Michter's US*1 Barrel Strength Kentucky Straight Rye (2019 Release)

Tasting: 2 oz. neat in a glen cairn glass. Nose: (4.75) Chocolate, cherries, toasted buttered rye bread, red apples, cereal bars, and smoke. An incredibly luxurious aroma. It's so appealing that you immediately want to taste it. This is rich. Palate (5.0): The apples and brown sugar are noticeable, followed by a spicy kick, possibly allspice. That rich dark chocolate and cherry are present on the back palate. It's reminiscent of biting into a chocolate-covered cherry cordial. The mouthfeel is buttery, not heavy or coating. The legs are thick and slow-moving. Finish: (5.0) Sweet cream butter, chocolate, rye, and a wisp of smoke. The cereal bar note from the nose reappears. There's also some well-behaved oak. Overall: I've delayed rating this until now. Its initial intensity and deliciousness made me hesitant to form a quick judgment. The conclusion is clear... unquestionably, if not THE top rye available. I'm still torn between this and Cornerstone Rye. They are distinct, comparable to choosing between a classic Corvette and a Shelby GT 500 – different vehicles, both magnificent in their own right.

Michter's Rye Aroma: Peppery spice, a strong initial impact. Taste: Light yet fiery, with an intense boldness. Finish: Short finish, dry, with a subtle lingering oak bitterness. Tasted July 2021 -55.1% 🌑Aroma: Distinctly different from Single Barrel Rye; inhaling reveals bright floral notes, spiciness, and a hint of vanilla, which are drawn in like a vacuum cleaner. However, the sharp 55% alcohol is not noticeable, allowing for deeper inhalation. This might be a product of Michter's quality management. 🌗Taste: While the texture isn't overpowering, the flavor and spice are quite rich. Within three seconds of entering the mouth, the spiciness spreads, simultaneously offering a pleasantly astringent yet sweet oak flavor. Compared to the previous two products, which were like refined Korean cuisine at lower proofs, this product is like complex Chinese cuisine with intense aromas and full flavors. 🌕Finish: Exhaled breath releases rich peppermint and floral notes, followed by a bitter oak taste. The quality oak used makes one wish to savor this sensation further.

Received as a sample through a whiskey exchange program. I enjoyed this considerably, and I'm rather discerning with rye. Aroma: Toasted nuts, dark sugars, baking spices, and herbal notes such as dill and fresh cucumber. Flavor: More caramelized sugars and baking spices, additional fresh cucumber, and a pleasing buttery texture. Less intense heat than anticipated. Finish: Moderately long, with spice and baking spices. A very direct rye with excellent flavors and a superb balance of sweet and heat. Definitely recommended.

Subtle rye aroma featuring prominent caramel and vanilla. The palate initially registers rye, then unfolds into a complex flavor profile, masking the rye and revealing a dark date undertone, transitioning to sweeter marshmallow, a touch of tea leaf oak, and baking spice, culminating in a long, intricate finish. A superb rye.

Excellent rye. This one sparks considerable debate, with opinions sharply divided. I count myself among its admirers. It offers a pleasant citrus and caramel upfront taste without any harshness. It's smooth, with a light oak and banana nut bread finish. I've bought it every time I've spotted it.

Rated 95/100 for the 2019 bottling. It's unequivocally the best rye I've tasted this year. The low rye mashbill provides a touch of sweetness that complements the palate. Exceptionally well-crafted. It has a viscous texture and a long finish, hitting all the right notes.