Michter's US*1 Barrel Strength Rye

A CONTEST OF HIGH-PROOF RYES Willet 4-Year Straight Rye Whiskey, Rare Release Michter's US*1 Barrel Strength Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey Pikesville Straight Rye Whiskey Recent comments about Willet 4-Year Straight Rye Whiskey and Pikesville Straight Rye Whiskey from a fellow enthusiast led me to pit these two potent ryes against Michter's US*1 Barrel Strength Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey. It's been a while since I last sampled each, but I recall enjoying all three. I set up this comparison not only to confirm my prior (unrecorded) judgments but also to assess their performance side-by-side. The anticipated rye spice on the tongue manifests as mild white pepper, concluding with vanilla. Willet The Willet is labeled as four years old and bottled at 119 proof. It has the palest hue among the trio, though the difference isn't dramatic; it displays a deep tawny burnt orange. The aroma is undeniably rye-forward – the most "rye-like" of the three – with notes of freshly crushed green pine needles, orange zest, milk chocolate, cinnamon apple pie, a subtle hint of banana (less than I remembered), basil, and spearmint. It's the lightest and fruitiest of the group. The alcohol is present but well-integrated at 119 proof. It has a full mouthfeel, where the warmth becomes noticeable before a finish featuring a pleasant wave of vanilla, spicy pepper, alcohol, and the lingering cool spearmint. The heat is more pronounced on the finish – not entirely surprising given the proof. The spice and heat on the back end are stronger than I recalled, creating a slight imbalance in the overall experience (this coming from someone who enjoys high-proof whiskey neat). It's very good. Michter's This bottling lacks an age statement. It's a limited offering, bottled at 112.6 proof. Its deep mahogany color is the darkest of the three. The aroma isn't as "obviously rye" as the Willet; it leans more toward a high-rye bourbon, with vanilla, pomander, caramel, some grilled peaches, pound cake, and sassafras. The rye character is present but more subdued. The palate is smooth and coats the mouth, with added notes of cherry pipe tobacco. The finish is long, with white pepper reminiscent of, but less intense than, the Willet's, accompanied by a lingering orange creamsicle note. This is only my second bottle; I finished the first a couple of years ago and had been saving this one, but opened it for this tasting. I'm pleased I did. The only factor preventing a perfect 5.0 for me is the thought that a longer, stated age might elevate it further. Its pervasive depth, breadth, complexity, and smoothness rival the George T. Stagg and William Larue Weller I sampled and reviewed just last night (8/16/2002). When this limited release becomes available, hurry to acquire a bottle. Pikesville Pikesville is a Heaven Hill product, aged "at least" six years, and bottled at 110 proof. Its clear orange mahogany color is the second darkest. The rye aroma is recognizable, falling between the Willet and Michter's in intensity. The nose offers milk chocolate, espresso, green pine needles, mincemeat pie, fruity cobbler crust, and hints of herbal sage and grassy notes. It has the most viscous mouthfeel of the three, with a sweeter mince pie flavor, and a white pepper spice and vanilla on the finish that are similar to the others. It's very good; I will always keep a bottle. However, it lacks the complexity of the Michter's. These are all excellent high-proof rye whiskies. I would be content to drink any of them (and I did this evening). The Michter's is the clear winner for me, followed by the Pikesville and then the Willet. Note: All spirits were tasted neat in Glencairn glasses.

Nose: Oak, brown sugar, herbs, and vanilla. Not an overpowering dill aroma, but it does contain all those baking spices - clove, nutmeg, cinnamon, allspice, etc. Strawberry and banana are very prominent, as well. Sandalwood shaving cream. Subtle coffee and cocoa. Mint, thyme, basil, etc. A spirited take on a classic rye with added fruit. Appealing. Palate: Oak, caramel, bananas, strawberries, canned vanilla frosting. Mint, thyme, etc. Hot cinnamon. Oak is present, along with a solid amount of char (though not excessive). I also detect orange-flavored chocolate and leather. It's a bit top-heavy, likely due to the proof. It comes through mostly in the mid-palate. Medium mouthfeel, with good oil content. Finish: A wave of oak, vanilla, and bubblegum. A sprig of mint in a bowl of strawberry ice cream. Slightly creamy flavors blend in as it slowly fades. Medium-long length. Additional comments: Michter's distillery character is consistently evident in their expressions without ever feeling out of place. The higher proof here enhances that character into some truly excellent territory. If you enjoy rye, this could be an exciting exploration, though it might not be precisely what you anticipate, with the herbal and baking spice notes you might typically expect being somewhat overshadowed by fruit. All things considered, if you appreciate Michter's or rye, I recommend getting a bottle. However, it's probably not a repeat purchase for me.

I sampled Michter’s US*1 Barrel Strength Rye at a bar, following a recommendation, alongside Pikesville Straight Rye (reviewed separately). This particular sample was from a 2019 release, bottled at 55.4% ABV, slightly higher than the Pikesville. Similar to my assessment of that dram, the setting wasn't ideal for detailed note-taking and thorough analysis. Therefore, I'm sharing general impressions. To be direct, I actually favored the Pikesville Straight Rye. The Michter’s Barrel Strength Rye was intensely spicy, felt like it was over 110 proof, and lacked the richness and flavor depth for my palate. Considering its approximate $80 price tag, the value proposition isn't as strong. With its profile, it seems best suited as an expensive, premium mixer, or perhaps enjoyed with a large ice cube as suggested in a review. I'd assign the Michter’s Barrel Strength Rye a score of 3.5, potentially dropping to 3.25 if cost were a major factor. Fortunately, I only had a single serving; I wouldn't actively seek out a bottle.

This is another prime example of a Kentucky resident requiring whisky shipped to them. Nose - Holiday spice, toasted wheat, vanilla and mint combined, with some undercooked, yeasty dough. Taste - Spice, mint, rye bread, oak, caramel, and a touch of tobacco. It's quite intricate; some aging would soften a few harsh elements (consider the 10-year rye I tried recently to see the effect of age). Quite enjoyable and a must-have for rye enthusiasts. I detect none of the typical off-putting dill notes; the oak is present but not overly youthful. This will make a superb, high-end cocktail mixer deserving of its price, hence my 3.25 rating due to its unique qualities.

This is fantastic. I'm almost finished with the bottle I bought last May and have had ample opportunity to observe its evolution. Age: Not Applicable Nose: caramel, cherry, vanilla, spice cake Palate: Thick, oily texture, though not as thick as Cornerstone. Not particularly spicy. Notes of apple, allspice, vanilla. Coats the mouth. Finish: Quite long, offering a pleasant warmth that lasts about a minute. It's perhaps the least impressive part of the drink. This is an incredibly smooth barrel-proof rye that's easy to drink. I compared it directly to Cornerstone on two occasions and found it lacking, but it costs $100 less. Considering the price, it's exceptional. It's definitely a sweet rye, not spicy. If you're expecting a Willett-like experience, you'll be let down. However, bourbon enthusiasts will find this rye to be a real treat.

2020 Release I was fortunate that a local shop assisted me with obtaining this one for $75 out the door. Always support your local retailers! Nose - cherries and pie crust. A light rye spice over caramel. Extremely inviting with apples and cherries and baking spice complemented by a very nice oak overlay. Taste - I detect some of those same fruits, but I also get a lot of pie crust filling with heavy spicing. Cherries are definitely present and I enjoy them. Rich, creamy mouthfeel. There's a slight waxy element. The finish is reasonably long. I'm uncertain of my score for the 2019 version or which is superior, but I would give this a 3.0. I really like this one. If I rated the other one higher, it's somewhat subjective.