Michter's 10 Year Bourbon | Single Barrel Whiskey Review
Distillery: Bottled at Michter's Distillery (sourced from another/undisclosed distillery in Kentucky)
Proof: 94.4
Mash bill: Undisclosed, but has to be at least 51% corn, with rye and barley
Age: 10 years (although it drinks like it has some older bourbon in it)
MSRP: $160-$180
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Fool Proof Rating and Summary of Tasting Notes
Color | Nose | Palate | Finish | Feel |
Deep Mahogany | Rich old oak, caramel, vanilla, Toffee and baking spices | Oak, Rye spice, muted caramel and vanilla, dark chocolate | Medium to long finish with a predominately oaky finish. | Moderate mouth coating, moderate viscosity |
Use my exclusive Caskers.com discount code: WHISKEYFOOL10 to receive $10 off qualifying* orders. Copy and paste to use at checkout.
*$100 or more
For all my tastings I use either the Libbey Signature Kentucky Bourbon Trail Whiskey Glass or a traditional Glencairn glass. They both are great for nosing and help in discerning more subtle notes.
John Shenk, a Swiss Mennonite farmer, and his family settled near Pennsylvania's Blue Mountain Valley in the late 18th century. In no time at all, he was producing more grains than could be sold - so naturally distilling it into whiskey became an ideal solution. This resulted in what eventually came to be known as Michter's Distillery: history's first US-based distiller. General George Washington even purchased their product during the American Revolutionary War; reportedly helping fortify his men throughout that brutal winter camped out at Valley Forge with "the Whiskey that Warmed The Revolution".
In 1919, the passage of Prohibition resulted in nearly every distillery across America closing its doors – Michter’s Distillery included. Fast forward to the early 1990s and Joseph J. Magliocco is teaming up with Richard Newman on an ambitious mission: To revive this renowned whiskey brand by producing high-quality spirits that would be respected among spirit connoisseurs from all over the world - at any cost necessary!
Michter's 10 Year Old Single Barrel Bourbon is the result of decades of knowledge and precision by master distiller Willie Pratt, affectionately known as "Dr. No" for his propensity to turn down aging barrels that don't meet his exacting standards. Michter's 10 year is a single barrel bourbon that is sourced from an undisclosed distillery in Kentucky. Since it is a single barrel product each batch is unique.
Nose
This bottle of Michter's 10 Year has an inviting and complex nose. The initial scent of heavy old oak provides a strong foundation and is quickly followed by sweeter notes like caramel, vanilla, and toffee. Ultimately, it's finished off with complimentary baking spices, creating an overall balance and complexity that makes it very enjoyable. Based on a previous tasting I was expecting some maple syrup to come through on the nose but I didn't get any this time.
Palate
The first thing that was noted was the warm rye spice and rich oak. The rich oakiness makes me wonder if this particular barrel could be a little older than 10 years old. The palate transitions into milder flavors such as caramel and vanilla. These further amplify the full-bodied flavor of this bourbon. The flavors are bold and strong. Everything I like in a bourbon. This is my second bottle, the first time I tried this, was several years ago and I remember some maple syrup notes that I'm not picking up here.
Finish
This bourbon has a medium to long finish. Its oak-driven taste lingers on the tongue, finished off with subtle notes of pipe tobacco and vanilla. Although the oak is predominant it not overpowering making for an enjoyable finish. It feels moderately viscous which provides a nice mouth coating.
Overall
Michter's 10 year is an excellent example of how good a 10-year-old bourbon can be. The flavors are bold and well-balanced, providing a full-body taste that lingers on the tongue. The finish is moderately long and pleasant, making it an enjoyable experience. The main problem is the price ($160-$180 MSRP) and availability, but if you can get a bottle I feel like it is worth the investment. It is a unique bottle to have and is fun to share with friends. This is the second bottle I have had and both have been very good. However, that is a lot of money and ultimately it is up to you to decide if it is worth it.
Use my exclusive Caskers.com discount code: WHISKEYFOOL10 to receive $10 off qualifying* orders. Copy and paste to use at checkout.
*$100 or more
I would love to hear from you! Drop me a comment below and let me know what you think of this whiskey.
Below are my favorite glasses for doing tastings. The Libbey Signature Kentucky Bourbon Trail Whiskey Glass is my favorite because it has a little more heft to it and feels better in my hand than the traditional Glencairn glass does.