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®. Most recently in 2023 and 2025, Michter’s became the first American distillery to be crowned the “World’s Most Admired Whiskey” twice in the prestigious annual list of top 50 producers published by Drinks International, beating many other premium global brands.
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.
Following on from their historic achievement of being the first American distillery to be named World’s Most Admired Whiskey in late 2023, Michter’s wasted no time in announcing their annual limited-release of their 10-year-old Single Barrel Rye and Single Barrel Bourbon whiskies. An annual highlight for all die-hard American bourbon and rye fans, Michter’s 10y.o. releases have long enjoyed a cult-like following for hiding some of the best bourbon and rye whiskies in elegant but simplistic packaging. Although officially age stated at 10 years old, it doesn’t take more than a single pass to realise that the whiskey inside clearly surpasses this minimum age by a large margin and various rumours place the bourbon as being anywhere between 15 – 18 years old and the rye at 13-20 years old each year. Of course, Michter’s have never officially confirmed these rumoured age ranges, but will instead confirm that the age statement on the bottle is the lowest age the barrel could be, never the maximum. With 2024 now well and truly behind us, I thought I’d take a look at last year’s releases in a single review because I have often found myself having to choose between buying either a 10 year bourbon or a 10 year rye.
The first of the set to be announced in March of 2024 was Michter’s 10 year bourbon. As always, this bourbon was a Kentucky Straight Bourbon bottled at no younger than 10 years old, from a single barrel (as stated on the neck label), and at 94.4 Proof (47.2% ABV). Commenting on this release, Michter’s Master Distiller Dan McKee was quoted as saying: “This is a wonderful single barrel whiskey. It’s brimming with all the characteristics that I look for in a special bourbon.” Andrea Wilson, who is Michter’s Master of Maturation, also remarked, “We know that Michter’s fans everywhere look forward to our 10 Year Bourbon. We are excited to share the 2024 release, which again is overaged to a beautiful maturity with an excellent nose, creamy texture and an array of characteristics on the palate, that ascend through to the finish, making every drop an enjoyable moment.”
In May of 2024, news of the 10 year rye soon followed, and, similar to the bourbon, featured a straight Kentucky Rye whiskey from a single barrel, bottled at a minimum of 10 years old and at 92.8 Proof (46.4% ABV). Commenting on this release, Wilson observed, “What strikes me about the 10 Year Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Rye is its elegance and complexity without being spice dominant. The spice is beautifully integrated with hints of floral notes, fruit, honey, citrus and chocolate that create a wonderfully balanced experience perfect for a summer evening.” McKee also added, “When I came to Michter’s, I developed a greater appreciation for Kentucky-style rye with its additional flavor nuances that come from having more corn and more malted barley in a majority rye mashbill.”
These whiskies came in at an MSRP of $185 for the 10 Year Bourbon, and $200 for the 10 Year Rye. This is the highest price we’ve seen for these from what I can remember but is typically reflective of the additional costs involved in producing single-barrel whiskies at scale and any additional ageing past the 10 year mark that these whiskies might have completed (thank taxes). Today we’re taking a look at these side by side because I have often had to choose between buying one or the other so having a review that compares them directly may benefit someone else who finds themself in a similar predicament – let’s taste!
Michter’s 10y.o. Bourbon
Barrel#: 24A0214 – 47.2% ABV/94.4 Proof – Single Barrel KY Straight Bourbon
Nose: A classically decadent Michter’s nose dominated by rich dark caramels, fragrant red and black stewed fruits, warm but subtle toasted oak, faint marshmallow rye spice, and earthy barrel spices mixed with sweeter notes of cinnamon. As you nose deeper, it pulls you closer with earthier barrel spice notes, darker caramels, deeper floral fruits, sweeter cinnamon, and herbaceous charred oak, all layered over each other.
Palate: The palate is vibrant and thick, with punchy flavours of rich dark caramels flowing seamlessly alongside tart red fruits, earthy and peppery rye spice, and more complex herbaceous charred oak notes that have some warm toasted influence on the edges but at heart are dark green, smoky, and utterly delicious. The peppery spice drives the rest of the flavours long after it fades, extenuating those minty but dark herbaceous charred oak notes even further.
Finish: The finish opens with lingering rye and toasted oak spice on the front of the palate, as notes of toasted nuts, dark caramels, herbaceous notes, and dried fruits all linger into a long and satisfying aftertaste.
First up is the 2024 release of Michter’s 10 y.o. Bourbon which is a standout example of the type of rich, mature whiskey Michter’s do best. From the first sip, it’s clear that this bourbon brings a depth and complexity beyond its age. It has a dark, brooding profile that unfolds slowly, revealing layers of deep caramel, earthy spices, and charred oak whilst simultaneously leaning into its richer elements, and a dessert-like decadence that lingers long after the glass is empty. This is not just another 10-year-old bourbon; it’s a testament to Michter’s expertise and a reminder of why their whiskies are so highly regarded. If you appreciate whiskies with endless layered complexity and depth, this release is definitely worth trying.
Michter’s 10y.o. Rye
Barrel#: 24B1086 – 46.4% ABV/92.8 Proof – Single Barrel KY Straight Rye
Nose: Opens rich with warm toasted oak, stewed red fruits, dark caramels, and that unmistakably sweet but grassy Michter’s rye note. As you nose deeper, the rye becomes floral, drier, and picks up some white pepper spice, chocolate barrel spices, warm toasted oak notes, rich fruit notes, and dark herbaceous depth.
Palate: The palate begins with rich dark caramel and sweet floral notes of red fruits, quickly followed by peppery herbaceous rye and hints of charred oak. A touch of heat builds on the mid-palate, enhancing the sweet fruit and cinnamon notes and introducing layers of dark chocolate and powdered sugar sweetness. As you continue chewing, more peppery rye grain and dark barrel notes emerge, complementing the concentrated sweet fruit flavours reminiscent of dried strawberries and cranberries.
Finish: The finish opens with warm rye spice lingering on the sides of the palate, accompanied by sweet dried fruit and warm toasted oak. A firm Kentucky hug follows on the way down, leading to a long and enjoyable aftertaste of herbaceous rye, dark chocolate oak, and sweet fruits.
Second up is the 2024 release of Michter’s 10y.o. Rye which is a beautifully crafted whiskey showcasing rye whiskey’s signature spiciness and the rich depth Michter’s are known for. Being a Michter’s rye, it features familiar notes of cinnamon, marshmallow, and dried red fruits, balanced with peppery spice, sweet toasted oak, and dark caramel. There’s also a hint of dark fruits and earthy depth, reminiscent of older rye whiskies. While the toasted oak isn’t as prominent as the nose suggests, it still offers a smooth and ever-evolving drinking experience. Michter’s are known for letting their whiskies do the talking for themselves, and this release reinforces why their rye is so well-regarded. I’ve been a fan of their rye since the first time I tasted it but this release is something so special that even hardened critics will find it hard to argue against the quality in this bottle.
Overall
These 2024 releases of Michter’s 10-year-old whiskies are prime examples of why Michter’s limited-release whiskies remain some of the most highly regarded and sought-after in their respective categories. Both whiskies showcase the distillery’s signature depth and complexity, producing flavors that surpass their age statements. The bourbon offers a rich, indulgent experience, while the rye delivers a beautifully balanced, spicy Kentucky rye character. These annual releases are not just excellent representations of their respective categories; they are masterpieces that speak to Michter’s consistency and dedication to quality. Although they couldn’t have known it when they released these whiskies, Michter’s became the first American distillery to earn the title of World’s Most Admired Whiskey for a second consecutive year in early 2025. This level of global recognition is a testament to the extraordinary talent of their team and the outstanding whiskies they continue to create. With every release, Michter’s continues to raise the bar, and it’s obvious that their passion for crafting delicious, distinctive, and innovative whiskies will keep them at the forefront of the industry for years to come.
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