Michter's 20 Year Kentucky Straight Bourbon (2021 Release)

Discovered this at a hotel bar in DC. It was part of a package deal with a Pale Ale, costing $100 less than the spirit alone. Opportunities to try Michters 20 are rare, so I decided to go for it. The aroma is a powerhouse of brown sugar, with notes of oak, vanilla, cinnamon, and baking spices. The taste is incredibly robust and classic bourbon. It's somewhat drying and quite oak-forward, but still absolutely amazing. I wished for a touch more sweetness and vanilla on the palate, something hinted at by the nose, but I'm just nitpicking. The finish is likely still going as you read this; it lingers like few others. Was it worth $200? Given it was a 2oz serving, a twice-yearly release I'd never encountered before, and in the wild? Definitely. It was a fantastic conclusion to a memorable day in DC, especially celebrating some recent good fortune. Hell yeah.

It truly clings to the glass. The aroma presents ripe fruit like prunes and raisins, followed by cacao, leather, tobacco, and vanilla frosting. It's a bit intense initially, but as it settles, it opens up, revealing all the aromas, plus caramel and burnt sugar. It takes 3-5 minutes to fully develop. It's astounding. I can't pinpoint exactly why it's so impressive, but this really shifted my perspective and set a new standard for what I consider an incredible bourbon. The harmony and subtlety are rivaled by only a select few I've been fortunate enough to sample.

Hard to put into words, but it's the most intense, well-rounded bourbon I've ever had. Fantastic notes of brown sugar, caramel, a hint of oak, and creamy vanilla. It coats both the palate and the glass.

Smells of sweet pecans and caramel. The flavor is more sweet notes with a smooth finish. An excellent pour.

Is it worth the cost? No. Amazing? Yes.

Mediocre.