Michter's 10 Year Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon (2020 Release)

This might very well be the finest bourbon I've ever had the pleasure of sampling. The mouthfeel is exceptional, coating the entire palate with a wonderful sweet, oaky flavor. Here’s an interesting anecdote from the second time I experienced this bourbon. My wife and I were heading to a nice restaurant for a date night. As we entered, I couldn't help but admire their well-stocked bar. A gentleman, who wasn't a host, bartender, or waiter, noticed my interest and approached me. He came to our table after we were seated and discussed the great bourbons they offered and my preferences. I observed that he didn't engage with any other tables or customers. When our waiter arrived, I opted for the Michter’s American Whiskey, a more economical choice, as the prices for the premium pours were significantly higher than what I'd pay at my preferred local bar. It's quite understandable for individuals not deeply familiar with bourbon to get confused by the various terminology like small batch, single barrel, barrel proof, etc. When I requested that whiskey, my waiter immediately spoke with the bartender. As he was likely unsure which Michter’s I wanted, given they had most of the bottles displayed, he and the bartender conversed, which I could see from our table. Shortly after, the gentleman who had initially discussed bourbon with me joined them and pointed to the very top shelf, where bottles like George T Stagg, Old Fitz BiB, Weller CYPB, and my cherished Michter’s 10yr were located. That pour was, as expected, much more expensive than I intended to spend, and it wasn't what I had ordered. As the bartender ascended the ladder to retrieve that Michter’s 10yr, the gentleman who had indicated the bottle approached my table to apologize for the delay and mentioned they had to retrieve my whiskey from the top shelf (which I had already witnessed). Knowing they were about to pour the bourbon I hadn't requested, I felt a mix of frustration about the unexpected cost and excitement due to my fondness for the whiskey. And naturally, not wanting to be difficult, I didn't want to stop them from pouring the wrong bourbon and rush to the bar. So, the waiter returned and brought my drink. One sip confirmed it was the 10yr. Such a fantastic palate that saturates the entire mouth. I forgot about the price and simply savored the taste. By the end of the meal, having enjoyed my whiskey and food, I inquired about the bourbon I had received again. The waiter kindly confirmed it was the Michter’s American Whiskey, priced at $11 for the pour. I offered a brief thanks, gave him a generous tip for the experience, and departed very content. Cheers! (Disclaimer: I acknowledge that the American Whiskey is not technically a bourbon, so please excuse any potential inaccuracies in my terminology throughout this account.)

Michter’s 10 2020 Bottling Initial pour Appearance: Light amber. Pale bronze. Undulating legs form and descend at the same rate. Aroma: A dusty barrel filled with salted peanuts, dried peaches, mixed nuts, cherry blossoms, and chewy caramel candies. This truly possesses one of the most complex aromas I've ever experienced. Taste: Immediate notes of honeyed oak, cherries, and a musty funk. Other orchard fruits are mingled in as well. The musty nuttiness here makes me consider the speculation that this is sourced from Heaven Hill. Perhaps Beam? Finish: By no means dry or astringent. Juicy sensation across the lips from beginning to end. Abundant complexity. Dried stone fruit emerges (perhaps even some banana??) on the exhale, and I continuously rub my tongue against the roof of my mouth trying to capture the final traces of that dusty, nutty barrel. *Nearly* all the flavor integrity found in a barrel proof, but without the high alcohol content or the intense warmth. Rating reduced due to cost and availability. While this remains excellent, I would not pay full price for it if I encountered it again. A friend was exceptionally generous, so I didn't have to spend as much. Very appreciative! UPDATE 3/20/22: I find myself not actively seeking this bottle over time and have considered giving it away or trading it. Reducing score to 3.75.

2020 bottling, a sample provided by a friend, thank you! Appearance: pale amber, the legs are thin and quickly descend the glencairn glass, leaving behind copper droplets. Nose: I must say this is one of the most intriguing aromas I've encountered. While I can't identify every scent, immediately after removing the lid, I detect vanilla frosting on a sweet, moist vanilla cupcake. How could that not be described as delicious? Following the initial wave of sweetness, I notice stone fruit, a hint of banana, tart blueberry, and an underlying aroma of iron, almost like bloody minerals. I'm also uncertain if this metallic iron has an iodine undertone, or if I'm mistaken. Palate: The stone fruit notes continue prominently. It's not as juicy sweet as nectarine, closer to an apricot that still retains some tartness. A subtle musty peanut flavor balances the fruit. There's a prominent brown sugar taste on the tip of my tongue and a slight barrel char on the roof of my mouth. Finish: I had high expectations for a substantial finish, but the thin body doesn't allow it to linger. Typical oak and brown sugar are present, along with an interesting note I can only describe as the scent of the dusty remnants inside a vanilla wafer box. I truly wish I could experience this straight from the barrel.

Tasting notes: 2 oz. neat in a glencairn, then 2 oz with 2 drops of water. Aroma: Caramel, vanilla, cherry, and marshmallow with notes of oak and a light woody scent. Taste: An overwhelming butterscotch flavor! It tastes like those popular yellow candies and caramel-vanilla sweets. Oak is present in the background, with a subtle nutmeg hint on the finish. This is like drinking a bowl of candy. Finish: Medium and warming. The butterscotch sensation remains on the palate, leaving a desire for more, complemented by a touch of nutmeg for balance. Overall: I'm a big admirer of this one! It's incredibly easy to drink and captures the essence of a grandmother's candy collection without being overly sweet. The texture is luxuriously smooth and buttery. I appreciate the brand's approach with the lower 103 entry proof, as it contributes remarkable texture and layers of flavor without excessive dilution. This might have received a perfect score from me if the proof was higher. I'm not dissatisfied in any way; it's just that the water seemed to dilute it slightly, and I prefer to adjust my bourbon to my preference. However, the 94.4 proof straight from the bottle was spot on. While $130 is a substantial price, if you have the means, don't hesitate to acquire a superb bourbon.

This bourbon offers familiar notes, but its value proposition heavily influences this assessment. It resembles many excellent bourbons with typical bourbon characteristics, such as New Riff, Four Roses SB, and Heaven Hill BiB 7yr. However, this particular bourbon has a shorter finish and lower proof, yet it costs more than double these other options. While it might be 10 years old, that's its only distinguishing feature, and it's still overpriced at $130. In terms of flavor, it's adequate but not exceptional. It's best saved for when a friend wants to show off their collection and offers this.

Rating is relative to cost. Smell: Cinnamon, Clove, Nutmeg Taste: Vanilla, Oak, Cinnamon Finish: Moderate to long, with vanilla giving way to cinnamon. This is a very capable bourbon, particularly if you are a fan of the brand. I am indeed a fan and plan to keep some on hand if possible. To my palate, it is a more intricate version of their standard small batch bourbon and its finish is particularly noteworthy. If the brand's standard offerings do not appeal to you, you might consider spending your funds elsewhere.