The whiskey wash logo
The World's Most-Visited
Whiskey Website
The World's Most-Visited
Whiskey Website

Trending Stories

Search
American

Michter’s US*1 Sour Mash Whiskey Review

A review of Michter’s US*1 Sour Mash Whiskey, a small-batch Kentucky whiskey made using the traditional sour mash method and a rye-heavy mash bill

OVERALL RATING

8
$50
  • Jeff Bogursky, innovator turned wine seller, runs vintagekosher.com for rare bottles.
Like Conversation

Tasting Notes

About:

Michter’s Small Batch Sour Mash Whiskey (marketed as US*1 Sour Mash) is a small‑batch American whiskey distilled and bottled in Kentucky. It’s labeled a sour mash whiskey rather than bourbon because its mashbill includes a significant amount of rye – it’s not reported, but many guess it could be 45-50% corn, 38-45% rye, thus unable to be called a Rye or a Bourbon. It is created using the traditional sour‑mash fermentation method. Small batch typically means less than 24 barrels. Sour mash is an old technique similar to sourdough, where a bit of the previous mash is used in the creation of the next, in order to achieve depth and consistency.
Appearance:
Rich orange – corn oil, once used
Nose:
Rich sweetness, redolent of fried bananas, frying nuts, a hint of flowery perfume
Palate:
Butter, almost lemony tang, just ground nutmeg, hot tortilla. Smooth nibble, not a bite. Flow is sweet at first, then spicy and rich, then back to sweet.
Finish:
Falls flat on the tongue after a big open, and fades fairly quickly into a moderate sweetness. Encourages another taste.
Comments:
Michter’s brings a range of traditional American expressions to the table, from the tasty basics to the decades old masters. The sour mash is another successful and value rich offering at the entry level, matching its bourbon and American Whiskey as classic drinking experiences with hints of greatness. Neither a bourbon nor a Rye, the Sour Mash shows you what is possible with a judicious mixture of corn, rye and technique.

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.

Jeff Bogursky

Jeff Bogursky is a restless innovator and entrepreneur. He started one of New York’s first digital agencies and developed software applications for decades, before simpliying his life by becoming a wine and spirits seller. His website vintagekosher.com specializes in hard to find and good to drink bottles.

All Posts

Latest On The Whiskey Wash

Whiskey Del Bac Normandie Review

April 18, 2026

What happens when Arizona mesquite smoke meets French Calvados apple brandy barrels? Whiskey Del Bac’s limited Normandie release answers that very question.

The whiskey wash logo