Michter's 'US-1 Small Batch' Sour Mash Whiskey, Kentucky

Warm toasted sugar and honeyed spice set the tone for Michter’s US-1 Small Batch Sour Mash Whiskey, a whiskey defined as much by its history as by its distinctive flavor profile. Revived after decades off the market, this expression honors a once-iconic house style that defies easy categorization, bridging the worlds of bourbon and rye through thoughtful grain selection and small-batch precision. It reflects Michter’s commitment to patience, taste-first decision-making, and the careful preservation of legacy.

Product Details:

• Distiller: Dan McKee
• Alcohol: 43%
• Production: Small batch; limited quantities
• Cooperage: Fire-charred new American white oak barrels

Sensory Description:

The nose opens with warm notes of toasted sugar, honeyed vanilla, and gentle spice, followed by hints of smoky fruit and candied cherry. On the palate, the whiskey begins with the round sweetness and richness associated with bourbon, then transitions into a spicier, drier profile reminiscent of rye. Layers of burnt sugar, soft smoke, and ripe fruit unfold smoothly, carried by a balanced mouthfeel and refined structure. The finish is lingering and expressive, combining sweetness and spice in a way that feels both familiar and distinctive, true to the Sour Mash style that made this whiskey famous.

Awards & Accolades:

• Whisky of the Year: The Whisky Exchange (2019)

Distiller's Background:

Michter’s traces its heritage back to America’s earliest whiskey traditions, with a modern revival built on historical reference and uncompromising quality standards. The US-1 range represents the distillery’s finest expressions, each released only when deemed ready by Master Distiller Dan McKee and the Michter’s tasting panel. Once the distillery’s most popular bottling in the 1970s and 1980s, Sour Mash returned in 2012 as part of the US-1 lineup, quickly reclaiming its status among enthusiasts for its singular style and balance.

Serving Suggestions:

Enjoy neat or with a few drops of water to open its layered aromatics and evolving palate. It also performs beautifully in classic whiskey cocktails where its balance of sweetness and spice can shine, such as an Old Fashioned or a refined Whiskey Sour.