Michter's 10 Year Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon (2020 Release)

This may quite well be the best bourbon I have ever had the pleasure of trying. The mouthfeel is incredible, as it coats the entire palate with a great sweet, oaky flavor. Here’s a fun little story on the second time I ever got to have this bourbon. My wife and I were headed out to this nicer restaurant for a date night, and as we walked in, I couldn’t help but gaze up at the well-stocked bar they had upon entering. A gentleman who was neither host, nor bartender, nor waiter, immediately saw my intrigue and began to take interest in me. He came up to my table as we were seated and talked to me about all of the great bourbons they had and what I was interested in. I noticed he did not go around to any table nor did he interact with any other customer. When our waiter came around, I decided to go with the Michter’s American Whiskey, a cheaper selection, as the prices for the nicer pours were well over the prices that I knew I could get at my favorite bar down the street. It’s quite easy for most folks who are not bourbon people, to get confused with all of the small verbiage of the different bourbon selections, such as small batch, single barrel, barrel proof, etc. When I requested that whiskey, my waiter immediately went up to the bar and told the bartender something. As I’m sure he was confused on which Michter’s I had wanted, as they had most bottles up there at the bar, him and the bartender were talking back and forth, as I could see them from my table. Soon after, the gentleman who had discussed bourbon with me earlier walked over to them and then pointed to the tippety top shelf where they had bottles such as George T Stagg, Old Fitz BiB, Weller CYPB, and my beloved Michter’s 10yr. Now that pour was again well over what I wanted to pay for it, and it was not what I ordered. As the bartender climbed up the ladder to grab that Michter’s 10yr, the gentleman who had pointed to that bottle in the first place came over to my table to apologize that things were taking a while and let me know they had to climb to the top shelf to retrieve my whiskey (which of course I saw it all play out anyways). Knowing they were about to pour the bourbon that I did not order, I felt a little frustrated that I was going to pay quite a bit when I was not expecting to, but also a little excited because I knew how much I loved the whiskey. And of course, not wanting to be “that guy”, I wasn’t going to tell him they were pouring the wrong bourbon and dramatically run up to the bar before they did. So the waiter came back and brought my drink, I took one sip and knew exactly that they brought the 10yr. Such a fantastic palate that coats the entire mouth. I forgot about how much I was going to have to pay and simply enjoyed what I was tasting. Now by the end of the meal, I had enjoyed my whiskey and food, and as the waiter came around, to bring the check, I asked him what bourbon I had been given again, and he kindly reminded me that I had ordered the Michter’s American Whiskey, priced at $11 for the pour. I said a quick little thank you, gave him a nice tip for the experience and left a very happy man. Cheers! (Disclaimer: I realize that the American Whiskey is not actually a bourbon so forgive my possible misuse throughout the story.)

I know this one isn't super pricey, and maybe it's because the bar tender hyped this up, but it was kinda disappointing. Lame nose. Weird palate. And nothing to get excited about with the finish