Michter’s 20 Year Old Bourbon Returns For Late 2021

Shortly after being named “Most Admired American Whiskey” by UK-based Drinks International, Michter’s will start shipping 20 Year Kentucky Straight Bourbon to its distributor and importer network this November. “I really enjoy this release because the barrels that our Master Distiller Dan McKee and our Master of Maturation Andrea Wilson selected for it are so …

Shortly after being named “Most Admired American Whiskey” by UK-based Drinks International, Michter’s will start shipping 20 Year Kentucky Straight Bourbon to its distributor and importer network this November.

“I really enjoy this release because the barrels that our Master Distiller Dan McKee and our Master of Maturation Andrea Wilson selected for it are so layered and rich,” stated Michter’s President Joseph J. Magliocco. This 2021 edition will mark the first release of Michter’s 20 Year Kentucky Straight Bourbon since 2019. Wilson commented, “This whiskey really showcases how thoughtful care and attention throughout the aging life can lead to an absolutely beautiful expression. Sipping it mirrors the experience of savoring a fine, decadent dessert.” “We pay extra special attention to our barrels once they reach 15 years because we want the barrels we offer to achieve the perfect balance of flavor and oak-driven complexity,” said Michter’s Master Distiller Dan McKee.

On October 21st, 2021, Drinks International published its inaugural list of The World’s Most Admired Whiskies. In describing the Academy of voters assembled to rank the whiskies, Drinks International stated, “Our Academy consists of buyers, bar owners, writers, educators, and other specialists who carry no affiliation with any brand to ensure that the results burden no bias and retain integrity across the board.” Michter’s was voted the number one most admired American Whiskey and the number four most admired whiskey on the entire list.

Michter’s has a rich and long legacy of offering traditional American whiskeys of uncompromising quality. With each of its limited production offerings aged to peak maturity, Michter’s highly acclaimed portfolio includes bourbon, rye, and American whiskey. Currently the Louisville based distiller is allocating each and every one of its whiskey offerings as demand has been exceeding supply.

The proof of this 2021 release is 114.2 (57.1% ABV), and the suggested U.S. retail price for a 750ml bottle is $750.

Michter’s 10 Year Old Single Barrel Rye Review (2021)

By Randall H. Borkus Rating: A+ Michter’s 10 Year Old Single Barrel Rye is a regular, annual limited release. It is also a favorite at The Whiskey Reviewer; Richard Thomas and Kurt Maitland both swear by it. Although perhaps not as over-obsessed about as Thomas H. Handy or Sazerac 18 Year Old, it sounds like …

By Randall H. Borkus

Rating: A+

Michter’s 10 Year Old Single Barrel Rye 2021
(Credit: Randal H. Borkus)

Michter’s 10 Year Old Single Barrel Rye is a regular, annual limited release. It is also a favorite at The Whiskey Reviewer; Richard Thomas and Kurt Maitland both swear by it. Although perhaps not as over-obsessed about as Thomas H. Handy or Sazerac 18 Year Old, it sounds like the rye has been gaining in popularity:

“We wish we had more 10 Year Rye whiskey to share with Michter’s fans. Unfortunately, we continue to struggle to meet demand on all of our whiskeys as these expressions require time and attention to detail to reach the peak quality level for which Michter’s is known. Despite the limited stocks, we believe Michter’s drinkers will be thrilled with the results of this year’s efforts,” said Michter’s Master of Maturation Andrea Wilson.

My tasting comes from Barrel # 21F1611, at 92.8 proof as always.

The Whiskey
The Diva bottle showing up on my doorstep creates a Pavlovian response: “I can’t wait to open the bottle and investigate this year’s version of this premium rye whiskey.”  The color in my Glencairn glass is an especially dark copper brown.  The legs are unrelenting as they embrace the inside of my glass giving the impression of syrup running down the inside of my glass.  The nose is sweat, oaky, and inviting with hints of a Royal Crimson Cherry candy.

The mouthfeel is elegant and creamy with nominal heat on the front palate.  The mid-palate is a layered flavor bomb with honied-oak, and a toasted barrel wholesomeness encrusted in a candied fruit pie.  This flavor profile is incredibly complex moving slowly over my palate edging into a sweet oaky conclusion.   The finish is the real deal with a Michter’s traditional a honied-sweetness, rolled into a delightful oak dryness.  This year’s expression is much more oaky than previous expressions and it drinks much older than a 10-year-old rye whiskey.

This is a sumptuous rye whiskey and as past years it is just so damn good it leaves me wanting another deep pour.

The Price
The suggested retail price has gone up recently, so it is now $170.

Hirsch Releases New Single Barrel Bourbon

Hirsch Selected Whiskeys has announced the debut of its Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Release in honor of Bourbon Heritage Month this past September, marking the brand’s first-ever Single Barrel to hit the market. A limited batch of just 57 barrels, Hirsch is thrilled to release this latest expression, a testament to the brand’s …

Hirsch Selected Whiskeys has announced the debut of its Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Release in honor of Bourbon Heritage Month this past September, marking the brand’s first-ever Single Barrel to hit the market. A limited batch of just 57 barrels, Hirsch is thrilled to release this latest expression, a testament to the brand’s ongoing journey to source the best in American whiskey.

Aged for a minimum of six years in Bardstown, Kentucky in new American Oak Barrels, Hirsch The Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey is non-chilled filtered, combining a mashbill of 72% corn, 13% rye, and 15% malted barley. On the nose, it offers bold, dark cherry, roasted caramel, and cinnamon fragrances, and on the palate a marriage of herbs and soft peppery flavors take shape. The finish is long and dry with a sweet chocolate taste lingering afterward.

“The Hirsch rand aims to celebrate those who dare to take a new path and discover new passions, just as A.H. Hirsch did when he left his banking career to pursue whiskey and philanthropist. The Single Barrel release is reminiscent of the 400 barrels A.H Hirsch commissioned, yet even more limited and coveted than before with just 57 barrels,” says American whiskey lead at Hotaling & Co, Luis Rivas Ball.

A testament to pushing the craft of whiskey into a whole new caliber of excellence, Hirsch Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Release is a brand for modern explorer, trailblazer, and enthusiast; made for those who enjoy celebrating quality mo

Russell’s Reserve: Rickhouse K Returns

It’s been a few years since we last saw Tyrone’s rickhouse K available in Wild Turkey’s private barrel program. Needless to say, I was elated to learn we’d be seeing it again in 2021.  What makes K so special? For starters, I’ve long referred to K…

It’s been a few years since we last saw Tyrone’s rickhouse K available in Wild Turkey’s private barrel program. Needless to say, I was elated to learn we’d be seeing it again in 2021.  What makes K so special? For starters, I’ve long referred to K as a wildcard rickhouse, as the bourbon profiles it […]

The post Russell’s Reserve: Rickhouse K Returns appeared first on Rare Bird 101.

Wild Turkey Antique Collection

Buffalo Trace announces George T. Stagg will be excluded from 2021’s Antique Collection and everyone loses their minds, right? Wrong. The unexpected news means very little to me, and honestly, plenty of whiskey fans as well. Besides, most enthusiasts r…

Buffalo Trace announces George T. Stagg will be excluded from 2021’s Antique Collection and everyone loses their minds, right? Wrong. The unexpected news means very little to me, and honestly, plenty of whiskey fans as well. Besides, most enthusiasts rarely see George T. Stagg, and when we do, it’s often marked up beyond its sippable […]

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Wild Turkey Kentucky Spirit: 2020 Travel-Retail Exclusive

On the surface, there’s nothing particularly unique about this travel-retail Wild Turkey Kentucky Spirit, save for its box and bottle size.
The post Wild Turkey Kentucky Spirit: 2020 Travel-Retail Exclusive appeared first on Rare Bird 101.

On the surface, there’s nothing particularly unique about this travel-retail Wild Turkey Kentucky Spirit, save for its box and bottle size.

The post Wild Turkey Kentucky Spirit: 2020 Travel-Retail Exclusive appeared first on Rare Bird 101.

Russell’s Reserve: 2G Coverage

Whether you’re new to Wild Turkey or a longtime fan, if you’re into private barrel selections you’ve likely heard of rickhouse G. Often cited as Eddie Russell’s favorite rickhouse, G has a reputation for aging choice whiskey. From Russell’s Reserve Sin…

Whether you’re new to Wild Turkey or a longtime fan, if you’re into private barrel selections you’ve likely heard of rickhouse G. Often cited as Eddie Russell’s favorite rickhouse, G has a reputation for aging choice whiskey. From Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel Bourbon and Wild Turkey Kentucky Spirit, to J&J Spirits’ 2017 Whisky Jewbilee, there’s […]

The post Russell’s Reserve: 2G Coverage appeared first on Rare Bird 101.

A limited edition of one: Single-barrel selections

As the demand for limited-edition bourbon grows, many distilleries are now offering the most limited edition of all: a single barrel that is hand-picked by a liquor store, restaurant, or bar owner and bottled exclusively for that establishment. Along w…

As the demand for limited-edition bourbon grows, many distilleries are now offering the most limited edition of all: a single barrel that is hand-picked by a liquor store, restaurant, or bar owner and bottled exclusively for that establishment. Along with two other...
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