I always look forward to getting a delivery of a bottle of Michter’s – or should I say Rosemary gets a bottle! She always gets a bottle before I do and then claims the second bottle for her collection of Michter’s bottles. She is their biggest fan. Matt and I considered this bottle for the “Whiskey of the Month” but it was not chosen because we have several great bottles to consider and we have made Michter’s the whiskey of the month several times before this and wanted to give someone else a chance at that honor. Even so. This is an excellent whiskey that deserves the honor, so I will say it is a close runner-up. Matt and I sat down to taste this whiskey and here are our tasting notes.

Michter’s Barrel Strength Rye 2024

Proof: 110.4

Age: No Age Statement

Nose:

  • Mike: Caramel, vanilla, citrus, possibly tangerine, baking spices and oak wood.
  • Matt: Vanilla, marshmallow, citrus, oak wood.

Taste: 

  • Mike: Caramel, orange zest and tangerines, vanilla, cardamom spice, allspice and oak wood, Tasted with a dried cranberry and blackberry and raspberry come out in the taste. Tasted with a pecan and the caramel is enhanced and cinnamon and ginger come out to join the spices.
  • Matt: Vanilla, orange zest, black cherries, cardamom spice and oak wood. The dried cranberry added a note of honey to the taste. The pecan enhanced the caramel and cardamom spice.

Finish:

  • Mike: Medium long with oak and allspice. The dried cranberry brought out the cardamom in the finish. The pecan made the finish very long with oak and cinnamon spice.
  • Matt: Medium long with oak, cardamom spice and a hint of citrus. The dried cranberry made the finish fruity with oak and black cherries. The pecan made the finish long with lots of oak wood, citrus and black cherries.

I would pair this fine Rye whiskey with a cigar that has a lot of vanilla and tobacco flavor to the smoke. I would reach for a Fuente Short Story cigar.

Photos Courtesy of Rosemary Miller