Michter's US*1 Sour Mash Whiskey

I'm surprised I hadn't tried this staple whiskey before. I enjoy the brand's bourbon, and I prefer the rye even more. This is a bourbon-rye blend, so it should be solid if everything goes well. Nose: Abundant vanilla, caramel, gala apple, toffee, and brown sugar. Hints of maple pecan and toasted almond. Cocoa, nutmeg, sawdust, black pepper, clove, a touch of pipe smoke, and a strong oak presence. Palate: Plenty of toasted almond. Gala apple. Piquant black pepper. Milk chocolate, caramel, brown sugar, toffee, and vanilla. High viscosity. A bit leathery. Some cherry, and a menthol sensation. Clove, nutmeg, and oak. Finish: Gala apple and caramel. Some menthol, spearmint. Cinnamon, black pepper, clove, and nutmeg. Similar to a Red Hot tamale. Ample oak. A moderate to long finish. Surprisingly intense on the way down. I got an amazing value on this bottle. It masterfully combines the best characteristics of the brand's Bourbon and their rye. 4.5/5. Excellent value for money. Paying $40 for a bottle of this caliber is a steal. It's the best of the three options – this, their rye, and their bourbon – in that order. I'm eager to sample the American Oak after this impressive performance.

This Michter's Sour Mash is a very enjoyable drink. While it doesn't have the richness of other Michter's versions, it holds its own. The aroma reminded me of caramel and nougat candy, with a sweetness similar to smelling a box of raisins or figs. The palate is pleasant, very light, not too sweet, and definitely not harsh. There's a subtle taste of honey, rye bread, and yes, a sour or sourdough-like note on the finish. I would purchase this again, as it's a great drink, especially considering it was allocated in my area. I suggest drinking it neat due to the lower alcohol content.

This presents a nose dominated by oak. I also detect a hint of nutmeg and black cherry, as others have noted. Palate features some vanilla, oak, and butterscotch. The mouthfeel is thin. Finish is astringent and somewhat dry. Notes of leather, sweet oak, and honey spread on white bread, with a touch of pepper. The unblended American whiskey is far superior to this. I regret not purchasing another bottle of that one.

During a blind whiskey tasting with friends, its thinness was the most noticeable characteristic. It likely didn't fare well against the other bourbons because it had the lowest proof and was surrounded by superior whiskies. I found it to be okay, and I might rate it higher if tasted on its own.

I'm not detecting much here. The nose and palate are average, low proof, and standard with mild sweetness, caramel, and oak. The finish has a faint tang or tartness, but maybe that's just a psychological effect from the name "sour mash". I'm uncertain if adding previously fermented mash from an earlier batch significantly alters the aromas or taste.

A dependable drink. I've only poured once so far, but I liked it. It has all the traditional bourbon flavors, with a subtle, not off-putting, earthy corn taste underneath. The price isn't bad, but it's surprisingly hard to locate around here. It's uncertain if I'd buy it again at $50.