Description
Michter’s, a renowned American whiskey company, has a rich history dating back to 1753 when Swiss Mennonite farmer John Shenk founded the distillery in Schaefferstown, Pennsylvania.
Shenk’s whiskey was made from rye grain, and a favourite local crop in the Pennsylvania Blue Mountain Valley where the distillery was located.
So much so, during the Revolutionary War, General George Washington purchased whiskey from Shenk’s to fortify his men as they hunkered down in their camp through the long, brutal winter at Valley Forge.
The Michter’s Pennsylvania management would later say that Michter’s was “the whiskey that warmed the American Revolution.” In the mid-1800s, Pennsylvania Dutchman Abraham Bomberger purchased the distillery and it became known as Bomberger’s.
However, the passage of Prohibition in 1919 forced the distillery, along with other American spirits producers, to shut its doors to the public.
Although the distillery did reopen after the repeal of Prohibition, it changed hands many times over the next few decades and frequently occupied a precarious financial position.
In 1989, with the entire American whiskey industry suffering a prolonged downturn, Michter’s then-owners declared bankruptcy and abandoned the premises, leaving its Pennsylvania operations in disrepair and the Michter’s name seemingly lost to history.
However, in the 1990s, Joseph J.
Magliocco and his consultant and mentor Richard “Dick” Newman teamed up to resurrect Michter’s.
Magliocco and Newman made their first major strategic decision to resurrect Michter’s in Kentucky, in the heart of the modern American whiskey industry, to ensure access to the best whiskey talent and resources available.
Today, Michter’s has three locations in Kentucky, including a 78,000 square foot distillery in the Shively section of Louisville, the architecturally significant Fort Nelson Building on Louisville’s Museum Row and 205 acres of farm land in Springfield.
Michter’s is renowned for producing the best whiskey possible and they continue to honour the Michter’s legacy by offering the greatest American whiskey.
Michter’s has come a long way since its early years in Schaefferstown, Pennsylvania and its resurgence in Kentucky is a testament to the brand’s commitment to quality and attention to detail.
During the 1970s and 1980s, Michter’s Original Sour Mash Whiskey was the distillery’s single most popular product.
While the “Sour Mash” moniker originated from the whiskey production process of the same name – whereby some previously fermented mash is used as the starter for the new mash to be fermented, much like making sourdough bread Michter’s Original Sour Mash earned distinction for its unique taste.
With its unique grain selection, it cannot be categorised as a rye or a bourbon, deserving of a category of its own.
Forbes on Michter, “bourbons and ryes regularly set records on the secondary market and at auction.
And for those who actually want to, you know, drink their whiskey instead of hoard it, they taste phenomenal too.” In pursuit of its goal of offering the greatest American whiskey, Michter’s first released its Celebration Sour Mash in 2013.
This watershed moment in United States whiskey history marked the first time that an American company was offering a rare blend intended to rival the finest spirits made anywhere else in the world.
For this release, Michter’s Master Distiller Dan McKee consulted with Michter’s Master of Maturation Andrea Wilson.
He selected whiskey from seven extraordinary barrels, three Kentucky Straight Bourbon and four Kentucky Straight Rye, with the youngest being over 12 years old and the oldest being over 30 years old.
The fourth ever release of Michter’s Celebration Sour Mash, the 2022 Edition, is McKee’s second.
Aged in new fire-charred, new American white oak barrels this blend of Michter’s finest bourbon and rye combines a handpicked selection of exceptional whiskeys.
Only 328 Bottles released worldwide bottled at 112.8 proof (56.4%).
This beautifully packaged, rare and unique bottle comes with a letter of authenticity signed by master distiller Dan McKee.
Bottle Number – 251 of 328 A remarkable combination of elegance and depth of flavour.
One sip of this decadent whiskey begins a cascade of flavours highlighted by dark rich caramel, orange citrus, vanilla bean, honey and milk chocolate as well as notes of molasses and crème brulée.
Nose – Nutty, Charry, Forest Foliage Pine needles and cedar, vanilla and sweet spices.
Then decadent caramel, orange zest.
Palate – Chocolate, Molasses, Spice Similar theme on the palate, it’s rich, chocolatey,
