Today, we’re diving into the world of Michter’s US*1. It’s one of the most expensive brands on the market, and we want to ensure you spend your hard-earned money on bottles that truly matter.
Our team left no bottle uncorked and no glass untasted in our quest to uncover the best Michter’s bourbon whiskey the world has to offer.
Ready to discover the liquid gems that made the cut? Keep reading – Michter’s US*1 bourbon has some delicious surprises in store.
Top 15 Michter’s US*1 Bourbons (Ranked & Tasted)
1. Michter’s US*1 Celebration Sour Mash Whiskey 2022
Average Price: Around $7,000
Alcohol Content: 56.4% ABV
Nose: Dark chocolate, brown butter, and just the right amount of rye and cognac
Palate: Clove, stewed peaches, black cherry, and candied pecans
Star Rating: ★★★★★
Why We Like It: Michter’s Celebration 2022 is a masterpiece. The collaboration between Michter’s Master Distiller, Dan McKee, and Master of Maturation, Andrea Wilson, has yielded something truly extraordinary.
“Like a fine bourbon, life only gets better with age, and the wisdom gained along the way is the true essence of our unique character.” -Liquor Laboratory
This whiskey is a sensory journey that leaves a lasting impression.
2. Michter’s US*1 Limited Release Barrel Strength
Average Price: Around $100
Alcohol Content: 55.3% ABV
Nose: Dark chocolate-covered cherries, dried fruit, and spicy tobacco leaf
Palate: Oaky tobacco, spice, sweet apricot stone, and corn
Star Rating: ★★★★★
Why We Like It: This whiskey is bottled straight from single honey barrels without dilution. Not cutting it with water allowed its natural flavors to shine.
This tastes like the whiskey everyone would want to add to their cocktail arsenal. [1]
3. Michter’s US*1 Limited Release Toasted Barrel Finish
Average Price: Around $400
Alcohol Content: 45.7% ABV
Nose: Orange oils, cinnamon, and dry cedar bark
Palate: Sweet, with roasted marshmallow and saffron
Star Rating: ★★★★★
Why We Like It: Its soft and sweet character serves as a foil to the earthy wood notes from the toasted barrels. We highly recommend this for people who prefer more sweetness in their drinks.
4. Limited Release 25 Years Old
Average Price: Around $16,915
Alcohol Content: 58.1% ABV
Nose: Candied and dried fruits, smoked almonds, and brown sugar
Palate: Smoked almonds, cedar, marzipan, and butter
Star Rating: ★★★★★
Why We Like It: This is a rare gem in the world of whiskey, having aged for a quarter of a century, and you can feel the patience and craftsmanship that goes into each sip. [2]
The best thing about it is that it has a savory edge that perfectly complements its buttery notes.
5. Limited Release Toasted Barrel Finish
Average Price: Around $286
Alcohol Content: 43% ABV
Nose: Firewood, dark chocolate oranges, salt, and honey
Palate: Cherries, clove, allspice, tobacco, and eggnog
Star Rating: ★★★★★
Why We Like It: This is a delightful “bourrye” (bourbon and rye) with unbelievable depth of taste.
And while it’s by no means a cheap bourbon, it’s priced reasonably for its quality, making it an accessible option for those looking to explore something new in the world of spirits.
6. Limited Release Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey 20 Years Old
Average Price: Around $7,026
Alcohol Content: 57.1% ABV
Nose: Cherry, rose petals, apple, and pear
Palate: Old oak, cinnamon, cherry, and sage
Star Rating: ★★★★★
Why We Like It: This is a classic masterpiece, and Master Distiller Dan McKee’s selection of at least 20-year-old barrels speaks to a commitment to excellence.
This whiskey is a clear testament to how slow and patient aging reflects the very essence of what makes this spirit exceptional.
7. Single Barrel Rye Whiskey 25 Years Old
Average Price: Around $45,540
Alcohol Content: 58.65% ABV
Nose: Espresso beans, orange oils, and white pepper
Palate: Clove, anise, black licorice, and cacao powder
Star Rating: ★★★★☆
Why We Like It: This rye is a gem in the world of spirits, where finding a barrel aged for over 20 years is a true rarity.
The creaminess of the rye whiskey becomes an explosion of spiced creamed puddings and cakes, and its finish is a harmonious encore. It’s definitely in our top 20 best bourbons of all time.
8. Single Barrel Straight Rye Whiskey 10 Years Old
Average Price: Around $260
Alcohol Content: 46.4% ABV
Nose: Toffee, marzipan, black pepper, cinnamon, and cedar bark
Palate: Zesty orange marmalade, vanilla pudding, and chili peppers
Star Rating: ★★★★☆
Why We Like It: The careful choice of corn-rich rye mash bill, complemented by a hint of barley, creates a delightful taste.
The selection of the absolute best barrels from their distillery sets this rich and complex spirit apart. We find that this shines exceptionally well in a Manhattan [3] cocktail.
9. Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey 10 Years Old
Average Price: Around $520
Alcohol Content: 47.2% ABV
Nose: Orange, salted caramel, red berries, and toffee
Palate: Marzipan, espresso cream, and peppercorns
Star Rating: ★★★★☆
Why We Like It: The bourbon barrels selected for this expression, aged for at least a decade and sometimes rumored to be closer to 15 years old, capture the essence of what makes whiskey such an iconic spirit.
The nose opens with a rich and decadent aroma, followed by a marzipan, cream, and peppercorn profile. The best way to enjoy this whiskey is with a bit of water. [4]
10. Small Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Average Price: Around $46
Alcohol Content: 45.7% ABV
Nose: Red berries, cream soda, and applewood
Palate: Vanilla frosting, peaches, and black pepper
Star Rating: ★★★★☆
Why We Like It: The sweetness of Michter’s Small Batch bourbon whiskey transforms into a symphony, from vanilla frosting to grilled peaches and roasted marshmallows.
We can thank their unique blending process of marrying hand-selected eight-year-old whiskeys from their distillery before bottling them. This is a quintessential spirit that serves as an excellent foundation for cocktails.
11. Shenk’s Homestead Sour Mash Kentucky Whiskey 2022 Edition
Average Price: Around $260
Alcohol Content: 45.6% ABV
Nose: Leather, burnt orange, spiced cake, vanilla beans, and new oak
Palate: Sweet and spicy, with zesty orange and allspice
Star Rating: ★★★★☆
Why We Like It: Shenk’s Homestead 2022 Edition is crafted with a fair amount of rye before it is bottled, which gives it a slightly spicier profile.
The French oak barrels also give this blend a distinct sweetness you won’t find anywhere else.
12. Bomberger’s Declaration 2022 Edition
Average Price: Around $326
Alcohol Content: 54% ABV
Nose: Sweet cinnamon, burnt orange, and dark chocolate
Palate: Winter spices, dry cedar, and orange-infused chocolates
Star Rating: ★★★★☆
Why We Like It: Bomberger’s Declaration 2022 Edition pays homage to Michter’s historical roots in the 19th century, when the brand bore a different name. Its taste is gorgeous and well-balanced, with a creamy crème brûlée texture and a hint of marzipan.
This special release has only 2,005 bottles sold to the public in 2022.
13. Small Batch Sour Mash (Original)
Average Price: Around $50
Alcohol Content: 43% ABV
Nose: Spice, vanilla, dark fruit, and pear cider
Palate: Vanilla, cherry, winter spices, and sweet herbs
Star Rating: ★★★★☆
Why We Like It: This small-batch bottled spirit holds a special place in the world of American whiskey, having been named “Whiskey of the Year” by The Whiskey Exchange in the U.K. in 2019.
What sets it apart is its classification as a “sour mash” rather than a traditional bourbon or rye because the mash bill is more evenly distributed among the grains, giving it an exceptionally well-balanced profile.
14. Small Batch Unblended American Whiskey
Average Price: Around $48
Alcohol Content: 41.7% ABV
Nose: Butterscotch, vanilla cake, and wooden spice
Palate: Spices, caramel, cinnamon, and vanilla
Star Rating: ★★★☆☆
Why We Like It: As the name suggests, this spirit is crafted solely from whiskey, without any neutral grain spirits added, before undergoing an aging process in barrels that are “whiskey-soaked” and finally bottled.
This infuses it with dried, salted fruits, bourbon vanilla, and a gentle spiciness.
15. Michter’s Limited Release Barrel Strength Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey
Average Price: Around $250
Alcohol Content: 54.6% ABV
Nose: Dark cherry, butterscotch, and star anise
Palate: Nutmeg, eggnog, and smoked cherries
Star Rating: ★★★☆☆
Why We Like It: This is a rare expression drawn from single barrels and bottled at its original strength.
“Barrel strength bourbon is… liquid artistry at its boldest.” – Fred Minnick
The whiskey offers a sophisticated interplay of nutmeg, eggnog, tobacco, and cedar and a distinct spiciness on its finish. This is perfect for those seeking a classic Kentucky bourbon whiskey with a robust kick.
Note: Average prices are based on Drizly and the official product websites. The star rating was determined based on a blind test, with 1 being the lowest and 5 being the highest. Each product was evaluated based on the uniqueness and complexity of the flavor profile, the rarity and age of the whiskey, and the overall reputation and recognition within the liquor community.
FAQs
Is Michter’s whiskey good?
Yes, Michter’s whiskey is good. They take great care in crafting their whiskey, and it consistently receives praise from whiskey enthusiasts and experts alike.
Is Michters worth the money?
Yes, Michter’s is definitely worth the money. Although they can be on the higher end in terms of price, they often deliver an exceptional drinking experience that justifies its cost.
Is Michter’s 10 hard to find?
Yes, Michter’s 10-year releases can be challenging to find because collectors and whiskey enthusiasts highly seek these expressions.
Where is Michter’s Bourbon produced?
Michter’s Bourbon is produced in Kentucky, USA. The company has its own distillery located in Shively, Kentucky.
What sets Michter’s Bourbon apart from other brands?
Michter’s is known for its commitment to quality and attention to detail. The brand emphasizes traditional techniques and rigorous quality control to ensure consistency and excellence in its products.
How long is Michter’s Bourbon aged?
The aging process varies depending on the expression. Michter’s offers bourbons aged for different durations, ranging from its standard US*1 Bourbon, which is typically aged for around 4 to 6 years, to its older expressions like the 10 Year Single Barrel Bourbon.
Can Michter’s Bourbon be enjoyed neat or in cocktails?
Michter’s Bourbon is versatile and can be enjoyed neat, on the rocks, or in cocktails, depending on personal preference. Its smoothness and balanced flavor profile make it suitable for sipping neat, while its robust flavor can also stand up well in cocktails.
Is Michter’s Bourbon limited edition or readily available?
Some expressions of Michter’s Bourbon, particularly limited edition releases or older age-stated bottlings, may have limited availability and be more difficult to find. However, the standard US*1 Bourbon and other core expressions are generally more readily available in liquor stores and online retailers.
All Things Considered
Among all the Michter’s bourbon options we’ve explored, Michter’s Celebration Sour Mash Whiskey 2022 is the bottle that shines the brightest.
This is a true work of art in the world of whiskey. It’s an impeccable blend of seven whiskeys, giving it a luxurious and decadent palate we’ve never had before. Its rich finish left us with a sense of pure satisfaction.
If you’re going to spend your money on any one of these expressions, we highly recommend going for this bottle, especially if you’re looking for something complex, rich, and unforgettable.
References:
- https://www.foodandwine.com/cocktails-spirits/bourbon-cocktails
- https://www.nationalgeographic.com/culture/article/whiskey-distilling-production-entrepreneurs-market-science
- https://www.foodandwine.com/recipes/manhattan-cocktails-2009
- https://www.foodandwine.com/cocktails-spirits/whisky/why-should-you-add-water-to-whiskey
