Michter's 10 Year Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon (2021 Release)

I was gifted this and was eager to try it. It has an appealing amber hue. Barrel #2101159. Nose: Brown sugar, cinnamon, honey, allspice. The aroma is certainly a great harmony of sugar and spice. There's also some orange marmalade and perhaps a hint of dill in the background. Palate: This is even spicier than the nose indicates. There's very little sweetness, though the sweetness present is like burnt caramel. I also detect some bitter high-cocoa dark chocolate. There's a lot of black pepper and cinnamon. I'm unsure of the rye content, but the rye spice seems prominent, unless it's merely oak char resembling rye spice. Finish: Long, spicy, and oaky. The tannins linger on the sides of the tongue for a while. There's minimal sweetness on the finish, but I can savor the leathery taste for some time. Overall, it's packed with flavor. I find it less sweet than a typical bourbon, likely due to its age, which isn't necessarily a drawback. I would certainly recommend it.

Nose: Caramel, cherry, water chestnut, with faint vanilla in the background, but it's all rather subdued. Later, hints of rye and damp oak emerge. Body: Medium. Palate: Caramel and chocolate, followed by waves of barrel char and smoke that I absolutely adore. Later, vanilla and cola notes appear. Finish: Medium to long, significantly smokier and more carameled than the initial palate and nose suggested. It presents as an initial wave of sweetness with a slow-developing finish. Absolutely delicious. Note: High expectations for this. This was another excellent purchase from 1010 Washington, the best liquor store ever. This might be the finest ten-year-old whiskey. The finish lasts much longer than the nose implies, lingering with smoke for about a minute. Incredible. This outperforms its 47.2% ABV significantly. It surpasses the first iteration I sampled, whose year I can't recall, but this is truly amazing.

Engaging in a bourbon tasting session on Super Bowl Sunday, and this selection is included. My prior experience with it a few years back was favorable, so I am eager to sample this bottling before the festivities commence. The aroma is robust and appealing, dominated by sweet caramel and apples. A nutty character is present, fluctuating between hazel and pecan. Minimal alcohol presence detected. This is luxurious. The palate mirrors the aroma, though the apple notes diminish as the sweetness intensifies. Excellent texture and a subtle bitter oak emerges upon chewing. This concludes with a sweet, enduring caramel corn finish.

Nose - honey, pepper, apple, cherries, cloves, cinnamon spices and even a touch of nutmeg. Truly delightful aroma. Taste - Wow... this is incredibly smooth. The mouthfeel is rather thin. But the taste is solid... a really pleasing oak character. A little bit of smoke on the finish with a hint of cinnamon candy... I am definitely picking up an earthy/nutty note in the middle of the palate. Conclusion - Like most of Michter's products, this one isn't worth the cost. The aroma is fantastic, the taste is solid, but the mouthfeel and finish are lacking. Honestly, it drinks more like a $70-80 bottle.

Comparing this side-by-side with the barrel strength rye and regular Michter's makes me appreciate this much more than the initial taste I had. I enjoy how its body and flavor stand up to the high proof of the barrel strength, and it's vastly different from the harshness of the regular version. It's sweeter and smoother than that rye. Excellent. I wouldn't spend $149 on it again, though...

The nose immediately presents a blend of aromas, primarily sweetness, cinnamon, and apples. The initial sip is exceptionally smooth and rich, reminiscent of an older bourbon. It offers a warming sweetness with a developing, long, peppery finish marked by char. This is a remarkably solid pour.