Michter's US*1 Unblended American Whiskey: Why It Cannot Be Called Bourbon

Michter's US*1 American Whiskey is matured in bourbon-soaked white oak barrels rather than the new charred oak that bourbon law requires. That single decision is why the label reads American Whiskey instead of bourbon, and it is the entire point of the bottle. Bottled at 83.4 proof (41.7% ABV) by Michter's Distillery in Louisville, Kentucky, distilled in small batches to the Michter's pre Revolutionary War quality standards dating to 1753.

A once used barrel has already given up its harshest tannins to the whiskey before it. What is left in the wood is softer and sweeter, so instead of raw oak bite you get depth from the barrel's previous life. Michter's then finishes it with their signature filtration. The word unblended on the label matters too: this is not a blend of whiskey and neutral spirit, which is what most bottles labeled American whiskey turn out to be.

If you want to understand what new charred oak actually contributes to bourbon, drink this next to one. The grain recipe is comparable. The barrel is the variable, and here you can taste its absence.

Tasting Notes

• Nose: Butterscotch and vanilla with a hint of caramel.
• Palate: Deep butterscotch and vanilla over caramel and dried fruit. Rounder and mellower than a straight bourbon.
• Finish: Smooth, closing on ripened fruit rather than oak and heat.

How to Enjoy

• Neat or one large cube: the butterscotch opens up with a little dilution.
• Old Fashioned: the mellow character is a feature here. Nothing to fight.
• Beside a bourbon: the clearest lesson in what new charred oak does, and does not, do.
• With dark chocolate or a nutty dessert: the dried fruit note picks both up.

Product Details

• Distillery: Michter's Distillery LLC, Louisville, Kentucky
• Heritage: Michter's pre Revolutionary War quality standards, dating to 1753
• Style: Unblended American Whiskey, small batch. Not bourbon, by design
• Maturation: Bourbon-soaked white oak barrels
• Proof: 83.4 proof (41.7% ABV)
• Bottle Size: 750mL
• Shipping weight: 5 lb

Note: Product images are for illustrative purposes only. Batch number varies bottle to bottle.

⚠️ 21+ Only

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

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