Michter's 20 YO Single Barrel Bourbon (2014)
Michter's 20 YO Single Barrel Bourbon (2014), 57,1 %
Michter's 20 YO Single Barrel Bourbon
This is the jewel in the crown, as it were, for US distiller Michter's. This particular release of the Michter's 20 YO Single Barrel Bourbon was released in 2014, with a very limited run of 100 bottles. One more version has been released since this one, with an ABV of 57 %.
The Michter's whiskey we are tasting today is not distilled at Michter's Distillery, as that was opened for production in 2015, although the history stretches very far back. Until the time when they can bottle spirit they have distilled at their own distillery, they were “cooking in someone else’s kitchen":
The phrase describes Michter’s use of its own recipes and control of distillation (at an undisclosed distillery). Michter’s unique mashbills and yeast were used, and those whiskeys were barreled at 103 proof, well below the industry’s 125 proof maximum for bourbon (source).
This is how Michter's describe the 20 YO:
While we regularly sample all our Michter’s barrels to see how our whiskey is aging, we pay even extra special attention to our barrels once they are over 17 years old. At Michter’s we consider 17 to 20 years the “Fork In The Road Point” when certain barrels of whiskey can achieve an extraordinary level of quality. It is these particular barrels that our Master Distiller Pamela Heilmann personally selects for our very limited bottling of Michter’s 20 Year Limited Release Kentucky Straight Bourbon.
The Michter's 20 YO Single Barrel Bourbon (2014) is of course sold out now. If you managed to get your hands on a bottle you would have had to pay around GBP 440.
Nose: Fantastic, rich corn sweetness, balanced with vanilla, honey, molasses and marshmallows. There's a touch of oakiness and perfume way back in the distance.
Taste: Medium bodied and oily mouthfeel. Spiced honey! Savoury, almost overripe oranges. Vanilla and caramel ice cream.
Finish: Long finish. Slightly perfumed. Menthol and vanilla. Very minty, green and fresh in the end.
Comments: So wonderfully warm and comforting! This is one for those cold winter evenings in front of the fireplace.
Score (90/100)
Sláinte!
- Thomas
