Brian’s Michter’s Toasted Barrel Bourbon Review:
reviewed 02-September-2023
MICHTER’S TOASTED BARREL BOURBON REVIEW:
Michter’s Toasted Barrel Bourbon (Michter’s TB) offers an inviting taste experience. On the nose, it reveals dry barrel tannins, herbal roasted corn, and dusty grains, along with dark berries and a medley of cinnamon, cloves, and ginger. The palate follows with a similarly dry warmth, well-balanced dried fruit, and a pleasing blend of spices, enhanced by hints of burnt caramel and toasted almond toffee. The finish is medium-long and dry, with those same tannins, complex spiciness, and smokiness, while the mouthfeel is viscous and oily. Michter’s Toasted Barrel Bourbon leaves a lasting impression, making it a delightful choice for bourbon enthusiasts.
MICHTER’S TOASTED BARREL BOURBON VITAL STATS:
Category: Small Batch, Limited
Region: Kentucky
Distillery: Kentuck Bourbon Distillers
Mash Bill: 79% corn, 11% rye, 10% malted barley
Barrel Char: #3 plus Secondary Toasted Barrels
First Barrel: Fire-charred, new American white oak barrels Second Barrel: Toasted barrel made from 18-month air-dried wood
Barrel entry proof: 103
Age: nas
ABV: 47.5% (91.4 Proof)
Batch #: 21G2064
NABCA CSC #: 26618
Fair Price: $175.66 (BoozApp, August 2023)
Paid: $69.95 (Illinois, Summer, 2022)
US☆1 TOASTED BARREL FINISH BOURBON
First introduced to great acclaim in the Fall of 2014, Michter’s US1 Toasted Barrel Finish Bourbon is a groundbreaking whiskey expression. It is made by taking Michter’s US1 Kentucky Straight Bourbon and then aging it for an additional period in a second custom made barrel. This second barrel is assembled from 18-month air-dried wood and then toasted but not charred. The truly unique and delicious taste of Michter’s US1 Toasted Barrel Finish Bourbon represents a remarkable achievement given that it is Kentucky Straight Bourbon with nothing extra added or done except placement in a second toasted barrel.
Learn more at Michter’s Bourbon.
ENJOYMENT METHOD FOR THE REVIEW:
Alternating pours to equate about four ounces, were made into two Glencairns. I shared one of the glasses with my daughter, and I let the liquid in my glass rest for about 30 minutes before taking the first sip. These pours were made on Day 2 of the 2023 30 Bourbons in 30 Days Challenge.
MICHTER’S TOASTED BARREL BOURBON NOSE:
The first draw of Michter’s TB surprised me. I was unable to find any indication of alcohol which (in my opinion) allows other elements to shine. I sense the dry barrel tannins of aged oak, along with herbal roasted corn and dusty grains. Continued nosing exposes a dark nectar of blueberry, cherries, currants, raisins, and prunes. As I navigate around our Whiskey Traits and Flavor Wheel, it prompts me to sense cinnamon, cloves, ginger, nutmeg, white pepper, and subtle notes of gingerbread. Additional sweetness comes in as light vanilla, maple sugar and syrup, brown sugar, and toasted almond toffee as dry oak sawdust provides a woody backdrop. With prolonged nosing, charred wood builds to a nice campfire smokiness before this too, fades into a memory of musty wet leather, which adds an intriguing dimension.
MICHTER’S TOASTED BARREL BOURBON PALATE:
Michter’s TB offers a delightful and inviting flavor profile. Upon taking my first sip, the dry warmth of mild alcohol greets me. As on the nose, barrel tannins contribute subtle structure while complementing dusty grain and herbal notes. With sip, the flavors continue to unfold as a medley of dried fruits, including tart Montmorency cherries, currants, and figs provide dark undertones. I also taste a hint of fresh lemon zest which adds brightness, before the spice blend of cinnamon, ginger, and pepper, enhanced by the rye, treats the palate. In the following sips the nearly burnt caramel of dark roasted walnut toffee add balance to heavily seasoned oak as hazy, toasted wood, and its smoky essence, lingers on my tongue. As the flavors fade, the taste of leather peeks in, before it too drifts away in this satisfying bourbon.
Balance, Body, Feel and Look:
Michter’s TB is well-balanced as its aroma and flavor elements complement one another to leave a lasting impression on the palate. Its mouthfeel is viscous and oily, and when sips are held, only an ever-so-slight tickle dances on the tongue. As the glass is swirled, a thick inverted crown with many droplets forms, before thin, fast falling, medium-long legs drain the liquid back to the mahogany colored pool.
MICHTER’S TOASTED BARREL BOURBON FINISH
The finish of Michter’s Toasted Barrel Bourbon is medium-long and offers a dry and warming sensation in the throat while tannins from the aging process add a subtle herbal quality to the palate after each swallow. After each new sip, flavors of berry nectar, dark fruits, and figs blend together, accompanied by hints of cloves, ginger, and rye spice, creating a complex spiciness that settles on my palate. Furthermore, the finish evolves with bittersweet chocolate, woody caramel, and dark toffee to provide a satisfyingly sweet contrast. Moreover, a touch of bitter walnut adds depth to the heavy oak which combines char, smokiness, and damp potting soil to leave a lasting impression in the mouth and throat. And finally, when the last dram is downed, the empty Glencairn smells of sweet, sugared cinnamon, dusted over old barrel staves. What a nice bourbon.
MY RATING: 90/100
Will I buy this whiskey again? YES
Michter’s puts out GREAT product and I’m always on the lookout for hard-to-find limited releases.
Click to read Brian’s scoring process.
Click 90/100 to access other whiskies with this score.
To access other reviews from this brand, click Michter’s.
WHISKEY TRAITS, FLAVOR NOTES AND PROFILE GRAPH:
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