Michter's US*1 Barrel Strength Kentucky Straight Rye (2021 Release)

Nose opens with…wow. Dried fruit (lemon, lime, orange), rye spice, oatmeal, mint, pepper, and green oak. The aroma is complex, potent, and lacks ethanol. Enticing. On the palate, this is the ultimate example of a “sweet and spicy” rye. There’s a lot happening here, and I’ll try to capture as much as possible. Sweetness in the form of poppyseed muffin, dried apple chips, lime, and molasses. Spice in the form of cinnamon, black pepper, chili pepper, and raw rye grain. Ever tasted a rye Triscuit? There’s some of that in here. The flavors are rich and robust. The finish becomes decidedly spicy and lasts what feels like an eternity. Herbal notes emerge with peppermint, anise, more chili pepper, oregano, and dill. The mouthfeel is medium-bodied, lively, and bone dry, and while not a flaw, it's the only aspect of this whiskey that isn't absolutely stellar. Quite possibly the finest rye I've ever tasted. Quintessential; not too herbal, not too sweet, not too spicy (though it might come close on that last one). At $150, I overpaid when I found it, but I have no regrets about the purchase. Would I buy it again at a 33% markup? Likely.

Compared to the barrel strength toasted rye, the nose has noticeably less oak. A bit of honey upfront. The finish is dominated by rye spice that simply endures. It's smooth with almost no burn. This is a pleasant whiskey but is somewhat one-dimensional. I might be alone in this opinion, but this is likely my least favorite Michter's rye. I genuinely appreciate the campfire notes in the toasted barrel, the complexity of the 10 year, and the vanilla notes in the standard rye. This isn't bad, but considering the price, one could find better. Barrel 21B375. Proof 106.8.

Angel’s Envy Finished Rye presents a maple syrup/Christmas morning profile that is so sweet, it should be considered a dessert. This has a similar flavor profile, but without the overwhelming sweetness, the right amount of heat, and the classic Michter's notes evident—a distinctive, delightful pour. If I wanted bourbon for breakfast, this would be the choice (and I love breakfast).

I can't award it a perfect score because I believe there's always room for improvement, but this is about the finest whiskey I've ever tasted. I had it alongside the Jack Daniels barrel proof rye, and gave both nearly flawless scores. Out of 100, I'd say 98 is about right. And if you can find it at retail, there isn't a better bottle anywhere!

Tasted after Michters 10 Very similar nose and flavor profile. Outstanding. Vanilla, caramel, dry oak finish. Long finish 23Mar24 Revisit Palate has a sweet raisin paste flavor. Fades to licorice and oak. Coats the tongue nicely.

A very tasty rye. A fairly long finish. Intense spice with a smooth minty finish. It bears some resemblance to 20 Handy. Possibly superior. Positioned between Booker's and Handy.