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

I received a sample of this from someone who knows I'm not particularly fond of ryes. However, knowing this is a popular and sought-after spirit, I was eager to try it. Nose: Ethanol, black licorice (anise), light honey, milk chocolate, and a salty toffee/caramel sweetness beneath the chocolate that I'm having trouble identifying, along with plenty of red fruit sweetness and tobacco. Alright, time for a sip. Palate: Pepper and honey, very subtle, some tobacco, a sweet cherry, and red apple. Rye characteristics: Somewhat drying, rye spice, sweet, oak tannins. The nose is pleasant and complex, but the palate and finish are quite lacking for me. It's very light with not much happening, along with some of those typical rye characteristics. Aside from the nose, I'd consider this an inexpensive, easy-drinking spirit. If I tasted this blind, I'd definitely think it was cheap due to the simple palate and quick finish. It's certainly not something I'd pursue at MSRP or secondary market prices. My rating is 65/100. I'm really torn between giving it a "Sure, I'll take some" or "I'll pass" rating, considering its cost and rarity. It's an easy drinker because there's so little going on that I'd finish it quickly and want a refill without even thinking about the whiskey itself. I'll lean towards "I'll pass" due to the expense and scarcity, leaving it for someone else. If it were priced at $40-60, I'd happily buy some and not worry about how fast I drank it. *I'm not sure of the year this bottle is from, but given that it's ranked and reviewed lower than the 2021 release, I'll categorize it under 2020.

Taste: 2oz. neat in a glen cairn. Barrel 20E906 Nose: Immediately greeted by wintergreen, chocolate, and tart berries (cranberries?). The aroma evokes the holiday season. A subtle note of marzipan is present in the background. This is quite pleasing. Taste: Rich, buttery rye appears upon entry. Chocolate, spearmint candy, and toffee are prominent. The spicy rye seeds linger on the palate into the finish. A hint of cranberry reappears. The tartness is well-balanced by the chocolate notes. Finish: This finish is exceptionally long. Chocolate and the marzipan detected on the nose are balanced by spicier wintergreen and anise, but the anise doesn't introduce bitterness like black licorice. Overall: This is a resounding success for me, and this distillery has done it again! I find their rye superior to their bourbon, which is saying something, as I consider their bourbon to be outstanding. While I sometimes hesitate at the price, I always end up buying it. I subscribe to the idea that spirits entering the barrel at a lower proof than the industry standard of 125 (in this case, 103!) result in a richer, fuller, more concentrated, and flavorful whiskey because less water is used for dilution. You do pay for that, though, as the yield is significantly lower. Don't be deterred by the cost here; you are getting excellent value. This one is special.

*Rating is relative to price. Nose: Cinnamon, clove, rye spice. Palate: Dried fruits, cinnamon, oak, rye spice, hints of toffee. Finish: Long with cinnamon, clove, a hint of butterscotch, and just the right amount of spice to unify all those elements. I'm a big fan of this brand in general, and this one lives up to expectations. I feel this is a rye that even those who exclusively drink bourbon could really enjoy. It has many delicate flavors and a long, beautiful finish without being overwhelmingly spicy. This is a must-buy for me (at approximately the retail price).

Smell of popcorn and graham crackers. Reminds me a lot of Thomas H Handy. Also creamy. Taste: quite creamy and earthy. Not overly powerful and not much sting for a rye. Extremely smooth. Quite slick on the second taste and more flavors appear. That popcorn note returned on the second taste. Finish: truly, truly fantastic finish. Lasting spice that endures as long as a GTS finish. Truly surprised by how excellent this rye is. Spent $160 and I would likely purchase it again. Undoubtedly as good as Thomas H Handy too, by the way.

Butterscotch and honey on the nose with a subtle baking spice aroma in the background. The more I smell it, I can identify the aroma - it reminds me of wassail (with orange peel). Now for the taste... lots of toffee. And caramel. A little spice in the finish that fades quickly. It finishes with lots of vanilla and oak. This is one of the sweeter ryes I have encountered. I suspect the rye content in this mash bill is pretty close to that 51%. This is a delightful rye.

Smell: oak, burnt brown sugar, rye spice, citrus Taste: mild brown sugar sweetness, dry prunes, mouthwatering citrus, oaky flavor that leaves a slight bitterness, oily texture, with long legs. The citrus flavor makes your mouth water and your tongue tingle. The burnt, bitter oak flavor lingers with the citrus note for a very extended finish.