It is no secret that Rosemary loves the Michter’s Barrel Proof Rye. She loves it mixed in a Manhattan or neat in a Glencairn glass. It has been a few years since they bottled any of the barrel strength rye and her supply was getting low. When Michter’s announced that they were releasing it again this year, she got excited. When it shows up on our doorstep she was beaming with joy. After opening the bottle and trying it, she was in paradise. I do think this bottle is the best I have had to date. It is well balanced and flavorful.
Michter’s Barrel Proof Rye
Proof: 109.8
Age: NAS
Nose: Vanilla and ripe apples with some rye grassiness, oak and fine leather. There is a hint of nutmeg and other baking spices lingering in the back.
Taste: Rich caramel and butterscotch with ripe apple and a hint of citrus. The oak and nutmeg spice are not up front but come in strong as the taste moves into the finish. A dried cranberry enhances the spice and adds a note of cinnamon to the mix. Tasted with a pecan and the citrus moves forward and the oak becomes a bit stronger and more up front.
Finish: Long. Starts sweet with the fruit notes but quickly dries out with oak, leather and spice. The cranberry made it spicier with a little white pepper spice. The pecan made a long finish even longer with lots of oak but not as much spice.
I have chosen an A. Fuente Anejo Reserva Xtra Viejo cigar to pair with this whiskey. It is one of my favorite cigars with rich tobacco and mocha flavor with only a little cedar spiciness. The rye gave the smoke a bit of a chocolate chip cookie note that surprised me! The smoke added a bit of a chocolate note to the rich caramel and added a little marshmallow/vanilla sweetness as well. It was a great pairing and I will do it again when I crave something sweet.
Photos Courtesy of Rosemary Miller
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