Coming hot on the heels of a banner year for rye whiskey, Michter's has a tall task ahead at attempting to outdo their own perfection. That would be because the 2023 release of Michter's 10 year rye earned my top rating, a pinnacle whiskey well deserving of a boatload of praise. So, with the bar now raised up to the highest rung, what kind of stops will Michter's pull out this year to try to outdo themselves? The answers we seek can be found, believe it or not, right under our noses—once we get the cork out of the way! Let's dive in for a thorough examination of Michter's 10 year rye, barrel 24D1810, or feel free to watch the video below if you're into shorter form shenanigans.
Company on Label: Michter's Distillery
Whiskey Type: Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey
Mash Bill Percentages: Undisclosed rye mash bill (that tastes like ~51% to me)
Proof: 92.8°
Age: 10 years (though rumored to often be older)
Further identification: This is single barrel No 24D1810, with limited availability at a $200 MSRP
Nose: Wow, lovely soft aromas lead the way on this glass—think praline, butterscotch, caramel, and this distinctly vintage funk. Subsequent inhales produce creamy vanilla, biscotti speckled with a touch of white pepper, rose petals, and resinous cedar. Overall, this is a creamy dream to nose so far. It is also notably light at this proof, not seeming to offer much of an evolving bouquet of aromas as time waddles on with my nose nestled in my glencairn. It's a consistent love triangle of butterscotch, florals, and creamy vanilla—a quite welcome trifecta if you ask me. Time for a sip.
Coming back from a few sips reveals a very consistent whiskey that has developed some new, deep, old oak tones. It's well-aged oak, coming across level and rich in the nose. There's not a hint of a tannic note in this glass, which I love. The empty glass smells of marbled rye, Canadian bacon, and a grilled english muffin.
Palate: On first sip, I find a match made in Michter's heaven between the nose and palate. Creamy tones swing in strongest, Irish cream barely impressionable but incredibly distinct. I find alfredo tones and buttered dinner rolls on subsequent sips. There's an underlying lemon note, like a can of seltzer that is barely flavored. Stracotto pasta offers little backbone. Ah, later in the glass, the same vintage tones the nose was letting on finally swing in. Butterscotch, vanilla bean pound cake, and that same resinous, thick feeling is suddenly pervasive. A bit fickle in the viscosity, I am liking where this is headed with each sip building upon the last well. Late in the glass is where the latent creamy consistency finds its hold. Confections like praline, Kopiko, Werther's, and cocoa-coated truffles stick sweetly in the mind. My last sip is a fleeting departure, vaguely dissatisfying in its short duration, as a kiss of chocolate mousse, crêpes suzette, and melted butter tease me towards another glass.
TL;DR: Michter's took the path less traveled, producing a light modern whiskey with vintage vibes
Rating: 4/5
This is the type of whiskey that keeps you coming back for more, given its impeccable drinkability. This is an incredibly light whiskey on most days. I do think this is the type of whiskey that gets better with time and air, as my third individual tasting turned out to be my favorite, eliciting some wide eyes and chills that made my hair stand up on several enjoyable sips. It's definitely a fall from the incredible grace of the 2023 release, in my opinion, but it is not a long fall. It's like the old Kanye line, "Reach for the stars, so if you fall, you land on a cloud." This is still a great whiskey, one I'm certainly glad to have on my shelf. Having gone through this pour three times in accordance with the Amongst the Whiskey editorial policy, this does feel like a whiskey that wouldn't stand up too well to comparative tastings for what that's worth.
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