Michter’s believes in quality over age statements. They do not release a whiskey just because it has reached a certain age. This dates back to the days when Willie Pratt was their Master Distiller. He was nicknamed “Dr. No” because he would always say no when asked if a whiskey was ready – “just one more year” was his normal reply. This means that this “10 year old” rye is probably older than ten years old. It has a very different flavor profile than the 2022 release of the ten year old rye, but it too is very good whiskey. Matt and I picked this whiskey in a blind taste test for the “Whiskey of the Month” because we both especially loved the finish on this whiskey. Here are our tasting notes.
Michter’s 10 Year Old Rye Single Barrel
Proof: 92.8
Age: Ten Years Old
Nose:
- Mike: Rye grass, caramel, peaches and citrus fruit, cinnamon and nutmeg spice, oak wood.
- Matt: Rye grass, oak wood, brown sugar, peaches and cinnamon spice.
Taste:
- Mike: Rye grass, caramel, peaches and citrus, cinnamon and nutmeg, oak wood. Tasted with a dried cranberry and the caramel and oak are enhanced. Tasted with a pecan and dark chocolate comes out to join the caramel and cinnamon spice and oak wood.
- Matt: Rye grass, caramel, brown sugar, peaches and oak wood. The dried cranberry gave it a flavor of peach lemonade and honeysuckle. The pecan brought out notes of dark chocolate covered peach.
Finish:
- Mike: Long with oak, spice and lingering peaches. The dried cranberry made the finish shorter and sweeter with peach being the dominating flavor. The pecan made the finish long and dry with oak wood and lingering chocolate.
- Matt: Long with oak wood, rye grass and cinnamon spice. The dried cranberry added lingering peach fruit to the finish. The pecan made the finish very long with cocoa powder, oak wood and cinnamon.
I would pair this fine rye whiskey with a Padron 1964 Anniversary Series Maduro cigar. The rich vanilla and chocolate notes of the smoke would pair well with the caramel and spice of the rye whiskey.
Photos Courtesy of Rosemary Miller