whisky review

Review: Michter’s 10-Year-Old Bourbon (2023)

This review’s a little late, but better late than never! Earlier this year, Michter’s has once again released one of my favorites of their whiskies – the venerable 10-year-old single barrel bourbon.

My sample bottle provided by Micther’s comes from barrel #23A0276. It’s bottled at 47.2% abv, or 94.4 proof. Over the past couple of years, I’ve found myself reaching for barrel proof offerings less. I find whiskies aged between 8-10 years and bottled at between 90-100 proof my current sweet spot. This expression certainly ticks all boxes.

On the nose, hints of cinnamon roll, nutmeg, and vanilla show at first. A little airtime reveals lovely oak spice. Things feel rich on the palate. Maple syrup kicks things off, with waves of brown sugar and spice washing over the palate. A touch of oak tannins on the back of the palate lead to a medium-length finish.

No surprises here. What’s lovely about these single barrel offerings from Michter’s is the level of consistency from release to release. I find much less variation with this brand than others. That’s not a bad thing, just an observation. That said, this 2023 release keeps the flavor profile of their 10-year-old bourbon very well. Love the waves of brown sugar sweetness combined with baking spices. Makes for an extremely balanced whiskey. Highly recommended!

$185 | michters.com

Review: Muckety-Muck 25-year-old Single Grain Scotch Whisky
Photo courtesy of Orphan Barrel Whisky Distilling Company

The Port Dundas distillery was demolished a little more than a decade ago, but the remaining stocks continue to age. Luckily, on occasion, we get to enjoy those aging stocks. Muckety-Muck 25-year-old, the latest Orphan Barrel release, is the follow-up release to a 24-year-old bottling. And my goodness, this single grain whisky just gets better with age.

Bottled at 95.5% abv, Muckety-Muck is comprised of American first-fill casks, allowing for the character of the distillate to shine through.

The nose is full of brown sugar, vanilla, and orchard fruits with a slight citrusy (orange) top note. Dessert-like on the palate, Muckety-Muck 25-year-old comes across like an apple pie – ripe apples, brown sugar, sweet dough. Caramel adds to the rich sweetness, which continues through to the finish. There’s a refreshing minty note that pops up on the end, sort of cleaning the palate for the next sip.

I’m a fan of great single grain whisky, especially when its well aged. Muckety-Muck 25 checks the boxes for me. It’s rich and sweet and delicious, making for a great after-dinner choice. But because it’s so rich and sweet, I wouldn’t drink this on a regular basis. Not a knock on the whisky, just my preference. I hope Muckety-Muck becomes the new Rhetoric, with additional releases being put out every year. With a $250 suggested retail price, Muckety-Muck 25 isn’t overpriced for what it offers.

Recommended!

Thanks to Diageo for the sample. As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Review: Crown Royal Noble Collection 13-Year-Old Blenders’ Mash

The 2018 entry to Crown Royal’s annual Noble Collection is this 13-year-old Blenders’ Mash.  The whisky’s mash bill is similar to that of bourbon.  According to Crown Royal Brand Ambassador Stephen Wilson, it’s about two thirds corn and one third rye, with a touch of malted barley.  This whisky is also aged exclusively in new barrels.  Really, the only thing that keeps this from being bourbon is that it’s made in Canada and not the U.S.

Rich caramel and oak spice are the dominant notes on the nose, complemented by vanilla and floral notes. It’s very reminiscent of a typical bourbon, and that sentiment also carries over to the palate. Cinnamon frosting leads things off, followed by a burst of freshly squeezed orange juice and maple caramel chews. Some oak spice develops in the mid-palate, becoming slightly astringent. The medium-length finish is warming with hints toasted oak and caramel.

This is fantastic whisky, and my favorite of the Noble Collection releases.  Not only is 13-year-old Blenders’ Mash a great gateway into Crown Royal for bourbon fans, it’s simply fantastic.  My only issue here is the price, which is about $100 a bottle.  I can name a number of bourbons for half that price.  So, this Crown Royal blend is a bit expensive for what it delivers.  Price aside, 13-year-old Blenders’ Mash comes with a recommendation. 8.5/10

Crownroyal.com

Thanks to Crown Royal for the sample.  As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own.