Michter's US*1 Barrel Strength Bourbon

Tasting: 2.0 oz neat in a glen cairn glass, followed by 2 drops of distilled water. Proof: 109.7. Aroma: (4.75) Chocolate, cinnamon, and toasted rye bread with a hint of dill. The aroma is wonderfully rich and inviting. Palate: (4.75) A rich, buttery texture. Dark chocolate transitions into cherry and spicy rye. Adding 2 drops reveals more sweet brown sugar and slightly reduces the spiciness. Rye enthusiasts will appreciate it without water. Bourbon lovers will enjoy the sweet, sugary notes after adding water. Finish: (4.5) Medium to long and satisfying. Warm, buttery bread and nutmeg are the dominant notes. Overall: This is among the finest ryes I've sampled this year. It is incredibly full, rich, and complex. Each pour offers a new discovery in taste or finish. I've deliberately held back my full evaluation to ensure my assessment was thorough before expressing strong enthusiasm. Having finished two-thirds of the first bottle and purchased a second, I am confident... this is an exceptional rye!

Given the $10 per glass price, I couldn't pass it up, and since I generally favor barrel-proof spirits, my expectations were high. The nose presents a sharp cinnamon and vanilla aroma, accompanied by significant burn. After allowing it to rest for about 10 minutes, I took a sip, and it was intensely hot. This heat persisted throughout, masking some other flavors, though I detected hints of butter and caramel near the end. The warmth lingered on my tongue for a good 15-20 seconds before fading, leaving a pleasant residue of musky oak. To be honest, I was somewhat let down, as the heat was a bit too dominant for my preference, but as is often the case, I'll need to try it again in the future to see if my view evolves.

The aroma is sweet, reminiscent of brown sugar. The palate presents abundant oak, complemented by notes of caramel and butterscotch. These tastes dissipate swiftly, yielding to a subtle vanilla finish as the alcohol emerges. It's not overly harsh, considering its proof. A fine barrel-strength bottling that justifies its retail cost.

The price seems justified in a tasting flight. Intense vanilla flavor with notes of oak and berries. The vanilla and oak are prominent. Excellent when paired with dried bananas... I seem to really enjoy dried bananas. It was bottled at 110 proof. This was my personal favorite among the four, including the 10-year-old.

The aroma is quite pleasant, with sweetness and a hint of brown sugar. The taste is well-rounded, featuring vanilla, some oak, and a sweetness that doesn't match its alcohol content. The finish has a touch of spice.

It's quite excellent. A significant alcohol burn, as anticipated, but the flavor is superb. Abundant wood, oak, baking spices, and some sweetness are present.