Back in January of this year, Michter’s sent ripples of excitement through the bourbon world with the announcement of their first edition of Bomberger’s Precision Fine Grain™ (PFG) bourbon. For many fans, this was a ‘dream come true’ moment and built on the existing excitement which had begun months earlier, when the label quietly appeared on the TTB’s public COLA registry and spread across social media like wildfire. At the time, exact details were scarce, and the mysterious “Precision Fine Grain” designation became the subject of endless discussion, with predictions, rumours, and hot takes flying fast. Now, the dust has settled, the press release has been dissected, and bottles have begun to filter onto shelves, so, with the first extension to the Bomberger’s Declaration family finally in hand, it’s time to see what drinkers can expect!
Before we start, it’s important to acknowledge that although Bomberger’s Declaration and Shenk’s Homestead are satellite brands and separate from the main Michter’s core and limited edition ranges, both are already synonymous with being whiskies that sit on the cutting edge of bourbon innovation. The now ‘standard’ release of Bomberger’s Declaration has previously seen Michter’s use a variety of innovative and unconventional production methods to create a unique vintaged whiskey. We’ve seen interesting grains, unconventional oak species, and intricate blends used to create releases which have always been interesting and delicious. Bomberger’s PFG, however, promises even more innovation, and so many are rightly wondering, “What have they pulled off this time?!
Firstly, what truly sets this release apart from previous Bomberger’s bottlings is its unique and intricate finishing process. Unlike its predecessors, Bomberger’s PFG™ has undergone a meticulous double maturation. The journey began with aged Kentucky Straight Bourbon, fully matured in new toasted and charred American oak barrels. Then the innovation begins as the whiskey entered a second maturation phase, where it was transferred to a new, custom-made, proprietary toasted and charred French fine grain oak barrel. Of course, being a Michter’s product ultimately, the innovation didn’t end there, and these weren’t just any French oak barrels either. The barrels used for this second maturation were carefully crafted from a blend of wood sourced from the esteemed Tronçais, Allier, Nevers, and Vosges forests in France. What’s more, the staves have undergone a minimum of 40 months (+3 yrs)of natural air-drying outdoors in France, specifically near the Charente River, which is an environment known for its unique seasoning influence through its humidity, microflora, climate, wind, and elevation.
When asked about this release, Michter’s Master Distiller Dan McKee is quoted as stating, “[PFG] continues our efforts to further experiment with Bomberger’s and push the boundaries of American whiskey.” He highlighted the “remarkable spectrum of rich, full flavours resulting from our team’s thoughtful exploration of wood science under very specific conditions.” Adding to this, Master of Maturation Andrea Wilson remarked on the resulting “medley of engaging aromas from confectionery to floral, a palate of beautifully integrated fruits and herbaceous notes with a full body and a luxurious, creamy texture that lingers with soft spice and chocolate.”
Bottled at a precise 100.2 proof (50.1% ABV), Bomberger’s PFG appears designed to offer drinkers a distinctive drinking experience unlike previous releases and comes in at the lowest proof we’ve seen from Bomberger’s yet. But does it deliver on this promise? Let’s find out!
Vital Stats:
Name: Bomberger’s PFG™ (Precision Fine Grain) Bourbon Batch L25A0084
Age: NAS
Proof: 100.2 Proof (50.1% ABV)
Type: Straight Bourbon Whiskey Finished in Precision Fine Grain Oak Barrels
Mashbill: Undisclosed
Producer: Michter’s Distillery, KY
Website: https://michters.com/bombergers-pfg/
Glassware: Glencairn
Review
Nose: The nose is complex, dark, and heavy, opening with deep caramels, oak notes of coffee, a touch of pine, and earthy baking spices before rich red and dark fruits develop. As you nose deeper the oak influence continues to develop, giving a tapestry of flavours including butterscotch, dried fruits, vanilla, and toasted coconut. Some red fruit rye also comes through before the nose returns to its dark & broody notes.
Palate: The palate opens with a syrupy texture, accompanied by faintly peppery tannins, sweet dark caramels, and black stone fruit, all of which wash across the palate, bringing with them chocolate notes, pine notes, a flash of lemon peel oil, and nutmeg. As the spice fades, the baking spices return to prominence, accompanied by dark caramels, charred barrel notes, chocolate and coffee flavours, and old herbaceous oak notes.
Finish: The finish opens with warm toasted oak flavours, lingering tannic spice, chocolate, citrus oils, dried fruits, grassy rye, and caramels. The aftertaste is long and starts with a warm Kentucky hug that leaves a glow of baking spices, chocolate, caramels, and warm toasted oak notes.
Overall
As previously stated, Bomberger’s PFG is far more than just another limited release. It represents a continuation of Michter’s unwavering commitment to pushing the boundaries of American whiskey and marks a natural evolution within the Bomberger’s brand. Since 2018, Bomberger’s Declaration releases have been largely defined by the use of Chinquapin oak, known for imparting fruity, spicy, and earthy notes. In contrast, Bomberger’s PFG takes a deliberate technical pivot, showcasing the benefits of Michter’s ongoing exploration into the finer details of whiskey production, particularly in the realm of wood science.
By double-maturing a fully aged bourbon in proprietary French fine-grain oak barrels, Michter’s has crafted a whiskey that feels both familiar and refreshingly unique. This maturation technique isn’t just a marketing ploy; it’s the driving force behind the whiskey’s character. The result is a bourbon with remarkable depth of colour and a flavour profile that balances rich caramel, fruit, and baking spice notes typical of Michter’s with refined floral, herbal, and dried-fruit accents.
What sets Bomberger’s PFG apart further is how these elements converge into a bold and complex profile. The base character is built around dark syrups, tart red fruits, and classic cinnamon warmth, underpinned by peppery rye and deeply herbaceous oak. The secondary maturation adds layers of baking spice, ground coffee, and toasted tannins, enriching the structure without overwhelming it. Notes of maraschino cherry, toasted coconut, and biting mid-palate spice emerge vividly, while the oak influence remains punchy and luxurious. The whiskey glows in the glass, just as its deep colour suggests. As it rolls across the tongue, an ocean of flavour develops, with a lively spiciness around the edges that keeps the experience dynamic and engaging.
Notably, this release is bottled at a lower proof than previous Bomberger’s Declaration expressions. Despite this, it drinks exceptionally well at its chosen strength, with the proof amplifying richness and clarity without compromising balance. This decision reflects Michter’s philosophy of bottling whiskey at the proof that best suits the liquid, rather than following expectations set by previous releases. It’s a subtle but important distinction that underscores the brand’s focus on quality over convention.
For the drinker, Bomberger’s PFG offers a chance to explore a distinct dimension of flavour within both the Bomberger’s line and the broader bourbon category. It’s a reminder that high age statements and high proof aren’t the only indicators of quality. Instead, it’s the mastery of craftsmanship and thoughtful innovation—especially in wood selection and maturation—that elevate a whiskey to new heights.
Bomberger’s PFG adds a compelling new layer to the brand’s legacy series, further solidifying Michter’s reputation for producing consistently high-quality, deeply flavourful, and technically innovative whiskeys. It’s a confident and welcome addition that underscores Michter’s willingness to take risks and challenge the status quo, all in service of the drinker and, ultimately, the whiskey itself.
Try or Buy?
With an MSRP of $140 this is one you should strongly consider picking up if you stumble across it anywhere near that price. If that’s out of your budget, at least seek out a dram because this is the type of whiskey that has to be experienced.
About Michter’s
With strong ties to a distilling legacy spanning over 250 years, the Michter’s Distillery in Louisville, KY, stands as one of the most respected names in American whiskey. Since its revival in the 1990s by Company President Joseph Magliocco, Michter’s has built a reputation for producing a diverse portfolio of high-quality whiskies that honour tradition whilst simultaneously embracing cutting-edge innovation.
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®. In addition to their Shively distillery, Michter’s also operates a historic distillation site in downtown Louisville, KY, a dedicated maturation and bottling facility, and a farm where they conduct grain and barrel research, with each site playing a role in their continued commitment to quality and innovation. Their commitment to excellence has earned Michter’s global acclaim and in a recent historic achievement, the distillery was named World’s Most Admired Whiskey by Drinks International for three consecutive years (2023, 2024, and 2025), becoming the first American distillery ever to win the title, the first distillery to win it three times, and the first to do so back-to-back. This recognition again confirms Michter’s rightful place among the elite producers of whiskey worldwide and rests on the shoulders of their existing accolades and achievements both in the US and internationally.
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.
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