Bomberger's Declaration (2020 Release)

Nose: Full spiced apple pie aroma comes through first, then cinnamon, with whispers of caramel and oak char. Front: Sweetness hits first, both brown and smooth, followed by the alcohol's warmth alongside oak and deep, leathery wood notes. The sweetness fades, revealing a smooth, creamy mouthfeel and just a touch of tannin. Finish: Sweet cinnamon warmth lingers. There's a unique quality to this brand that's noticeable in this pour. I appreciate this creation; it's robust but not overwhelming, clearly benefiting from time. A friend shared this sample; I haven't seen the full bottle myself. I suspect it might be a rare find if you're searching for it, but if you stumble upon it at a bar or store, it's worth seeking out. It shares some characteristics with a particular aged single barrel offering from the same distillery, yet it's distinct enough to stand on its own. Here's to expertly made bourbon. Cheers!

Score: 18/23 This expression is significantly more robust and superior to the 2019 version. It features notes of wood, subtle orange essence, spices, and semi-sweet chocolate, with a touch of caramel. A gentle background hints at its age, but without the dusty quality of a 15-year-old, suggesting it's closer to a decade old. While not exceptionally intricate, it possesses a pleasant balance. I can savor this thoughtfully for a period, but not for an extended duration. I considered a score of 17 but decided on 18. It's quite good, yet I can acquire superior bourbon for considerably less. I deliberated for some time about purchasing a bottle of this and am relieved I did not. It's possible the decanter I sampled had been on a bar shelf in inadequate climate control for over a year and suffered from such conditions, but I suspect it is merely over-publicized.

Rich, caramel, and sweet on the nose. Even at its stated proof, it didn't overwhelm the senses; it was quite subtle. With the glass held closer, more vanilla emerges. After some time in the glass, a touch of brown sugar appears. The palate is robust but not overpowering, carrying the sweetness from the nose. It's delightful. A hint of tannin and a dash of spice appear on the finish, but everything remains balanced without being weak. More bourbons could learn from this.

This is what I call outstanding bourbon. It impacts your taste buds in every dimension with its baking spice, oak, sweet buttery texture, silky smoothness, nutty notes, and fuller mouthfeel. The aroma is so captivating, I feel I could inhale it all day. Following consumption, just leave the glass as it is; tomorrow, you can still detect its remarkable fragrance. It has a medium to long finish, which I find excellent. I hope Michter's releases more bottles in the future that are as good as this one.

Nose: Caramel, Chocolate, Oranges, Pecans, Walnuts, Peaches, Vanilla Buttercream Forest, Leather, Cinnamon, Oak, Baking Spices, Anise, Oak, Bananas Palate: Oranges, Vanilla, Walnuts, Pecans, Bananas, Caramel, Honey, Nutmeg, Licorice, Cinnamon, Anise Finish: Oranges, Apricots, Bananas, Cherries, Vanilla, Coconut, Caramel, Leather, Dark Chocolate, Brown Sugar

A bartender recommended this following a pleasant discussion about our preferred Bourbons. Truly, I am impressed and astonished. The scent was delightful and reminiscent of deep brown sugar. The taste also featured brown sugar notes alongside coffee and crème brûlée. An amazing conclusion.. It offered a coffee and crème sensation as the glass opened up and with a few drops of water. I must acquire a bottle of this.