A little background

Originally released in 2014 and 2015, Michter’s Toasted Barrel Finish Bourbon developed quite a following of drinkers that were left without another release for three years when the 2018 version was released at 91.4. Michter’s Toasted Barrel Bourbon starts as Michter’s US-1 bourbon that is then aged in barrels made of 18 month air-dried wood and toasted instead of charred.

Manufacturer: Michter’s Distillery
Mashbill: 79% Corn / 11% Rye / 10% Malted Barley
Location: Louisville, Kentucky
Proof / ABV: 91.4 / 45.7%
Retail Price: $55

(Tasted neat from a Glencairn Glass)

Color

Amber

Nose

Cinnamon, sugar, and graham cracker with a slight citrus zest and plum.

Palate

Nice creamy viscosity with subtle toffee, vanilla, and dark fruit with oak, hints of brown sugar, and cinnamon taking over mid to back palate.

Finish

Toffee, char, and oak up come through with just a hint of heat with an aftertaste of plum coming back.

In closing

From start to finish, Michter’s Toasted Barrel Bourbon is really enjoyable. The aromas and flavors are delicate yet powerful throughout. The nose has no ethanol and really entices the drinker to dive right in. Initial thoughts of the cinnamon candy Red Hots melded with a heavy plum note that lingers in the background cutting the cinnamon spice. The palate has a medium viscosity but coats the palate extremely well, flooding the mouth with vanilla and sweet fruit up front. The palate continues with amazing flavor as the sweet fruit really highlights the brown sugar and cinnamon towards the back palate. The finish, although good, really doesn’t do the nose and palate justice. The toffee, char, and oak meld well together but the lower proof on this bottle deprives the drinker of a lasting finish.

For $55 dollars, the 2021 release of Michter’s Toasted Barrel Bourbon is a great value. However, it has become an allocated bottle in most markets making it almost impossible to find at retail.

NOTE: The sample used for this review was provided at no cost courtesy of Michter’s. We thank them for the sample and for allowing us to review it with no strings attached.