Shenk's Homestead 2023: The Chinquapin Oak Year

Shenk's Homestead is one of two annual limited releases from Michter's Distillery in Louisville, Kentucky, alongside Bomberger's Declaration. It is a Kentucky Sour Mash Whiskey made with a substantial amount of rye and bottled at 91.2 proof (45.6% ABV).

The name honors John Shenk, who in 1753 founded the Pennsylvania distillery that later became Bomberger's and then, in the 20th century, Michter's. Every Shenk's release is Michter's nod to that lineage.

Why the 2023 Is Its Own Bottle

Shenk's changes every year, and the recipe is the whole point of collecting it. For 2023, Michter's used a higher percentage of whiskey aged in Chinquapin oak than in any prior year, and longer aging times. The release also carries malted rye in the recipe and a portion matured in toasted French oak from the Vosges region, air dried and seasoned for 24 months before toasting.

Because it is released once a year in batches of roughly 2,500 bottles and then gone, the 2023 cannot be reordered. What is on the shelf is what exists.

What Sour Mash Actually Means

In the traditional sour mash process, a portion of the previously distilled mash, called the setback, is carried into the next batch. It controls acidity, keeps fermentation consistent and threads a continuity of character from one batch to the next. It is the old way of doing it, and Michter's kept it.

Tasting Notes

• Nose: Toasty oak with molasses and warm baking spice.
• Palate: Smooth spice over dried fruit and honey, with caramel and a touch of chocolate from the toasted oak.
• Finish: Long and smooth, closing on vanilla, toasted oak and milk chocolate.

How to Enjoy

• Neat: at 91.2 proof it is built to be drunk without water.
• Give it ten minutes: the French oak opens up considerably in the glass.
• Side by side: pour it against a Bomberger's Declaration to see the two halves of Michter's limited program.
• Collector note: numbered bottle, sealed, never opened.

Product Details

• Distillery: Michter's Distillery, Louisville, Kentucky
• Style: Kentucky Sour Mash Whiskey, small batch, annual limited release
• Release Year: 2023
• Proof: 91.2 proof (45.6% ABV)
• Oak: Chinquapin oak forward, plus toasted French oak from the Vosges
• Bottle Number: 801 of 2551
• Batch: 23E1503
• Bottle Size: 750mL
• UPC: 039383011648
• Shipping weight: 5 lb

Note: this is the 2023 release specifically. Later Shenk's releases are different whiskies with different oak and different aging.

⚠️ 21+ Only

Adult signature required upon delivery. Available where permitted by law. Please drink responsibly.

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