Michter's US*1 American Whiskey

MICHTER'S AMERICAN WHISKEY BATCH 2212937 I appreciate how Brown-Foreman consistently innovates with Mashbills, Barreling, and Blending, a trend reflected even in their core Jack Daniel's line. This particular venture is quite intriguing, and I was eager to try it. *NOSE: Smells of sawdust, brown sugar, Bananas Foster, with subtle hints of fresh latex paint and black pepper. *NEAT: This is exceptionally good. It has a buttery texture, delicate yet complex. There are no harsh notes or sharp edges; the flavors are full and well-rounded. It's reminiscent of art by Monet or Rubens rather than Picasso or Braque. Flavors include vanilla, caramel, buttercream icing, cream soda, and light coconut, with mild tannins emerging at the end. The finish is smooth and easy, with a surprising warmth that gradually spreads. A pleasant coating of No. 2 pencil and cherry vanilla Coke is noticeable. *SPLASH: Adding a few drops of water reveals cocoa powder on the nose, and cocoa, oak, and black pepper spice on the palate. *VERDICT: While it might diminish my whiskey expertise, I must say... it's smooth. And by smooth, I mean exceptionally smooth without being dull. That's quite an achievement. For those who prefer more character, a drop or two of water releases oils and introduces spice. This is definitely the standout in the Michter's range for me so far (I plan to purchase a backup bottle before they disappear) and ranks among the best Brown-Foreman products I've tasted.

Continuing my review of unassessed whiskies from my inventory. Also continuing with my color experiments: this pour is a transparent shade of Pantone 159 (https://www.pantone-colours.com), slightly more reddish than recent samples. I haven't sampled this whiskey in several years, but I consistently recall from my initial tasting an unusual sweetness, akin to artificial sweetener. I'm detecting that peculiar sweetness again, though artificial sweetener might not be the most accurate comparison. Imagine if wax-bottle candy and Corn Pops produced offspring; that’s the sweetness on the aroma. There’s also vanilla present, not the extract kind, but reminiscent of vanilla cake frosting. The palate has a faint viscosity and a lingering sweetness matching that vanilla frosting. This whiskey desperately needs an additional 15 or more proof points. It drinks like a watered-down version of whiskey. It lacks body. It's not inherently flawed or rough; rather, it lacks depth and complexity. There's an artificial quality to it; with bourbon, one anticipates natural flavors and a robust warmth. Of course, this isn't bourbon but whiskey, and perhaps its use of previously employed barrels (instead of the new charred oak barrels required for a bourbon designation) is its downfall. This is neither a neat sipper nor suitable for cocktails. It's interesting to experience, but not something I'd keep stocked. 2.75 out of 5 stars. Batch # 17J1369. 83.4 proof. Note: All spirits were tasted neat in a Glencairn glass.

This is the final entry from the primary range I am evaluating. Overall, it's been a satisfying journey through these expressions. My exploration commenced nearly ten years ago with the bourbon, so it was time to address this one. Nose: Prominent brown sugar notes, accompanied by the scent of sawdust and toasted nuts like almond and macadamia. Hints of caramel and vanilla are present, along with cocoa and black pepper. Gala apple notes are detectable, as are fig and date. It brings to mind Welch's White Grape Juice, with undertones of clove, nutmeg, and oak. Palate: Echoes of the brown sugar from the nose, alongside Gala apple. Vanilla, caramel, and toffee flavors are present. Dried apricot, fig, and date emerge, followed by milk chocolate and a hint of Valentine's raspberry chocolate. Notes of leather, black pepper, and black tea are also perceived. Finish: Toasted almond and macadamia nut notes are prominent. Sawdust and white pepper are detected. Gala apple and leather notes appear. Dried apricot, fig, and date are present. It has a moderate length. Undertones of clove, nutmeg, and significant oak are noticeable. Interestingly, this profile bears the closest resemblance to the Sour Mash among the other three standard expressions. It's rich with dark, dried fruit and possesses heavier sweet characteristics compared to the Small Batch Bourbon's lighter, primarily sweet profile (think banana, vanilla, toffee dominance). This is a solid offering. I favor the Sour Mash between the two as it more effectively conveys the character it aims for. The 41.7% ABV might be a bit restrained for this spirit, but aside from that, I have no issues. It offers excellent value for $40. Another core expression concluded. Moving on to the 10-year. Well executed, Michter's. The entire range is of high quality. 4/5.

Largely consistent with a previous note (9/15/23), though not quite as harsh. Before even pouring, I recalled my sucralose/wax candy sweetness that I'd experienced previously. It's still there, though more on the wax candy than the sucralose side. Nose shows sawdust, honey, buttered pancake, and Corn Pops cereal. Sweet Corn Pops and a cooling licorice note on the palate. Some sweet burnt sugar and bitter espresso on the finish. This whiskey sits squarely in the middle of no-man's land in terms of practical applicability. It needs another 15 proof points minimum as a cocktail mixer, and it lacks the stuffing as a sipper. As the official reviewer notes, this would be a good "introductory" whiskey--it's sweet and there are no hard edges. But not noteworthy. Would I buy it again? Doubtful. 3.25 on the reviewer scale.

The aroma features caramel and oak prominently, with notes of chocolate-covered cherries and a hint of cinnamon and cereal. The taste is notably sweet, with caramel and vanilla, and a buttery quality, reminiscent of a dark chocolate buckeye candy. The finish is very brief, which might be expected given the alcohol percentage. Overall, the aroma and taste are delightful, but the finish is lacking. It would be better at a higher proof, but it's still good and suitable for beginners.

My sense of smell isn't the best, but this presents as a genuinely pleasant sweet caramel on the nose with a hint of honey. The taste is incredibly smooth and warm; it's sweet honey caramel with a gentle nudge going down. The finish is nice, leaving a slight tingle and spice followed by a thick aftertaste reminiscent of honey. This is one of the most pleasing sippers I've encountered so far. It's not overly complicated, but it excels at what it does.