Michter’s US*1 American Whiskey Review

Michters American Whiskey

Michter’s Unblended American Whiskey.  Why not just call it bourbon?  Bourbon needs to be aged in new charred oak barrels.  The key word there is “new.”  Michter’s ages this particular whiskey in used oak barrels (think Scotch).  The label states it’s unblended because the whiskey is not blended with neutral grain spirit.

The sample I received is from batch #15E473.  This is bottled at 83.4 proof.  A bottle of Michter’s Unblended American Whiskey will cost you around $40.

Right up front on the nose is rich with sweet toffee and buttered corn.  There’s also very light touch of rye and baking spices.  Upon entry, Michter’s American Whiskey seems one-note with the toffee note from the nose.  Then, out of nowhere buttered rye toast, corn mash and some vanilla arrive late to the party.  I do wish it were a little fuller in mouthfeel, but that could be due to the low proof and/or filtration.  Mint takes us to the medium-length finish, which is slightly spicy and a tad sweet.

Impressive.  I really like what Michter’s did here with their maturation. Regardless of it’s lighter mouthfeel, this whiskey manages to maintain a high level of richness and wonderful flavors at a price that won’t break the bank.

8/10
(Note: A review sample was provided by Michter’s.)

Michter’s US*1 Sour Mash Whiskey Review

Michters Sour Mash

We’re kicking off a week of Michter’s reviews with a look at their Sour Mash whiskey.  Sour Mash is the method of using a portion of previously fermented mash to start a new mash.  The process helps pH levels in the mash, affecting overall flavor of the final whiskey.

(more…)

The Macallan 18-Year-Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky Review

The Macallan 18-year-old is the kind of whisky someone looking to impress would have in their collection.  After all, a single malt with an 18-year-old age statement carries some weight.  Especially if it comes from the Macallan distillery.

Look past that and focus on the whisky itself.  You’ll find a damn fine example of a Highland single malt.  Macallan 18 is aged exclusively in ex-sherry casks.  It’s known as a sherry bomb, due to the high influence of flavor those casks provide.  This expression is bottled at 43%.

The nose here is spicy, with ginger leading the charge.  Close behind in full force is luscious toffee and sherried dark fruit, with fruit cake rounding off the nose.  The palate isn’t as sweet as the nose suggests.  I get big sherried dark fruit right up front.  There is also some wood smoke and vanilla bean.  Mid-palate, I pick up a nice amount of spice (cinnamon and ginger) along with some bitter orange rind.  Spiced berries and brown sugar carry the medium finish.

Macallan 18-year-old is richer than its 12-year-old sibling.  Flavors are a tad bolder and more refined.  I see the appeal of this over the younger expression.  A bottle of this runs $200+, while the 12-year-old is $60+.  It’s up to you to decide if six extra years of maturation is worth $140.  Value aside, Macallan 18 is an exquisite sherried whisky I thoroughly enjoyed.  Recommended.

8.5/10
(Note: A review sample was provided by Edrington Americas.)