Bourbon

Bourbon Review: Michter's US*1 Small Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon

$40

OVERALL
RATING

8

Bourbon Review: Michter’s US*1 Small Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon

Michter's US*1 is a Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey from Michter's, a brand that produces small batches without compromise.
Like Conversation

Tasting Notes:

About:

Hailing from Louisville, Kentucky, Mitcher’s is a distillery with a rich history, dating back as far as 1753. Mitcher’s takes an admirable approach with their bottles, making, as they put it, “truly small batches”, not allowing margin for blending away imperfections. This means every distillation and cask has to be perfect, which is incredible commitment! Michter’s US*1 is their straight bourbon release, which while seeming basic compared to the rest of their line-up, to me only means it truly has its work cut out for it in such a well understood whiskey genre!


Appearance:
Standard Tawny, akin to light auburn
Nose:
Up front, the bourbon has a clear aroma of honey and vanilla, very sweet but not overbearing. Succulent brown sugar complimented by subtler noted of milk chocolate and dried fruits. Overall very mellow.
Palate:
Immediate sense of noticeable tingling, though it doesn’t increase in intensity too fast. First flavours that jump out are sweet golden syrup and vanilla ina beautiful medly with dried mango. Oak flavouring is notable, rounded out but subtler flavours of cinnamon and smoke, which help make the mouth tingling sensation feel more dynamic compared to other whiskies.
Finish:
Holds tingle well, but doesn’t overstay it’s welcome. Honey is still ever present, but with a deeper emphasis of smoke and rounding off with a particularly oaky finish. The aftertaste lingers a while, particularly the smoke, but accompanied by the warmth it leaves behind it is very welcome.
Comments:

Mitcher’s posits itself as the best bourbon to celebrate the history behind American whiskey, and I can certainly understand where they are coming from. This is a solid whiskey that to me just represents the whole genre of “Bourbon” really well.

I could see this being a very versatile dram, it’s a perfect conversation starter, a good drink for house parties, an enjoyable drink for those experienced in whisk(e)y of all forms! Although a little pricey for a beginner whisk(e)y enjoyer, it is certainly not out of reach, and I could see potential newcomers shelling out the extra cash to get their hands on, and it would be well worth it!

As mentioned, this is just a great all rounder bourbon, for the price point it puts up a truly delectable palate, made even more impressive by the strict requirements of Mitcher’s small batch process! It may be a bit sweet for some, but I would recommend this bourbon to any whisk(e)y enjoyer, but particularly any American or Irish whiskey enjoyers out there!


Editor’s Note: This whiskey was either bought as a sample by The Whiskey Wash or provided to us as a review sample by the party behind it. Per our editorial policies, this in no way influenced the outcome of this review.

Jade Cox

Jade began a bartending career in January 2023 while studying for her university degree Psychology. She has since been in a variety of different bars and gained extensive knowledge of whisk(e)y, both on and off the job, including a general certificate in distilling. Jade is passionate about music, illustration, creative writing and personal expression. Jade has a particular fondness for Bourbon and Irish whiskey, as she feels it embodies her philosophy for life perfectly: “All good things are a perfect blend of proven theory and bold experimentation”.

All Posts