Today seemed like the right opportunity (excuse) to pick up a drop of American whiskey and when one of them calls itself “US*1”, the decision had already been made for me.
Michter’s history dates back to the mid 1750s but the brand as we know it today has really come into its own since the 1990s and used the “US*1” brand since 2003 to create a nice roster of releases, each showcasing a style of American whiskey.
Here the “Unblended” moniker refers to both the fact that it is an unblended grain whiskey (ie it is not a neutral grain spirit) and that it has been aged in used barrels. “Bourbon” officially needs to be housed in new oak barrels to get that name, but here the whisky has been aged in reused barrels that have formerly contained whiskey.
Whilst the recipe itself is not disclosed, the surrounding literature and reviews suggest that it is a bourbon-like mash bill with a high corn / low rye content.
The final whiskey is bottled at the very specific 41.7% ABV in small batches, currently available in the UK around £55-60 GBP (it’s closer to $40 in its native USA).
Nose
A rich and sticky sweet start. Cloying syrupy molasses sweetness seeps out of the glass with an orange juice fruitiness and kirsch cherries sweet-and-sourness too. All rounded out with a big bouquet of rich spices.
Taste
A very silky soft arrival. Buttery. Fudgy. Syrupy. All that big sweetness hits first followed by the rich fruity flavour of fig rolls. There’s also the flavours of a crepe suzette courtesy of a mixture of pancakes, Cointreau and ice cream. Spices build with the heat and bring nutmeg, star anise, cinnamon. clove and even some onion seed.
Finish
A decent little tingle as the spices and fruits slide away.
Verdict
Quite a rich and syrupy experience. The flavours and strength of the whiskey are actually a lot softer than the nose lets on. The fruit flavours are less pronounced on palate but still present and tasty.
I’ve been keen to try Michter’s different entry level releases and this seemed like right time. Parking aside the politics associated with celebrating anything American whilst sat in the UK, I’ve used the 4th of July as an excuse to raid the sample sets and pull out a drop of US whiskey. It’s done the job anyway.
I’ve often seen this described as a “gateway” whiskey similar to get into American whiskies, and from the States it certainly has that more approachable price tag (less so here). I wouldn’t say it’s necessarily pulling its punches either as I thought it had more heat and booze than the (oddly specific) 41.7% was suggesting and all of the flavours do work together for something that could easily be served and paired with a smokehouse-style meaty meal.
M
Sample disclosure: This sample was received as part of a paid subscription to OurWhisky. Sadly no longer running. All notes are intended as an honest, fair, and independent review of the whiskey, and not as a promotion. Please drink responsibly. Please drink wisely.
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