The 2021 release of Michter's 10 Bourbon is making the rounds. I have a bit of my 2020 release bottle still available, so let's see how they taste next to each other! I actually tasted these blinded, but was able to identify them easily given my extensive experience with the 2020 release and didn't feel the need to hide which was which here. See previous 2020 Michter's 10 Year Bourbon notes here.
2021 Michter's 10 Year Bourbon
Company on Label: Michter's
Whiskey Type: Bourbon
Mash Bill Percentages: 79% Corn, 8% Rye, 12% Malted Barley
Proof: 94.4°
Age: 10 Years
Further identification: Barrel No 21D1232
2020 Michter's 10 Year Bourbon
Company on Label: Michter's
Whiskey Type: Bourbon
Mash Bill Percentages: 79% Corn, 8% Rye, 12% Malted Barley
Proof: 94.4°
Age: 10 Years
Further identification: Barrel No 20F1287
2021 Review
Nose: Earthy, dark oak with cinnamon undertones. Light citrus floats like a cloud with no zesty bite. Slight tannic fruit with a touch of sweet funk. Caramel moves even more dark fruit in. Very nice complexity, even early on, pre-sip. Lovely marshmallow creaminess has rolled in. Fruit has parted for now to let the caramel dance on it's own, slowly turning over in the glass. Wow, a swirl really makes this pop with that marshmallow and baking spice.
Palate: Linen and herbal funk lead the way; strange metallic caramel happened early on, maybe an effect of the dreaded neck pour? Citrus and leather improve things drastically. Great proof rise with baking spices, some light anise, and plums. Longer finish than you would expect out of 94.4 proof; this is a lovely but still somehow light experience. Waves of citrus, hay and leather float over longer sips. Bigger flavor than before, I believe this is a 2021 I will be savoring #AmongstTheWhiskey.
2020 (Re) Review
Nose: Bright spice and light sweetness. Dry vanilla layered over a smooth oak. Powdered candy sweets like smarties. Some sweet tarts. Sweeter citrus like a lemon drop. Light caramel swings in some enjoyable baking spices and a hint of some herbals. Light linen and leather mix well, predominantly leaning towards the linen side. Something shiny like stainless steel. Chocolate herbs pop on a light swirl. Some mature rye spice showing late in the glass. Light pepper.
Palate: Candy sweets! Cinnamon red hots, cherry syrup, and the drying presence of those smarties. Hmmm; molasses and syrupy stewed herbs. Very interesting. Oaky for sure, but balanced with a sweetness that keeps it from becoming drying past the gums. Leaning heavily on the lemongrass freight train, this doesn't evolve as rapidly as the other glass. It takes it's time, weaving a sweet and slow story together that is certainly meant to be savored. The finish is long and slow, building up from molasses and pears into a rye spice crescendo that leaves you looking forward to the next sweet sip.
Final Ranking: 2021 > 2020; although the candy profile of 2020 has its merits, I enjoy the higher level of complexity I am getting out of 2021
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