Michter's US - The Oldest Whiskey In The USA
When we had the chance to obtain whiskey from what is believed to be the oldest distillery in the U.S., we jumped at it. Michter's Distillery traces its roots back to the opening of America’s first whiskey company in 1753.
Originally known as Shenk's, the distillery was founded by John Shenk, a Swiss farmer from Schaefferstown, Pennsylvania, who made rye whiskey using locally grown crops from the Pennsylvania Blue Mountain Valley. His whiskey was so highly regarded that during the American Revolution, George Washington personally visited the distillery and purchased a large supply for his troops to endure the brutal winter at Valley Forge. Over 200 years later, Michter’s Pennsylvania management would declare that Michter’s was "the whiskey that warmed the American Revolution."
In the mid-1800s, Abraham Bomberger, a Dutchman from Pennsylvania, purchased the distillery and renamed it Bomberger’s. It thrived under the new name until Prohibition forced its closure in 1919. After Prohibition was repealed, the distillery reopened but faced financial struggles and changed hands multiple times. One of these owners, Lou Forman, introduced the Michter’s brand name that remains today.
By 1989, declining whiskey demand led to Michter’s bankruptcy, leaving the Pennsylvania operations in disrepair. However, in the early 1990s, two whiskey enthusiasts—Joseph J. Magliocco and Richard Newman, a Yale graduate and ex-U.S. Marine—revived the brand. They pursued a simple but bold strategy: to honour Michter’s legacy by producing the best whiskey possible, regardless of cost.
After securing the unused and abandoned Michter’s trademark, they made a key decision: to relocate Michter’s to Kentucky, the heart of the modern American whiskey industry, ensuring access to the best resources and talent. Since then, Michter’s has reclaimed its rightful place among top-tier American whiskeys.
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Michter's US 1 American Whiskey
Unlike Bourbon or Rye, which must be aged in new oak barrels, Michter’s Unblended American Whiskey is aged in bourbon-soaked barrels, creating a rich, unique flavour profile. It contains no grain neutral spirits, earning the “unblended” distinction.
Bottling Strength: 41.7% ABV
Cooperage: Bourbon-soaked American white oak barrels
Tasting Notes: Deep butterscotch and vanilla notes, hints of caramel and dried fruit, with a ripened fruit finish.
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Michter's US 1 Kentucky Straight Rye
Rye is America’s oldest whiskey variety. Michter’s Straight Rye is made from select American rye grain, sheared to maximize flavour extraction. Each bottle comes from a single barrel, reflecting their commitment to quality.
Bottling Strength: 42.4% ABV
Cooperage: Fire-charred, new American white oak barrels
Tasting Notes: Spice with peppery notes, citrus, butterscotch, oak.
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Michter's US 1 Kentucky Straight Bourbon
Michter’s Bourbon is crafted from high-quality American corn and matured to perfection, with barrels often aged over eight years. Each small batch contains no more than two dozen barrels—meaning every barrel must be top-notch.
Bottling Strength: 45.7% ABV
Cooperage: Fire-charred, new American white oak barrels
Tasting Notes: Rich caramel with balanced vanilla, stone fruit notes, smoky depth, and an oak finish.
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Michter's US 1 Sour Mash
“Sour Mash” is a whiskey-making process where previously fermented mash is used to start the new batch. During the 1970s and 1980s, Michter’s Sour Mash Whiskey was the distillery’s most popular product, known for its distinctive taste.
After disappearing in 1989, it returned in 2012 as part of the US 1 line.
Bottling Strength: 43% ABV
Cooperage: Fire-charred, new American white oak barrels
Tasting Notes: Rich cinnamon entry with notes of butter and almond, followed by a peppery finish.