Michter’s Rye 10 Years is a rye whiskey put out by Chatham Imports under the Michter’s name and is sourced from… somewhere. Or even multiple somewheres. There isn’t a state statement (ie Kentucky) on the label so each barrel could be from a different distillery / state. Though realistically it could really only be from Indiana (MGP) or Kentucky when we’re talking about product this old.
In Michter’s Words: Michter’s Rye 10 Years
“One of our most limited production items, Michter’s 10 Year Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Rye continues the legacy of America’s first whiskey variety (rye) from America’s first whiskey company (Michter’s, originally known as Shenk’s). After a nearly three year absence from the market, Master Distiller Willie Pratt finally gave the green light for the re-release of Michter’s 10 Year Straight Rye in April 2014.”
Why they need the Master Distiller’s green light on a product they sourced from somewhere else is beyond me. The verbiage here is bordering on Templeton Rye level of absurdity. They don’t actually claim to distill the Michter’s Rye 10 Years, so there’s that, but they come really close to it. Anyways, let’s get into the liquid and dive on into the Michter’s Rye 10 Years review.
Michter’s Rye 10 Years Info
Region: USA
Distiller: Unknown (I think Brown-Forman for this one)
Bottler: Chatham Imports / Michter’s
Mashbill: At least 51% Rye + Corn + Malted Barley
Cask: New Charred Oak
Age: 10 Years
ABV: 46.4%
Price: ~$170
Michter’s Rye 10 Years Review
EYE
Amber
NOSE
Copper, dilly herbal spice, toffee, muffin-like sweetness, butterscotch, dried fruit and a bit of banana.
PALATE
Butterscotch, dilly herbal spice, toffee, copper, dried fruit and a bit of banana and spearmint.
FINISH
Medium -> Butterscotch, copper, dried fruit and spearmint.
BALANCE, BODY & FEEL
Decent balance, medium body and oily feel
OVERALL
My first thought when poured this in the Michter’s Rye 10 Years blind was “This tastes like a better, oakier, version of the Woodford Reserve Rye” and since Michter’s sources everything it’s completely possible they got it from Brown-Forman. It has that same soft profile but it’s bolstered by a bit more oak and a more mature overall sense of depth.
Michter’s Rye 10 Years is something I didn’t expect to like, but when it was revealed I was pleasantly surprised; the value question is a completely different story though. Is a 10-year-old rye whiskey worth $170+? That’s not for me and my limited means to say for you, but for me the answer is a solid no. Maybe half that and it would be a good deal.
SCORE: 87-89/100 (B+, not consumed at home)