With strong ties to a distilling legacy spanning over 250 years, the Michter’s Distillery in Louisville, KY, has been producing a comprehensive range of award-winning American whiskies since the brand was resurrected by Company President Joseph Magliocco in the 1990’s. Now distilling in their own facilities since August of 2015, the Michter’s brand has seen a quick return to global recognition for the quality of both their own and their sourced whiskies under Master Distiller Dan McKee, Master Distiller Emeritus Pam Heilmann – the first woman to serve as a Master Distiller at a Kentucky Distiller’s Association distillery since prohibition, and Master of Maturation Andrea Wilson – the first woman to ever serve as Chair of the Kentucky Distillers Association and inductee to the Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame®.
The Michter’s core range of whiskies, which are bottled under their popular US☆1 line, consists of their small batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon, their single-barrel Kentucky Straight Rye, their small batch Unblended American Whiskey, their small batch Original Sour Mash American Whiskey, and several limited edition variations of these. Their age–stated whiskies, which are bottled under their 10-year-old, 20-year-old, and 25-year-old labels consist of straight Kentucky bourbon and rye whiskey which come from sourced stocks and are released on a ‘when-ready’ basis to eager fans.
In April of this year, Michter’s Distillery delighted fans with news that their highly anticipated 10-year-old Rye would return again for the first time since July 2022. Coinciding with a detailed announcement outlining the additional steps they are taking towards responsibly increasing their capacity to meet growing global demand, Michter’s also both acknowledged the frustration for their fans face as they struggle to find their limited releases on shelves, whilst reiterating their commitment to continuing to produce the highest quality American whiskies. Although there isn’t much information on this release outside of the date the distillery will start releasing the whiskey and the recommended retail price, Master of Maturation Andrea Wilson is quoted describing it as follows: “The 10 Year Rye release is elegant…I am hopeful that it will bring a smile to everyone who experiences it as we work to bring even more wonderful Michter’s to market.”
Today I’ll be taking a look at the 2023 release of this whiskey which is the fourth from the combined efforts of Master Distiller Dan McKee and Master of Maturation Andrea Wilson.
Vital Stats:
Name: Michter’s 10 yo.o Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Rye (Barrel #23C0790)
Age: 10 years old
Proof: 94.4 proof (46.4% ABV)
Type: Kentucky Straight Rye whiskey
Mashbill: Undisclosed (At least 51% rye)
Producer: Michter’s Distillery, Louisville, KY (Sourced from an undisclosed distillery)
Website: https://michters.com/10-year-kentucky-straight-rye/
Glassware: Glencairn
Review
Nose: The nose opens subtle and rich, with waves of deep caramels and soft vanillas giving way to warm toasted oak, floral and sweet red fruits, earthy baking spices and grassy peppery rye. As you nose deeper the flavours continue to develop and mix with the toasted oak notes, earthy baking spices, dense fruits, and herbaceous rye all coming together in a well-rounded profile with no sharp edges.
Palate: The palate opens viscous and luxurious with rich caramels, subtle coffee, and sweet condensed red fruit notes blending with an undertone of warm toasted oak tannins and peppery rye. As you continue to chew, the initial peppery spice wanes, giving way to lingering sweet fruit notes alongside toasted tannic oak spice, a hint of marshmallow, a dash of white pepper rye spice, and an overall refreshing minty herbaceous edge that gracefully ties all the elements together. As the spice mellows further, the red fruit and deep minty rye notes resurface, complemented by warm baking spices, and subtle milk chocolate to reveal that distinct Michter’s rye character.
Finish: The finish opens with a comforting warmth, lingering peppery spice, and subtle hints of dried fruit and toasted oak tannins gradually transitioning towards darker notes of coffee, toffee, and chocolate. The aftertaste is long with an enduring Kentucky Hug as earthy baking spices, a touch of tart fruitiness, a gentle grassy note, and subtle chocolate swaddle your palate and leave you reaching for more.
Overall
Simply put, this whiskey offers a feast for the senses. Each sip unveils complex and nuanced flavours, embodying the finest qualities of a Kentucky-style rye whiskey. Despite its low proof, it remains a commanding force concealed within velvety smoothness, igniting your palate with punchy and herbaceous rye notes which cascade down the sides of your tongue. This lively rye character intertwines with the remaining grain and oak-driven flavours of thick caramels, warm toasted oak tannins, milk chocolate, and soft stewed fruits. Remarkably, this release captures my expectation for what a 10-year-old Toasted Barrel Finished release would deliver, as it captures all the desired flavours in one offering with the warm toasted oak notes forming the foundation that underpins and elevates the other flavours.
When comparing the 2023 release to the 2022, the 2023 release boasts increased viscosity, milk chocolate notes, and deeper herbaceous undertones. In contrast, the 2022 release is more subdued, with fruit notes reminiscent of bubble gum, and more toasted oak flavours. The 2023 release appears to take the spirit of the 2022 release and makes subtle adjustments to produce a more well-balanced result whilst remaining vibrant and deeply flavourful.
Considered within the context of this year’s 10y.o. Bourbon release, I’m happy to report that the Rye confidently holds its ground, delivering a lavish and indulgent flavour profile worthy of its bourbon counterpart. Similar to the bourbon, I would again speculate that the age statement for this release may not accurately reflect the whiskey’s true age. Nevertheless, whether it is precisely 10 years old or not becomes unimportant in the face of the whiskey’s exceptional quality, which speaks for itself. Without a doubt, this 10y.o. Rye release delivers a premium whiskey-drinking experience which I believe would be unanimously appreciated by anyone who savours it.
Now on the fourth release skilfully crafted under the watchful guidance of Dan McKee and Andrea Wilson, the Michter’s team continues to surpass expectations, consistently pushing the boundaries and adding further dimensions to the beloved classic flavour profile of the 10-year-old Rye. This whiskey is a true masterpiece and a further testament to the artistry and dedication of its creators.
Try or Buy?
This year’s release has a suggested U.S. retail price of $200 and at this price it has to be a try before you buy from me as it passes the $100 limit. However, in the context of the current whiskey climate, this price for such a decadent and well-aged rye whiskey which is truly luxurious in every respect- is a lot easier to justify than what you would pay for a rye whiskey of a similar age from other distilleries. Fantastic.
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