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

Butterscotch and honey on the nose with a subtle baking spice aroma in the background. The more I nose it, I pinpoint the aroma - reminds me of wassail (with orange peel). Now let’s drink... lots of toffee. And caramel. Little spice in the finish that fades quickly. Rounds out with lots of vanilla and oak. One of the sweeter ryes I’ve had. Guessing the rye in this mash bill is pretty close to that 51%. This is a lovely rye.

Taste: 2oz. neat in glen cairn. Barrel 20E906 Nose: Immediately hit with wintergreen, chocolate, and tart berries (cranberries?). The nose reminds me of Christmas time. There is a marzipan note in the background. This is very nice. Taste: Rich, buttery rye greets me on entry. Chocolate, spearmint candy leaves, and toffee are front and center. The spicy rye seeds linger on the palate into the finish. A hint of cranberry is again detectable. The tartness is well received, and is tempered by the chocolate note. Finish: This is a finish for days. Chocolate and the marzipan I got on the nose is balanced by spicier wintergreen and anise, but the anise does not make it bitter like black licorice. Overall: This is an absolute hit for me, and Michter's has done it again! To me, Michter's does much better with their rye than their bourbon. That said I feel their bourbon is stupendous which makes their Rye extra special. Often I balk at the price, but I am always a buyer. I am from the camp that bourbon and rye that go in at a lower entry proof than the industry standard 125 (in Michter's case 103!) results in a richer, fuller, more condensed and flavorful whiskey because less water is used as a cut. You pay for that though because the yield is so much less. Don't be put off by price here- in this case you are getting what you pay for. This one is special.

Nose: popcorn and graham crackers. Kind of similar nose to Thomas h handy honestly. Creamy too. Palate: very creamy and earthy. Not too strong and not much bite being a rye. Super smooth. Very oily on the second sip and more flavors come out. That popcorn showed on the second sip. Finish: really really amazing finish. Lingering spice that literally lasts as long as a GTS finish. Really shocked at how good this rye is. Paid $160 and I could probably do it again. Definitely on par with Thomas H Handy too btw.