Michter's US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish Bourbon
Michter's · Michter's Shively Distillery
The secondary toasted barrel adds a dimension of roasted sweetness that sets this apart from standard bourbon profiles. It's indulgent without being cloying — a careful balancing act that Michter's executes with discipline. Worth seeking out for its textural richness alone.
Nose
Immediate butterscotch and toasted marshmallow, followed by a wave of brown sugar and dried apple. Underneath there's a subtle nuttiness and gentle oak char that keeps it grounded.
Palate
Silky entry with caramel custard and vanilla bean, then toasted pecan and a hint of dark chocolate emerge at mid-palate. The mouthfeel is noticeably plush, with a warmth that builds gradually rather than arriving all at once.
Finish
Medium-long with lingering maple sweetness, a dusting of cocoa, and dry oak tannin that provides welcome structure.
- Mash Bill
- Corn-dominant with rye and malted barley (proprietary)
- Barrel Type
- New charred American oak, then transferred to toasted American oak barrel
- Bottled in Bond
- No
- Single Barrel
- No
- Wheated
- No
Cocktail Suggestion
Toasted Boulevardier — 2 oz Michter's Toasted Barrel Finish Bourbon · 1 oz Cocchi di Torino · 0.75 oz Campari · Stir with ice for 30 seconds, strain into a coupe, garnish with a flamed orange peel.
Food Pairing
Pecan-crusted pork chops with a maple glaze
At Michter's Shively Distillery in Louisville, master distiller Dan McKee ages fully matured bourbon in a second barrel — toasted but never charred — coaxing out caramelized sugars that fire would destroy.
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