Michter's US*1 Kentucky Straight Bourbon, 1 x 700ml

Product Information

You don’t have to spend hundreds on fancy bottles to drink excellent Bourbon. In fact, there are some fantastic lesser-known bottles hiding in price points that you wouldn’t expect. Simply add one sugar cube or ½ tsp. sugar, two dashes of Angostura bitters and garnish with a lemon or orange twist in a sturdy Old Fashioned glass to complete.

This offering is only released when supplies are sufficient and only released as a single barrel. What to Know: Michter’s Small Batch Bourbon receives the Full Beard Facial Hair Rating. Robust, wild and flowing, the Full Beard carries the sentiment of the semi civilized mountaineer living in a small cabin in the woods. Despite this immediate reactionary association, the Full Beard also finds itself entrenched in academia or even hipsterdom. It’s actually a highly maintained appearance, and not merely undeveloped as it may initially seem. As such, it carries a primitive yet tamed energy. Overall Small-Batch: There are no legally-defined parameters as to what “small-batch” actually means. However, it’s the term used for whiskey that’s been produced in select numbers on a limited basis.

10. Shenk’s Homestead Kentucky Sour Mash Whiskey 2022 Edition

Nose: Orchard fruits, butterscotch candies, and vanilla cake greet you on the nose with a hint of wooden spice. The next step differentiates Bourbon from whiskey. The mixture is pumped into a fermentation vat with yeast and, commonly, a sour mash mix. The mash is then distilled – mostly twice – to remove impurities and increase the strength of the liquid.

Generally speaking, when you see a whiskey labeled as “blended whiskey” or just “bourbon” (instead of “straight bourbon”), it’s a blend of whiskey with neutral grain spirits to help keep costs down and profits high. This expression is labeled as “Unblended,” specifically because it’s made with whiskey only (no grain spirits added). The whiskey in these bottles was aged in barrels that are “whiskey-soaked.” Once the whiskey is just right, it’s then blended and small-batch bottled. If you prefer to read about Bourbon before opening the bottle, jump to our sections below to learn more about Bourbon. Read more about the terms to know when talking about Bourbon or our methodology to select and rank the best Bourbon brands of the year. Four Roses Single Barrel: Overall best bourbon of 2023 Then, the barrels are charred, offering a smoky environment that almost caramelizes the liquid. The standard barrel size is 263 liters and weighs 225 kilos when full. What’s the difference between Bourbon and Whiskey?This much-loved spirit has a distinct flavor profile and a history to match. The time, care, dedication, and craftsmanship that goes into Bourbon make it quite unlike anything else you’ll spot in the liquor cupboard. In 1964, Congress even declared Bourbon “America’s Native Spirit.” For such a large brand, Michter’s definition of small batch is just that: small. At a maximum, each batch is limited to just 20 barrels. What to Know: But while this small-batch Bourbon has changed a few things over time, it’s kept its ‘super premium’ holding and taste. Blanton’s claims that it’s “the original single barrel Bourbon whiskey” and is known for its unique bottle shape. Less in a hearty cheers sense, and more in a marshmallow sense: In addition to aging some of its whiskey in special pre-whiskey-soaked barrels, Michter’s likes to play with the toast aspect of classic bourbon (all bourbon must be made in charred new American white oak barrels). In 2014, it began making “ Toasted Barrel” expressions of both its Straight Rye and Straight Bourbon. To make its Toasted Barrel expressions, Michter’s ages both its rye and bourbon for an extra 18 months in a barrel that, rather than being charred per usual standards, is gently toasted. The idea is to impart those caramel, woody, toasty notes and create another layer of interaction between the bourbon and browned oak.

Palate: That fruit becomes more dried and almost salted on the palate while bourbon vanilla and mild caramel sweetness mingle with cinnamon and nutmeg. Master Distiller Elmer T. Lee released Blanton’s Single Barrel Bourbon in 1984, at a time when the Bourbon industry appeared to be on a downward slope. But Blanton’s higher-rye mash bill proved a success, and the brand has risen from strength to strength over the years. Michter’s enters the mouth with a noticeable astringency. The earthy hints from the nose jump out immediately in the palate with recognizable wet forest soil. This theme continues with the rooted flavor of cherry belle radish coming through. Next, some wooden tones arise primarily in the form of cherry wood. This masculine profile gets balanced out with vanilla and sweet corn, but this aspect itself is tempered by aniseed. This bourbon’s palate experience stands out with its dry yet spicy earthiness. If not ready for all of it, it can certainly catch one by surprise. Finish Distillation: A process where a liquid is heated and cooled for purity. For whiskey specifically, this is the part of the process where any existing alcohol created during fermentation is removed. They stand out from other companies mainly for their use of a lower barrel entry proof (103 instead of 125) which results in fewer bottles per barrel.

3. Michter’s US*1 Single Barrel Straight Rye Whiskey 10 Years Old

Maker’s Mark isn’t as spicy as rye-influenced whiskeys, making it a great Bourbon for a pairing. And don’t be put off by the ‘whisky’ spelling: it uses a process similar to that of Scotch, but that’s where the similarities end.