Michter’s US*1 Single Barrel Straight Rye Review

Michter's Straight Rye Whiskey glass and sample bottle

Contents

I’ve already reviewed the Michter’s US*1 Bourbon, the Michter’s 10 and the excellent Toasted Barrel Rye and now it is time for the standard Michters Rye.

I’m a big fan of Michter’s and a big fan of rye so I was looking forward to trying this one for the first time and if the Toasted is anything to go by they know how to make a great rye whiskey, I’d eat my hat if it can hold a candle to that but it is around half the price so I wouldn’t expect it to be quite in that league!

So without any further ado lets crack on with my review of the Michter’s Straight Rye:

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

On their website:

“Renowned for rye – America’s oldest whiskey variety – since the earliest days of our history, we take the production of Michter’s US1 Kentucky Straight Rye extremely seriously. Our Michter’s US1 Kentucky Straight Rye is made from select American rye grain that is sheared to maximize the extraction of flavor from the grain. Ideal neat or in cocktails, every bottle comes from a single barrel – a unique attribute reflecting our extraordinary commitment to offering Kentucky Straight Rye whiskey of the absolute highest quality at every level of the Michter’s range.”

Distiller: Michter’s

ABV: 42.4%

Proof: 84.8

Age: NAS

Website: https://michters.com/whiskey/us1-kentucky-straight-rye/

Tasting Notes

Nose:

Brown sugar, baking spices, cinnamon, raisin cake. It is quite light on rye spice on the nose. Light caramel and vanilla tones.

Taste:

Lot’s of rye spice on the palate, it really is quite lively considering the relatively low proof. Some light caramel and milk chocolate with fudge, crème brulee, dates and vanilla. Nicely balanced.

Finish:

Vanilla fudge and spice. Quite short but leaves a lasting rye taste.

Summary

Another great whiskey from Michter’s and much better than the US*1 range bourbon equivalent in my humble opinion, it has much more character.

It has a good mix of being light with the low ABV but still having plenty of rye spice to keep it interesting. There is also a great sweetness to this whiskey, reminds me of baby Sazerac a little.

I would definitely recommend having a bottle of this in as a go-to daily drinker if you like your rye whiskey.

Rating
Nose
85
Taste
88
Finish
82
Character
83
Reader Rating5 Votes
84
85