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Michter's - Toasted Barrel Finish Limited Release Sour Mash Whiskey (750ml)
Price: $268.99
| Producer | Michter's |
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| Country | United States |
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| Region | Kentucky |
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| Style | American Whiskey |
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| Sku | 03744 |
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Michter's Description
Lively butterscotch, rose petals, and nutmeg form an interesting aroma. Light apricot and apple scents are layered on top, culminating in a complex array of scents. It works because each scent is equally presented with just the right intensity. Approachable yet at times mildly challenging, the aroma is far more than what you may expect it to be.
Light apricot and dried fruit with a hibiscus undercurrent is delivered delicately. Mild toasted oak notes are woven throughout, but provide little consequence. The palate lacks intensity leading to a far more delicate whiskey than expected. It’s this softness combined with mild flavors that make the palate so approachable. It’s a satisfying sip overall, but it lacks a strong presence that while fine for some, others may demand more.
A soft but noticeable increase of heat is found as the sip closes. Rye spice in conjunction with a more developed leather note adds some vigor to the whiskey. While it's minor, it keeps in line with how this whiskey presents itself. Inoffensive at its core, it tows the line of approachability as its baseline.
As toasted barrel finished whiskeys became arguably the most common finish of the past year, one trait that runs through many of them is balance. This often translated to approachability, mildness, and evenness - traits many producers would love for their whiskeys to have in order to satisfy the largest range of consumers. Toasted barrel finished whiskeys have proven their worth since their popularity exploded, but the unfortunate side effects can sometimes be boring or astringent if held in the barrel for too long.
Because the interior of the toasted barrel isn’t charred, the sugars haven’t had time to caramelize and the finished whiskey is often not as sweet as their charred barrel counterparts. Producers tend to finish in a toasted barrel in hopes of reaping the best of both worlds. That’s why if you age or finish in a toasted barrel for too long, the resulting whiskey could have a much sharper or even astringent flavor.
Michter’s Toasted Barrel Finish Whiskey finds the inoffensive middle ground. If you’re someone looking for a bold whiskey this isn’t it. If you’re someone looking for a smooth whiskey this will be right up your alley. This could be why the company keeps the whiskey to its standard Sour Mash Whiskey’s proof of 86, which makes it that much easier to drink for many and cuts down on any possible sharpness. The flip side is that it's also far from being unique. It doesn’t quite drink like a stereotypical whiskey or bourbon, but it's also not that far off from it either.
