Michter's Rye Battle | Which Expression Reigns Supreme?

The Rye Trifecta: A Deep Dive into Michter’s Fort Nelson Experience! 🥃 Welcome back to another episode of Bourbon Trail Tales and Tastes! Today, we are heading to the heart of Louisville’s "Whiskey Row" to revisit a personal favorite: Michter’s Fort Nelson. As Distillery #15 and Stamp #13 on our Kentucky Bourbon Trail journey, this historic site is more than just a distillery—it’s a masterclass in whiskey maturation. In this episode, Wayne and Rebecca are breaking down three incredible (and hard-to-find) Michter’s Ryes. From the raw power of the Barrel Strength to the "sugar rush" of the Toasted Barrel Finish, and finishing with the elegance of the 10 Year Rye, we’re exploring why Michter’s is a must-stop for any whiskey enthusiast. We also share our tips for visiting the Fort Nelson bar, the "Bottle Your Own" experience (and why you need to get in line early!), and a shoutout to Master Distiller Dan McKee and Master of Maturation Andrea Wilson. Whiskeys Tasted in This Episode: * Michter’s US*1 Barrel Strength Rye (2022): The bold, spicy baseline at 112.4 proof. * Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish Rye (2023): Secondary maturation magic featuring campfire marshmallow and dark chocolate notes. * Michter’s 10 Year Kentucky Straight Rye (2024/2025): Sophisticated, herbal, and refined. Is it actually older than 10 years? ### **Connect With Us & Support The Journey!** 🥃 **Become a Patron & Get Exclusive Content:** https://www.patreon.com/cw/YourBourbonJourney 🌐 **Visit Our Website:** https://yourbourbonjourney.com/ 🔔 **SUBSCRIBE HERE:** https://www.youtube.com/@YourBourbonJourney?sub_confirmation=1 📸 **Instagram:** https://www.instagram.com/yourbourbonjourney/ 👍 **Facebook:** https://www.facebook.com/YourBourbonJourney 🎥 VIDEO CHAPTERS 0:00 – Introduction 0:16 – Welcome to Episode 57: Michter’s Fort Nelson 0:34 – Our Journey: Stamps, Tours, and Private Tastings 1:52 – The Fort Nelson Distillery Tour Experience 4:32– The Bar at Fort Nelson (Laser-printed Cocktails!) 5:10 – Tasting #1: Michter’s Barrel Strength Rye (2022) 7:41 – Tasting #2: Michter’s Toasted Barrel Finish Rye (2023) 11:48– Tasting #3: Michter’s 10 Year Straight Rye (2024/2025) 14:04 – The Science of Michter’s: Low Entry Proof & Heat Cycling 15:36 – Final Verdict: Which Rye Reigns Supreme? 17:33 – Closing Thoughts & Cheers to Dan McKee & Andrea Wilson ❌YOUR BOURBON JOURNEY DOES NOT SELL ALCOHOL❌ ✴️Michter’s US*1 Barrel Strength Rye (2022) Classification: Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey Distillery: Michter’s Distillery (Louisville, KY) Mash Bill: Undisclosed (Proprietary "Kentucky Style" rye; high corn and malted barley content) Age: NAS (Non-Age Stated, but generally understood to be 5–7 years) Proof: 112.4 Released: March 2022 Other: Low Entry Proof: Distillate enters the barrel at 103 proof, much lower than the industry standard (125 proof), which Michter's claims results in a richer mouthfeel. Purchased: 09/03/22 ✴️Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish Rye (2023) Classification: Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey Distillery: Michter’s Distillery (Louisville, KY) Mash Bill: Undisclosed Age: NAS (The base rye is typically 5–7 years old before the secondary finish) Proof: 108.6 Released: September 2023 Other: Finishing Process: After aging in charred new American oak, the whiskey is moved to a second barrel made of 24-month air-dried wood that has been toasted but not charred. Entry Proof: Like the others, this began its life at a low 103 entry proof, which helps maintain that "creamy" mouthfeel even after the second barreling. Purchased: 12/16/23 ✴️Michter’s 10 Year Kentucky Straight Rye (2024/2025) Classification: Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey Company: Michter’s Distillery Distillery: Undisclosed (Contract distilled to Michter’s specifications in Kentucky) Mash Bill: Undisclosed (Known as a "Kentucky Style" Rye, heavy on corn and malted barley) Age: 10 Years (Though widely rumored to be aged closer to 12–15 years) Proof: 92.8 Released: Mid-2024 Other: Barrel No. 24C1550: . Single Barrel: Unlike the Small Batch US*1 line, this is pulled from a single, exceptional barrel chosen by Master Distiller Dan McKee and Master of Maturation Andrea Wilson. Purchased: 02/22/25 🚨REMEMBER TO ALWAYS DRINK RESPONSIBLY🚨 ❓Questions❓ YourBourbonJourney@gmail.com NOTE: The spirit in this review was purchased by us. We were not compensated by the spirit producer for this review. This is simply our opinion based on what we tasted on this day. Please drink responsibly. #Michters #BourbonTrail #WhiskeyTasting #KentuckyBourbon #RyeWhiskey #FortNelson #Louisville #WhiskeyRow #MichtersRye #ToastedBarrel #BarrelStrength #WhiskeyReview #BourbonJourney #DanMcKee #AndreaWilson