Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish Straight Rye (2023 Release)
Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish Straight Rye uses the company’s US*1 Rye as its base before undergoing an undisclosed amount of time in 20 month air-dried barrels made of “special wood” that were toasted but not charred. According to Master Distiller McKee, the average barrel proof for the toasted rye barrels bottled for this release is 108.9. Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish Straight Rye joins the company’s other toasted barrel offers, Michter’s US*1 Toasted Finish Bourbon, and Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish Sour Mash.
Nose
A straightforward introduction of caramel with black cherry and apple in tow. It’s a collection of scents that work, but aren’t overly exhilarating. A swirl of the glass reveals a soft side to the aroma that takes on traits of creamy vanilla custard, bread pudding, and confectioner’s sugar. The nose is capped off with a weighty oak note and a twinge of sweet rye spice that does a lot to bring the entire aroma together into a much more effective sensory experience. What begins as uninspired, ends quite effectively for a rye whiskey.
Palate
You’ll instantly take note of any rye that has a creamy consistency, and this one in particular seems even more noticeable. Its thick mouthfeel carries with it orange rind, cherry, and a slight bitterness, which add up to tasting very reminiscent of an old fashioned cocktail. With an underlying layer of baking spices and a peach-apricot fusion, the palate is extremely persuasive in making you fall for it. Though it’s not overly complex, its flavors stand out on equal footing, making for a very compelling sip.
Finish
The backend of the sip adds a welcomed hit of warm rye spice and heat. Along with this is a lingering toasted oak note that’s punctuated thanks to the inclusion of cinnamon, sandalwood, and cedar. Intensity and balance are well executed. The finish doesn’t repeat what came before it and acts as more of a continuation, ending this sip on a very satisfying note.
Uniqueness
Although finishing in toasted barrels has seen a recent upswing in popularity, Michter’s was one of the first to offer a consumer product in 2014. It really wasn’t until Heaven Hill introduced Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel Finish Bourbon in 2020 that things really started to gain traction with consumers and other producers. Soon everyone was offering a toasted barrel finished bourbon, and since then producers have been mixing and matching, like in the case of Blue Note Crossroads’ toasted and French oak finish.
What’s been a common thread with toasted finished whiskeys over the last 3 years is producers have mainly kept their toasted finishes confined to bourbon. But like usual, rye eventually catches up.
There’s been toasted ryes before – Michter’s included – but it really wasn’t until another major player, the MGP-owned Penelope, turned heads a few months ago with their Toasted Rye Finish. That release instantly showed how well toasted barrels work with rye, and even goes so far to make the case that perhaps rye does it better.
Michter’s Toasted Barrel Finish Rye in turn offers their own set of characteristics and pushes the bar even further. I enjoyed last year’s Michter’s Toasted Barrel Finish Sour Mash, but it was far from transformative. The toasted barrel finish that Michter’s Rye underwent is much more of an enhancement that resulted in an even better end product.
It cannot be understated how effective and impactful Toasted Barrel Finish Rye’s viscosity is. A creamy mouthfeel in a whiskey is one of the most impactful aspects you can come across. I find creamy ryes are especially dynamic because of the baking spices flavors many of them offer. As is the case with Michter’s Toasted Barrel Finish Rye, the addition of old fashioned related flavors in conjunction with its creaminess results in one of the better tasting old fashioned-flavored sips I’ve ever had. While the whiskey’s flavors aren’t out of left field, finding them in this specific application along with the additional toasted barrel oak notes generates an immediate positive reaction.
Value
With so many producers offering a toasted barrel finished bourbon at this point, prices are generally found in a wide range of $50-$100. Some of that is likely due
Classification: Straight Rye Finished in Toasted Barrels
Company: Michter’s Distillery
Distillery: Sourced from an undisclosed distillery(ies) in Kentucky
Release Date: September 2023
Proof: 107.8
Age: NAS (Aged at least 4 years per TTB regulations)
Mashbill: Undisclosed
Color: Dark Reddish Copper
MSRP: $120 / 750mL (2023)
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Written by Emma Jones
“Westland Distillery Unveils 7th Garryana American Single Malt”
Sh bourbons on the market is their use of charred barrels.
This is a detailed and informative review of Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish Straight Rye. The writer’s description of the nose, palate, finish, and uniqueness all make me eager to try this whiskey. The inclusion of comparisons to other toasted finish bourbons and the history behind Michter’s use of toasted barrels adds depth to the review. Overall, a great read for anyone considering trying this rye.
Shes has been that they mostly start with a mature, barrel-proof straight bourbon or rye instead of one that’s young and/or lower proof. Most aren’t going the “wheat whiskey” route just yet, which may have something to do with the regulations around what qualifies as a “wheat whiskey.” Whatever the reason, Michter’s launching a “toasted rye” right as all these others come to market is quite interesting since it approacheth toasted barrels from a different angle than most.
This review is very informative and provides a detailed description of the Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish Straight Rye (2023 Release). It highlights the unique finishing process and the flavors and aromas present in this particular release. The writer’s observations and comparisons to other toasted barrel finishes add an interesting perspective to the review. It’s clear that this whiskey stands out in the market and offers something different to consumers.
This review does a great job of describing the unique flavor profile of Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish Straight Rye. The writer provides detailed notes on the nose, palate, and finish, and highlights the use of toasted barrels as a unique aspect of the whiskey. Overall, a well-written and informative review.