Michter’s US Number 1 Small Batch Bourbon Review

A sample bottle of Michters US Number 1 Small Batch Bourbon
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Contents

I love Michter’s. They have to be one of my favorite brands of American whiskey. The Michter’s Toasted Barrel Rye is one of my all time favorite whiskeys and both the barrel proof and 10-year rye are excellent (only tried these in bars but hope to get a bottle of each soon to review). I also enjoyed the 10-year bourbon. Not tried the 20-year bourbon or rye but would love to (a bottle of those is a little out of my price range though!).

Quite strangely though I have only previously sampled the upper end of their range and have never tried any of their standard range. This is quite unusual and as usually it would be the other way around. This could cause a slight issue in terms of reviewing the standard offerings as you are comparing to the upper end of the range which can make an unfavorable comparison. I think that may have been a factor when I sat down to review the Michter’s US number 1 Small Batch.

This is made in small batches of a couple of dozen barrels or less and is part of the standard US * 1 Michter’s range which also includes the American Whiskey, Original Sour Mash and a single barrel Straight Rye.

Enough waffle though let’s get down to business:

About the Distillery

Michters claims to be America’s oldest whisky producer. Founded in 1753, the original distillery was started up by the Swiss Mennonite, Schenk brothers, Johann and Michael, in Pennsylvania, using rye from their own grain fields in Schafferstown. .

Throughout the Pennsylvania distillery’s existence, its name has changed several, For most of its existence is was called Bomberger’s, then Penno, and finally Michters. If you think that Michters is a strange name, you would be right. It came around mid 20th century when the owner at that time. Louis Forman named it after his sons, Michael, and Peter.

While still in Pennsylvania, Michters stopped trading on Valentine’s Day, 1989. Chatham Imports bought the Michters name in 1997and established a distillery in Shively, Kentucky, in 2014.

Whiskey Details

Distiller: Michter’s

ABV: 45.7%

Proof: 91.4

Age: NAS

Tasting Notes

Nose:

Caramelised sugar, corn, red grapes, raisins and almonds. Not very powerful but pleasant enough.

Taste:

Caramel and vanilla but kind of watery and weak. It’s all about syrupy and weak. There’s some oak and doughnuts filled with toffee. Tastes young though – needs more time in the barrel and more strength to appeal to me.

Finish:

Not much. Some toffee, pepper and rye with a slight oakiness. Very short and uninspiring.

Summary

As I said at the beginning I think having worked my way backwards from the likes of the Michter’s 10 bourbon and the Toasted Barrel rye meant it was tough to be objective with this one.

Having said that I’m just not keen on it, it’s too weak watery and doesn’t have much character. I could see it being a good bourbon for someone who doesn’t really drink bourbon but maybe enjoys the odd dram now and again.

I wouldn’t even class it as a good daily drinker as there are far better options out there in a similar (mostly cheaper) price bracket. Four Roses Single Barrel and Eagle Rare 10 spring to mind.

In summary, I’d pass on this and get something better for less money!

Rating
Nose
76
Taste
78
Finish
70
Character
70
Reader Rating6 Votes
86
74