Michter's US*1 - Straight Rye - Single Barrel
$35
Michter’s US*1 – Straight Rye – Single Barrel
Barrel: 18J1585
Proof: 84.8
Age: NAS
Distillery: Michter’s Distillery LLC
Type: Straight Rye Whiskey
Mash: Over 51% Rye, Unknown Exact Percentages
Website: Michter’s Distillery
*Disclaimer: A score of 5 is the midpoint for my reviews. Above 5 I like it. Below 5 I didn’t for some reason. Most of my reviews are between 4-7. It takes something really really special to go above 7 or below 4. See the methodologies for rating at the end of the article
Nose: The Nose is warm and inviting. You get Rye Grain, Hay, Mellow Oak, Lemon Citrus, Brown Sugar, and a Hint of Vanilla.
Taste/Palate: In the first second this is very calm. The Rye spice then quickly turns up. It’s not overpowering. The spice then starts to fade into the midpalate where you pick up Medium Oak, Citrus, Toffee, and Fresh Leather.
Finish: This finishes our very timid. The Rye spice was all palate forward and in the finish you get More of the sweet and Mature Notes. There’s slight touch of Mint at the very end of the finish, but it’s barely noticeable and mild for a Straight Rye which I appreciate.
Verdict: This is my favorite non finished Ryes and one of my top 5 ryes of all time. Did I get lucky with a good barrel? Maybe, but I can confirm this is the second time I’ve tried the Michter’s Straight Rye Single Barrel and both times, both different barrels, I was very happy with it. I tried Sazerac Rye immediately following my tasting of the Michter’s for a basis of comparison and I’ll choose this 10/10 times. It’s every bit worth the MSRP and I wish I had a back-up to this bottle that’s nearly empty.
The Story: I’m apprehensive about single barrel reviews. In the case of Blanton’s, Wild Turkey Kentucky Spirit, etc. The Single barrel is the standard offering and not a store pick. I’m not apprehensive about drinking single barrels, but rather reviewing. My experience could be significantly different from another barrel and bottle. But that’s the risk of a single barrel purchase. One solace I have about Single Barrel offerings is that any distillery that takes pride in their product typically won’t release a barrel under the single barrel line that doesn’t meet higher standards.
The Distillery’s Story: Their site lays out what makes them special and it’s their pride in their process. If there’s a bare minimum, and average, and then a deliberate attempt to take as long as needed to get it right. Michter’s would be in the latter category. Hailing out of Louisville, KY. Michter’s spends extra time drying their wood 12-48 months (industry average would be closer to 3-6 months). They toast their barrels prior to charring (Most just char and move on). They barrel at 103 proof (most barrel at 125 proof). They heat cycle during aging (the more fluctuation in temperature during aging the more the liquid expands and contracts out of the barrel. This will speed up the aging process. To finish the process they complete the process with chill filtering.
All of what’s stated above doesn’t necessarily mean that Michter’s is better than any other distillery. What it does say is that they take great care in their process and they are willing to sacrifice efficacy, time, and money to produce their end product. They do have a great whiskey line and should be very proud of the end result.
Methodologies for Rating:
1. Dump it down the drain or regift it to someone you don’t care for.
2. This doesn’t even belong in a mixed drink. Use in case of an emergency.
3. It’s really not for me, but I heard some people like it.
4. Its only good when I’ve had too many and it’s decent in a mixer.
5. Solid. It hit all of what’s expected.
6. Above average. Good to bring to an event and you wouldn’t expect any guff from it.
7. Buy two if you see it to make sure you have one on reserve.
8. Very Very good. Constantly a GREAT POUR.
9. Superb. If I were to drink this and only this from now on I’d be a happy person.
10. Perfection is impossible. But this really comes as close as you can possibly get.
Reviewer: David S
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