In September 2022, Michter’s Distillery will release its US*1 Toasted Barrel Sour Mash Whiskey. This whiskey was released once before in 2019. In September 2022, Michter’s Distillery will release its US*1 Toasted Barrel Sour Mash Whiskey. This whiskey was released once before in 2019.
When Michter’s US*1 Sour Mash, the base of this Toasted release, was selected by The Whisky Exchange as “Whisky of the Year” for 2019, it marked the first time that any whiskey from the United States had ever achieved this honor.
“At Michter’s we’re proud of the great work done by our production team to create our Toasted program,” commented Michter’s President Joseph J. Magliocco.
“We are always trying new things as we endeavor to make highest quality whiskeys, and with the 2014 release of our US*1 Toasted Barrel Bourbon we became the first company to offer a toasted barrel American whiskey. It’s great to see how this new category has taken off over the past 8 years.”
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 artfully 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.”
PRODUCTION: Limited release.
STATE OF DISTILLATION: Kentucky
2022 BOTTLING STRENGTH: 86 proof / 43% ABV
COOPERAGE: First Barrel: Fire-charred, new American white oak barrels. Second Barrel: Toasted barrel made from 18-month air-dried wood
TASTING NOTES: Toffee and buttery vanilla notes up front with fragrant honey, milk chocolate, and a hint of orange peel. Mid-palate the toasty campfire notes appear and intensify the cherry and spice notes in this elegant whiskey
Image Credit: Michter’s
