Distillery: Michter’s Distillery
Proof: 91.4
Age: No Age Statement
Mashbill: Undisclosed
Price: $50
Company
Up until recently, Michter’s had their whiskey produced by Brown Forman (Old Forester). Now, Michter’s has distilleries in Shively, Fort Nelson, and Springfield Farm (Kentucky).
They stand out from other companies mainly for their use of a lower barrel entry proof (103 instead of 125) which results in fewer bottles per barrel.
They also use a process called “heat cycling” which is essentially heating the warehouses so the distillate continuously goes in and out of the barrel throughout the winter. This is costly because more bourbon evaporates, but it also makes what remains much richer.
Production
According to their site, Michter’s is made from a “carefully selected mashbill that features the highest quality American corn”. The small batch expression is “batched” in a holding tank that only fits 20 barrels (which leaves less margin for error).
Nose – 92/100
I got an immediate and unexpected blast of Granny Smith Apples and cinnamon with some vanilla mixed in. It’s a light and dry nose.
Palate – 90/100
The Granny Smith notes didn’t carry through to the palate, but the cinnamon did, along with notes of sweet corn, vanilla, and rye spice. It’s a sweet, easy-sipper but it tastes light and young. Not necessarily what I was expecting with a $50 bottle.
Finish – 90/100
Medium finish with notes of vanilla, oak, and rye spice that hangs around. It’s hot but not too hot, making it a satisfying experience to round things out.
Value -87/100
The price is where Michter’s Small Batch falls apart for me.
I’ve had tons of $50 bottles I’d rather buy over Michter’s (Baker’s, Maker’s 46, and Belle Meade just to name a few). This is just too light and young for the price point. It’s not a bad tasting pour, but it’s just not a $50 bottle.
There’s simply nothing particularly amazing about Michter’s Small Batch. It’s a slightly above-average pour for a way above-average price point.
Verdict – 89.75/100
We score each bourbon based on nose, palate, finish, and value.
Scoring System:
- Platinum – 95+
- Gold – 90 – 94
- Silver – 80 – 89
- Bronze – <80
Hunter Branch is the Founder and Director of Editorial for Bourbon Inspector. He has been writing about and professionally reviewing bourbon since 2020 (and has been drinking it for much longer). He’s been able to interview big names in the bourbon industry like Trey Zoeller from Jefferson’s Bourbon and his work has been featured in publications like TastingTable, Mashed, and more.