Michter's US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish Rye (2017 Release)

Carmel, toasted oak

Truly outstanding.

Rating: 17/23 N: Much fuller and oakier than than the regular Michter's rye.It has some nice toasty oakiness that gets a bit into some peanut shells with a dash of peanut. A little bit herbal, but not super herbal for a rye. It's crispy herbal with a bit of green apple and lemon. P: Green apple, big toasty marshmallow, a bit of peanut shell, maybe a little light brown sugar. That peanut shell turns into oakiness with a bit of a vanilla backing. There's some bitter herbal flavor that's less crisp than the nose suggested, but it's balanced by the green apple and waft of lemon. A little dill, but not too much. It tastes a bit fresh and young with sort of a toasty blanket on it, but it's not overly young. Spiciness - cinnamon, some clove, anise. This is nice and full with the higher ABV than the regular Michter's rye really helping there, but not adding too strong of an alcohol flavor. It's not as toasty, decadent, and complex as Resilient 15 though. The added toasty blanket makes this taste a bit more complex and less youthful than the regular Michter's rye does. This may be a bit youthful, but the regular Michter's is downright young in comparison. At times, this strikes me as a bit tropical, kind of like Willett Straight Rye 4, but more toasty and rounded with less alcohol. F: Lighter, but still sweet, versions of the toasted marshmallow and green apple. A little vanilla oakiness. Anise, clove, and cinnamon dance around. Some oak with vanilla. - Conclusion - This is quite nice. It's not amazing, but it's tasty and a definite improvement on the regular Michter's rye (15), but it does taste finished in toasted oak moreso than it tastes mature. This earns a nod over Pikesville Rye (16). This is more complex with a better rye character and more distinction, while maintaining the richness. I's also take this over Whistlepig PiggyBack (16). Russell's Reserve Single Barrel Rye (17) is closer to this, but I think that this is still better. This definitely doesn't taste as good as Resilient 15 (18), but it is at least competitive with George Dickel Bottled In Bond (initial release) (16). I might give the nod to this. I'm torn between a 17 and an 18 here, though it could be a 16. The regular rye was on the low end of a 15. I gradually warmed up to the possibility of an 18 while tasting this, but I'm going with a 17 here. Thank you, @pkingmartin , for the sample of this!