So I have done my fair share of distillery tours but what Michter's has done is something that is quite impressive. The way they have designed the distillery and guests' experience, you don't necessarily have to go on the tour. They have a viewing area set up next to the bar on the second floor that allows you to look down into the distillery, not only do you see the pot stills but you also see the mash, smell the mash and can watch the tour from above. The only thing you cannot do is hear what is being said, which for me, was perfect. I love the smell of mash. I love it so much that I buy the candles just so my house will smell like it. Crazy, right?
Anyway, this afternoon I chose to go straight up to their bar and have a tasting instead of a tour. My timing was perfect. There were plenty of seats available and I was able to get set up without worrying about disrupting others (or drawing too much attention to myself). I chose to do a flight that consisted of their US 1, US 1 Toasted Barrel, 10 years, and the Bomberger's Declaration, which you can only buy at the distillery. Being a coffee lover I also ordered up a cup of coffee that was roasted with the bourbon (not sure the details but I will find out!) and see how it interacted with each.
US 1 is a small batch that appears very soft in the glass and has the lightest shade of yellow out of the group. It noses of vanilla, a slight hint of tobacco or subtle charring. Sipping it you really get the toasted vanilla flavor and a soft hug in the back of your throat down to your belly. It was a great start and did not overwhelm nor disappoint me.
US 1 Toasted Barrel is a single barrel that has a soft golden color, deeper than US 1 but not a dark as honey. The nose was a hint of spice and orange zest that has been lit. You feel the tingle as soon as the liquid touches your lips. The tingle reaches back into your throat and sneaks around to your cheeks before going down. It is not what I expected from a 103 proof whiskey. It was so soft and seductive, unlike some others I have had. What did surprise me was the flavor of orange caramels on the tongue and a lingering bitterness that followed. It goes from sweet to bitter without warning yet I liked it.
The 10 year is deeper and wafts hints of clove and wood up to greet you. The color is a bit richer and tastes like maple bourbon candy that you get at the chocolate shop. It was so surprising to me that I cleaned my palate and went back for a second try. The hug is a bit stronger and you will definitely have the warm fuzzies when this one reaches your belly.
Now the Bomberger's Declaration is a delight. It is borderline amber in color and will set your nose on fire if you don't let it breathe for a few minutes first. It is strong, bold, complex and can be downright rough on your senses. It is a rollercoaster that you don't expect with such a fire in the nose. My taste buds went on an adventure through campfire marshmallows, vanilla crème cookies, spiced, mulled cider and cold air that all left me dizzy with excitement. It was fascinating that one glass could produce so many variations and the hug it gave you back was beautiful and strong. It was a thing of beauty and definitely my favorite.
Now that coffee, damn! It was a thing of rich, velvety, oomph that I could not turn away from. When I sampled it with each bourbon on the flight, tasting the coffee then the bourbon I was fascinated with how it flipped the flavors pushing the softer notes back and bringing forth all the spice and punch of mocha that made me think I had a spiced mocha latte instead of a bourbon in my hand. It is something that I had never tried before but I will definitely do again. I enjoyed it so much that I bought the coffee to take home.
If you only have time to go to one or two distilleries when you are in Louisville, be sure to make Michter's one of those stops. It is small, easily accessible and completely worth the visit.
Where did they get those nifty flight glasses?