Michter's highly sought-after US*1 Single Barrel Rye Whiskey, which has gained immense popularity, has been bottled at its original barrel proof.
Back in the 18th century, a Swiss Mennonite farmer named John Shenk settled his family in Pennsylvania's Blue Mountain Valley. After years of hard work, Shenk found himself with more grains than he could sell, leading him to purchase a still and start distilling the excess grains into whiskey. This marked the beginnings of Michter's, the United States' inaugural distillery.
Prohibition in 1919 forced Michter's and many other distilleries to close their doors. However, in the early 1990s, Joseph J. Magliocco and Richard Newman joined forces to revive the brand. Their aim was to produce the finest whiskey possible, harking back to Michter's roots.
Michter's US*1 Single Barrel Straight Rye Whiskey is crafted from a mash primarily composed of plump rye grains. These grains are sheared to infuse more flavor during fermentation. After fermentation, they're distilled in copper-pot stills and aged in charred American oak barrels. The whiskey matures in a heat-cycled warehouse, leading to a mingling of whiskey and wood that imparts marmalade and light caramel notes to the rye.
Michter's President Joseph J. Magliocco mentioned, "Whenever we would sample right out of the US1 Rye barrels, we loved the whiskey. We thought that our loyal US1 Single Barrel Rye customers would enjoy tasting some at barrel strength."
Michter's Barrel Strength Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey is the new and limited overproof version of Michter's US*1 Single Barrel Straight Rye Whiskey, with proof varying slightly by barrel but generally falling between 108 and 110.8 proof.
The whiskey boasts a bold aroma of butterscotch, golden raisins, and vanilla, followed by a palate filled with morning toast, maple syrup, and fresh fruit. The finish is spicy, leaving traces of mint, cinnamon, and honey lingering on the palate.
