Michters US*1 Sour Mash American Whiskey Review

Tasting Notes

Nose: Toasted sugar and vanilla with dried fruit, baked bread and cinnamon spice.

Palate: Sweet caramel and vanilla lead into candied cherry, dried fruit, cinnamon and nutmeg, with a rounded buttery texture.

Finish: Rich fruit carries into rye-like spice and a drying close.

Summary

Michter’s US*1 Original Sour Mash is a limited-quantity small-batch American whiskey bottled at 43% ABV and matured in fire-charred new American white oak. The brand’s distinctive grain selection places it outside its bourbon and rye categories, while its profile moves from sweet toasted sugar and fruit toward a drier, spicy finish.

Interesting Facts

• Michter’s says the original Sour Mash disappeared from the market in 1989 and returned in 2012 as part of the US*1 line.
• The sour-mash process uses a portion of previously fermented mash to start fermentation for a new mash, comparable to using a sourdough starter.
• The whiskey is matured in fire-charred new American white oak barrels.