Whiskey Michter's US ★ 1 Toasted Barrel Finish Rye

Michter’s team follows traditional Kentucky distilling methods but experiments to create the best American whiskeys. After years of researching rye whiskey barrel finishes, we’re proud to present Michter’s US★1 Toasted Barrel Rye. It starts with our US★1 Kentucky Straight Rye at barrel strength, then aged further in a second custom barrel made from 24-month air-dried wood, toasted to our specs. This creates a unique rye whiskey. The September 2023 release averages 108.9 proof.

Aromas of toffee, honey, black walnut, and a touch of campfire lead to a rich taste with dark chocolate, salted caramel, cherry, and mint. The finish has bold spice balanced by smooth oak.

Originally known as Shenk's and later as Bomberger's, the whiskey company which ultimately became known as Michter's was founded by John Shenk, a Swiss Mennonite farmer, in Schaefferstown, Pennsylvania in 1753. In its earliest days, Shenk's produced whiskey from rye grain, a favorite local crop in the Pennsylvania Blue Mountain Valley where the distillery was located.

According to Pennsylvania historical lore, commemorated by the Lebanon Valley Coin Club in 1978, this particular rye whiskey was so valued that when the Revolutionary War broke out, General George Washington visited the distillery and purchased whiskey to fortify his men as they hunkered down in their camp through the long, brutal winter at Valley Forge. Over 200 years later the Michter's Pennsylvania management would say Michter's was "the whiskey that warmed the American Revolution."

In the mid-1800s, Pennsylvania Dutchman Abraham Bomberger purchased the distillery and it became known for many decades as Bomberger's.