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Shenk’s 2025 Release Kentucky Sour Mash Whiskey Review

This whiskey opens with a unique dark plum sweetness before transitioning to rye spice and dried apricot, finishing with a sour explosion that melts into unsweeten cocoa

OVERALL RATING

9
$149
  • Jeff Bogursky, innovator turned wine seller, runs vintagekosher.com for rare bottles.
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Tasting Notes

About:

Unlike straight bourbon or rye, the sour mash designation refers to the traditional method of using a portion of a previous fermentation to start the next, lending consistency and a layered depth of flavor.

A tribute to the company’s deep roots in American whiskey-making, dating back to the 18th century when John Shenk founded his Pennsylvania distillery. Today, under the Michter’s banner, Shenk’s Sour Mash is produced in Kentucky and offered in limited annual releases, each highlighting carefully selected mash bills and unique barrel regimens.

45.6% ABV/750 ML
Numbered bottles of a release of 2799.
Appearance:
Spun Maple Glass
Nose:
A touch of yeast over burnt caramel, pine resin, and nutmeg.
Palate:
At first, as opposed to many whiskeys, there’s a short dark sweet taste, like end of summer plums. This gives way to a shot of Rye spice over a faded bourbon sweetness; dried apricot.
Finish:
Quiet fade into a jaw-gripping sour explosion, which melts into a pleasant non non-sweet caramel.
Comments:
Elegant, forceful but made with masterly balance to keep it’s power in check. Shenk’s 2025 sour mash is an excellent vintage of the series. While I prefer the depth, complexity and force of Michter’s parallel release of Bomberger’s, Shenk’s makes an excellent dram to enjoy in your favorite chair.

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.

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