Michter’s 10 Year Old Bourbon (2018)

By Richard Thomas

Rating: A-

It’s my anecdotal experience, first and second hand, that Michter’s 10 Year Old is the least agreed upon expression among the sort of pricey, annual limited edition releases in American Whiskey. I wouldn’t call it divisive, because nobody actually hates it and I’m not interested in clickbait proclamations. So it’s not a question of everybody loves it or hates it, but a certain slice of bourbon enthusiasts definitely thinks its nothing special, either for a limited edition or a 10 year old bourbon.

To a certain extent, I agree. If I had to choose between them, I’d pick the Michter’s 10 Year Old Rye over the bourbon every time, based on my past experience. That said, this single barrel expression is no slouch, especially if you desire a particular flavor profile for your bourbon.

The Bourbon
In an interesting twist, it was revealed on a recent Whiskycast that the barrels chosen for this release were actually 12 years old. Just a reminder than an age statement is always a minimum!

Bottled at 94.4 proof (47.2% ABV), the whiskey has a bright, shining and reddened appearance in the glass. It’s a viscous-looking liquid, though, one that drops no legs (at least not for a long time) on the swish and coat, instead leaving a crown of beads.

Those nose is full of brown sugar with plenty of cinnamon, a pinch of cookie spice and a spoonful of vanilla extract. The flavor follows from there, but with a decidedly nutty note, followed by a little dry, astringent wood coming on later. The finish closes lightly peppered and dry.

Michter’s 10 is always a well-rounded bourbon with a moderately light texture and a somewhat dry, spicy character. This is the fourth year in a row we’ve reviewed it, and this is consistently what it has been, given a little variance in barrels. One wonders if the stock used for Michter’s 10 Year Old might not be high in the rye to account for those characteristics. To return to the issue of some people like it and some people don’t, if you like your bourbon spicy and dry, this is a good annual limited edition to get.

The Price
Recommended retail is $120, but market value is usually closer to $150.