Michter’s Bourbon 10 Years is in a scenario similar to the Michter’s Rye 10 Years in that it’s not made by Michter’s just bottled by them. Like the rye though we can easily assume it’s from either Indiana or Kentucky for whiskey that old and being a single barrel it’s possible different releases come from different distilleries.
In Michter’s Words: Michter’s Bourbon 10 Years
“Mature in age and truly exceptional in quality, Michter’s 10 Year Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon has earned its place as an enduring favorite of the most discerning whiskey connoisseurs. The “Best American Whiskey” according to Food & Wine magazine, our 10 Year Single Barrel Bourbon represents the culmination of over a decade of patient aging in our specially chosen, new charred American white oak barrels.”
I don’t put stock in most awards for a lot of reasons, but to me awards mean even less when they’re given to someone who didn’t distill the liquid they’re awarded for. That’s like giving someone an award for buying a Picasso; it’s ridiculous. I could also make fun of the statement about specially chosen barrels, but I’d honestly rather just ignore it and instead dig into the Michter’s Bourbon 10 Years review.
Michter’s Bourbon 10 Years Info
Region: USA
Distiller: Unknown
Bottler: Chatham Imports / Michter’s
Mashbill: At least 51% Corn, Rye and Malted Barley
Cask: New Charred Oak
Age: 10 Years
ABV: 47.2%
Price: $110+
Michter’s Bourbon 10 Years Review
EYE
Caramel
NOSE
Caramel, roasted grain, cinnamon oil, toffee, vanilla and a bit of fruit.
PALATE
Caramel, roasted grain, cinnamon oil, toffee, vanilla and a bit of fruit and mint.
FINISH
Medium -> Roasted grain, toffee, cinnamon oil and mint.
BALANCE, BODY & FEEL
Well balanced, medium body and a soft warm feel.
OVERALL
Michter’s Bourbon 10 Years is good stuff. It’s on the low end of the B+ scale, but has enough depth to grab it, but what does that actually mean in this scenario? On the surface it means that Chatham Imports / Michter’s picked a good barrel of bourbon (Heaven Hill by my guess). It has no bearing on the Michter’s distillery itself and amounts to the same thing as K&L picking a good barrel of Four Roses.
At the end of the day if you like the Michter’s Bourbon 10 Years and you get it at a price you can live with that’s awesome and that’s all that matters so take my next grumpy words with a grain of salt. Those words being I think it’s ridiculous they’re charging $110+ for a bottle of whiskey someone else distilled because it has the Michter’s name on it when McKenna 10 (my guess) sells for $40.
SCORE: 87-89/100 (B+, not consumed at home)
Michter's Bourbon 10 Years Review - Score Breakdown
Summary
Michter’s Bourbon 10 Years is pretty good, but I’m having a hard time seeing the value.
Overall
- Nose - 87
- Palate - 87
- Finish - 87
- Balance, Body & Feel - 87
I’d love to try this with the McKenna 10: what a disgrace if it actually is the same bourbon. At $35 for the McKenna and a absurd $199 at a store here I doubt if I’ll be doing that comparison. I can’t decide if I dislike price gouging retailers or independent bottlers who price gouge more. And THANKS for the info: I was briefly considering buying the bottle at one of the stores I frequent.
That’s what I’m here for Jon ;) Yeah, I’d love to do them SBS too, but I’m in the same boat. I can’t drop $150+ for something that likely is a ~$40 whiskey in a different bottle. I dislike both equally, but I really put the blame on the people who actually open their wallets and buy at that price. If no one bought it the gouging would stop and many of these NDPs would disappear.
Strangely enough, I did buy a bottle of Michter’s 10 and found it to be quite pleasant and better than the McKenna 10. Is it four or five times better; I don’t know but it IS better. And I am a fan of the McKenna as it is possibly the best bang for your buck that you can find. I actually got it from the Navy Exchange for $22 and the Michter’s was quite a bit more at a local liquor store. I was amazed that I found it at all as it’s not the easiest of bourbons to lay your hands on. As far as what it compares to: Old Rip Van Winkle come to mind (though I know that a majority of you out there are saying no way). I will agree that $130 to $150 for a bottle is steep (no one can find it for $110), but it is really, really, tasty.
I’d actually say it’s better than most of the recent Pappy batches. We did a tasting with last year’s 15 in it and it was ranked dead last. Everyone was floored at how bad it was. So not that weird of a comparison, but also if we’re talking about that exact realm then yeah $150 isn’t horrible compared to what you’ll pay for the Old Rip 10 which 2016 and 2017s batches were a B at best, unfortunately.
Cheers Michael!
Hey Josh,
I got some insider information that Michter’s bourbons are made by the good folks at Four Roses, not Heaven Hill.
Take care,
Mark
Interesting, thanks for sharing. Cheers!
Totally agree with this, it’s good but I was quite disappointed was expecting more. I tried it in a bar a few months back and it was better so letting my bottle sit for a bit to see if it improves.
Cheers!
Henry McKenna 10 year is the stick by which I measure most bourbons. I can usually get it for $28 on sale in Virginia, so if I’m paying $110 for a bottle of 10-year, it sure as hell better be 4-times better then HM-10yr.
Thanks for the great reviews. I’ll add this to the, “Drink if given but never purchase” list :)
Indeed. McKenna 10 is hard to beat, especially with the price and I’m in the same boat as you. I can’t pay $100 for a 10-year-old unless it’s something SUPER rare… which this isn’t.
I agree with Bishop regarding McKenna.
With that in mind, would you consider a series of posts about your favorite spirits that mortals can find?
Thanks!
Liam
Consider it considered!
Nice!
Thanks, Josh!
Cheers!