From its customized filtration course of to its distinctive strategy to barrel toasting and specialty toasted choices (which have impressed numerous imitators), Michter’s made its trendy identify with an revolutionary strategy to American whiskey. Whereas the distillery hasn’t actually tweaked its formulation in recent times, it continues to innovate with its Legacy Collection, albeit considerably below the radar. The 2 whiskeys that make up that line, Bomberger’s and Shenk’s, could not at first look seem very experimental, however a fast research of the Michter’s web site reveals periodic changes to the road through the years with 2024 marking perhaps probably the most distinctive spins but on these very restricted choices. Let’s verify them out.
Bomberger’s Declaration Kentucky Straight Bourbon (2024) – Using Chinquapin oak-aged bourbon has featured in each Bomberger’s launch since 2018, and right here too a number of the element whiskeys have aged in Chinquapin that has been air dried and seasoned for 36 months. As well as, a number of the bourbon used on this launch has been made with malted rye, one other first for the road. Regardless of that distinctive tweak to the recipe, this reveals lots of the hallmarks of earlier releases and stays a standout spotlight of the pair. The aroma is as soon as once more filled with slow-simmered fruit – peaches, apples, berries – all caramelized with brown sugar and prepared for the pie crust. Because it opens, issues dry a bit with saddle leather-based and heat, seasoned oak however the fruit nonetheless hangs round with a lacing a black cherry and plump raisin. The palate is well-spiced and warming with thick notes of maple syrup and darkish honey that transition to a midpalate of cherry pie and peach preserves. All of that alone would show oversweet and syrupy, however a wholesome layer of woody spice and outdated oak balances every little thing completely earlier than transitioning to a beneficiant, long-simmering, and layered end of cinnamon sugar, cherry cordial, chocolate mints, and baking cocoa. My favourite Bomberger’s launch but. Reviewed: Batch #24F2309. 108 proof. A / $120
Shenk’s Homestead Kentucky Bitter Mash Whiskey (2024) – As all the time, that is an unspecified bitter mash whiskey with a “substantial quantity of rye,” however for 2024, a few of that rye has aged in French oak that has been naturally air dried and seasoned for twenty-four months earlier than being toasted to Michter’s specs. There’s no point out of utilizing Chinquapin for ending, which was an indicator of some earlier releases. Specialty grains are additionally featured on this version comparable to malted rye (a reprise from 2023) and caramel malt, an obvious first. On the nostril, this can be a very completely different whiskey than my final Shenk’s encounter (in 2020), with extra recent oak, chewy caramel, and sticky vanilla bean notes. Because it opens, recent baking spice turns into considerable, and a touch of golden raisin arrives. The palate is kind of a departure, as nicely, with considerably extra preliminary spice. Notes of black pepper and clove flip to dry bay leaf and new oak on the midpalate earlier than a beneficiant, warming end of candied ginger, clover honey, and apple chutney heavy with recent cinnamon. The rye and French oak dominate this one, and whereas I barely choose the earlier releases, followers of Michter’s ryes ought to search this out. Reviewed: Batch #24E2232. 91.2 proof. B+ / $110
Bomberger’s Declaration Kentucky Straight Bourbon (2024)
$120
