By Randall H. Borkus
Rating: B
In September 2022, Michter’s Distillery released its US*1 Toasted Barrel Sour Mash Whiskey, for the second time only in U.S. and export markets. This expression was originally released in 2019 and it had some mixed reviews because of the overwhelming marshmallow sweetness. I personally took to it as a dessert whiskey.
To make this special Toasted release, Michter’s starts with fully matured barrels of its US*1 Sour Mash Whiskey. “The heart of this toasted product is a wonderful whiskey that begins on the palate like a sweet and delicious bourbon and then has a rye-like spice on the finish,” said Michter’s Master Distiller Dan McKee. Michter’s US*1 Sour Mash is then transferred into specially toasted barrels for additional aging.
The precise toast profile of the second barrel is selected by Michter’s Master of Maturation Andrea Wilson. About her toast selection, Wilson observed, “The 2022 Toasted Sour Mash release takes the Sour Mash expression and enhances it by adding notes of smoked honey and gingersnap cookies accentuated by toasted oak, all while honoring the sweet and spicy balance of our US*1 Sour Mash. Working on the Toasted series really brings forward the influence of the barrel and represents the dedication of the Michter’s team to continuously provide exceptional whiskey.”
Today I am enjoying bottle #22G2292. It is 43% ABV with no age statement
The Whiskey
The whiskey’s color is a marvelous amber-copper swishing in my glass and the whiskey has serious oily legs showing off a serious viscus texture that clings to my glass. The nose has a burst of caramel, butterscotch, burnt sugar, baking spices and vanilla-sweet oak wood hint. The palate is contentedly warm, proofed exactly how the distiller wanted so I experience the whiskey flavors, which include lots of caramel, baked apples with nutmeg and oak wood sweetness. The finish is bolder than expected with a robust sweet caramel honeyed cinnamon profile and a distinct oaky dryness that I really enjoy.
This 2022 expression is much less of a marshmallow sugar bomb that the 2019 version and shows off more of the flavor complexity I have come to enjoy from Michter’s whiskey. I was fortunate to find a backup bottle in the wild, so I keep building my personal Michter’s library.
I enjoyed this Toasted Barrel Sour Mash Whiskey with a Crazy Alice cigar from Drew Estate’s Deadwood Tobacco line out on the patio this fall. The combination was simply delightful with the whiskey’s sweet flavor complexity melded with the intense sweet tobacco flavor profile simply fit well together.
The Price
This release comes in with a MSRP of $99.99 for a 750ml bottle and is available in Chicago at the time of this writing.