1, the bourbon and the rye with their low, approachable proof the spicy, sweet, syrupy profile draws us all in.  Their special releases are mythical, Michters 25 is something we’ll never encounter and the aforementioned Celebration carries a $5000 price tag on secondary right now.

One Of Last Year’s Best Releases- Cask Strength Toasted Barrel Rye

As much I appreciate what this crew did to help us find our palate, there’s an issue with the 10yr lineup (Straight Rye, Kentucky Bourbon). They are nearly triple the price of the core lineup and roughly check in at the same proof point as the standard offerings.

There was a similar issue for us with Buffalo Trace’s Blanton’s Gold 103 proof (130$) to Blanton’s 93 proof (65$). Not saying proof is everything but on the Michter’s bottles you’re left searching for subtle nuances to the  point where it doesn’t feel worth the effort to explore the older offerings.

To be clear, the texture on the 10yr releases is noticeably more engaging. It sticks to the palate with a nice richness that is slighted more elevated.

The whispers of berry, peach and baker’s chocolate are more noticeable. I’ve got a feeling that the family of M20 releases (20yr Bourbon, 25yr Rye, 25yr Bourbon) would be a different vibe in part because I’ve tried the Willett Family Estate 20yr and that remarkably aged whiskey is also rumored to be sourced from Willett. 

US*1 Single Barrel Straight Rye. The 1st Bar Purchase

The one Michter’s release we’ve had access to that stood the tallest is that Toasted Barrel Cask Strength Rye. Low barrel entry proof and toasting before charring their barrels are two signatures of the distillery across all the brands. It was one of my favorite whiskeys of 2020.

Smoked aromatics in a way that reminds of a mezcal, herbal and rich with a grilled pineapple quality to it. Hints of creme brûlée and almost this marshmallow over an open flame vibe that can’t be denied. While we can’t speak to the what the 25 year portfolio offers, this is the most fun of all the Michters we’ve had on the show thus far. 

Be sure to check out Episode 12, Episode 15 and Episode 19 of The Neat Pour Podcast for a deep dive into US1 OG Sour Mash, Straight Bourbon, Straight Rye,  10yr Straight Rye, Cask Strength Toasted Barrel Rye and Single Barrel 10yr Bourbon. Michters is a brand that dates back to the 1700s and is a hybrid of Michael and Peter, the children of the founder. They have a Whiskey Row location in downtown Louisville with main production in Shivley, KY.

—The Neat Pour

This Fuggin Guy. The Family Lush -Raleigh

Other Notes: 

-Michter’s doesn’t reveal their mashbill were sourcing for a while as their distillate is currently aging and hasn’t yet to be released. 

-It is believed that the products on the shelf currently have been contract distilled by an undisclosed Kentucky producer and customized to Michter’s specifications. 

-Be sure to check out Episode 12, Episode 15 and Episode 19 of The Neat Pour Podcast for a deep dive into Michter’s. 

We Found Our Perfect Drug