Michter's 10 Year Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon (2023 Release)

This was a thoughtful Father's Day gift. A truly special treat that I likely wouldn't have bought for myself due to its high cost, which slightly impacted my rating. Setting the price aside, it's an exquisite expression by any standard. Additionally, the alcohol content is somewhat elevated compared to most, which carries through to the finish. Ultimately, this one isn't worth the money. I prefer the Weller 12 year for half the price.

A robust Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey aged for at least 10 years in new charred American white oak barrels and bottled at 94.4 proof. It presents a strong aromatic beginning with hints of grain, wood, fruit, and spices; its rich maturation adds notes of sweet corn, cherry, marmalade, dark toffee, and vanilla; culminating in a balanced, medium-length finish with notes of charred oak, bread, tobacco, leather, and earth. October 2023

It tastes like you had some cheap tobacco and the only way to smoke it was with a water bong, and you used the water to make coffee and then filtered it. After that process, you took some well-aged Old Forester and mixed it with the filtered tobacco coffee bong water. It was a 23 A batch that I disappointingly tried. Not very good on the palate at all. The nose was fantastic.

It's richer, more flavorful, and thicker than the typical 10 year offering. It appears darker and tastes older than a 10 year. The nose offers caramel, maple syrup, pecan pie, honey, mint chocolate, apricots, vanilla, toasted marshmallows, and butterscotch. The palate includes caramel, morello cherries, nutmeg, licorice, cinnamon, butterscotch, toffee, maple syrup, dark chocolate, and pumpkin pie. The finish features pecans, ginger, zested oranges, and maple syrup.

“A” Barrel Aroma: aged oak, vanilla, hint of licorice. Much more potent than expected for 94 proof. Taste: savory profile. Drinks stronger than 94 proof, good mouthfeel. Lacks complexity but delivers oak notes effectively. Flavorful without being overwhelming. Finish: dark chocolate, bitter espresso. More aged oak. 8 on the t8ke scale

The more I consume this, the more enjoyable it becomes! The nose is incredible with everything that comes at you. Caramelized sugar, molasses, baked apples, and caramel. The palate is rich; you get the aged oak and caramelized fruits. The finish is a bit brief, but it's damn good.