Attention Michter's Fans....

[furious]

This is a great idea and I will look into possibly attending as I live in Annapolis, MD. Michters is a great whiskey and I remember it fondly as a regular staple in my father's liquor cabinet.

[ethangsmith]

What's going to work best for everyone for the get-together and tour- morning or early afternoon???

[SMOWK]

What's going to work best for everyone for the get-together and tour- morning or early afternoon???

I would much rather do it early afternoon. I'm not much of an early person, and my girl and I might end up at a bar until quite late Saturday night...

[ethangsmith]

Ok, I've heard back from several people and the afternoon looks like it's going to be optimal. Also, it's going to be warmer. I'm thinking a 1PM tour time. Any thoughts?

[Stormking]

I am too close to not hop on this opportunity. You can count me in and I will be looking forward to seeing a bit of PA pride and history. 1 in the afternoon seems fine to me but I am open to any time.

[SMOWK]

1PM sounds great. I plan on having a bottle or two with me. Anyone up for any trades?

[ethangsmith]

Good news. To accommodate everyone's needs due to travel times, we will be doing 2 tours. At this point, the tour times will be 10am and 1pm. We are going to try to at least get heat in the still house so if people want to stick around and talk there will be a warm place to do it.

[ethangsmith]

Also, I've recently come into a few large collections of Michter's decanters that are full. I am going to be selling my empties. I'm not sure which ones I will have yet. Would anyone be interested in me bringing them down on the 14th? They will be priced very reasonably!

[SMOWK]

Also, I've recently come into a few large collections of Michter's decanters that are full. I am going to be selling my empties. I'm not sure which ones I will have yet. Would anyone be interested in me bringing them down on the 14th? They will be priced very reasonably!

I am highly interested! As are others I would imagine.

Any full ones for sale?

[ethangsmith]

I'm not sure if I will have any full ones for sale. I will warn you, if I do have full ones, I would not buy it based on the fact that you intend on popping it open and drinking it. MOST of the Michter's decanters will have spoiled whiskey in them. I had a few with damaged corks out of the first collection I acquired and had to pour most of it away since it was so oxidized and nasty. I only got 2 good quarts out of 7. So if I bring full ones, please just buy them for their value of not being opened and not for what is inside- because it could be some gross stuff! Tomorrow I am having 34 more Michter's decanters dropped off at my house so I'll have to go through them and see what all I end up with.

[loose proton]

...MOST of the Michter's decanters will have spoiled whiskey in them. I had a few with damaged corks out of the first collection ...

which brings this up again, if you consider long term storage of cork top bottles. By long term, I mean more than ten years for unopened bottle and a year or three for opened bottle.

http://www.straightbourbon.com/forums/showthread.php?t=13041

[ethangsmith]

Agreed, which is why I posted my little disclaimer since really no one did this back in the day so finding good whiskey in a Michter's decanter is a REAL find! When I do start pouring and get a reasonably clear batch, I strain it through a paper towel to remove cork bits and any other nasties.

[SMOWK]

Here's to hoping a blizzard doesn't ruin things.

Cheers!

[ethangsmith]

WE JUST HAD ONE.

Some friends of mine, my wife and I went up and shoveled out the distillery and later this week we are going to plow it out with a loader so there will be ample parking. At this point it's looking like the weather will be cold (15 degrees in the morning and) and only reach about 30 degrees so bundle up!

[SMOWK]

WE JUST HAD ONE.

Some friends of mine, my wife and I went up and shoveled out the distillery and later this week we are going to plow it out with a loader so there will be ample parking. At this point it's looking like the weather will be cold (15 degrees in the morning and) and only reach about 30 degrees so bundle up!

[ethangsmith]

Attention Michter's fans that will be attending-

We have just been hit with 2 massive record-breaking snow storms and now have about 30" of snow on the ground. We are doing our best to remove snow from walks and creating an area for parking. A broken snow plow is also hindering our efforts now. So when Sunday arrives, please bear with us as we are trying to get as much cleared off as we can for all of you! Just be prepared for there to be substantial snow around the area.

[ethangsmith]

Just spoke with the owner and he said his plow will not be able to be repaired in time, the heater is broken and there are 8 FOOT snow drifts around the distillery and the township can't get the road open. The event for the 14th is CANCELLED. Please be sure to cancel any hotel reservations. We are going to try again later this spring.

I apologize for the inconvenience this causes, but it is not safe for us to have it. The snow load on the buildings is unsafe as well.

Thanks for your support,

Ethan.

[ethangsmith]

A lot of people have been contacting me recently asking when the tours will be. My answer at this point is "I'm not sure." The owner is in the hospital for major surgery and will not be back home until late April. At that time, we will start planning when the tours will be. The owner's son has been taking care of the place since the owner is in the hospital and he is doing some work on the interiors of the buildings to make them a little safer and cleaner for tours. STAY TUNED FOR MORE INFO IN MID TO LATE APRIL!!!

[SMOWK]

Thanks for the update! I shall eagerly anticipate attending.

[ethangsmith]

The owner of Michter's Distillery was in the hospital longer than anticipated but is now at home resting. He will have a few weeks of recuperation, but as soon as he is able, we will start planning the Michter's tours! It's a good thing we didn't do the tours back on Valentine's Day. Our fears of a roof collapse turned out to be true. The 4 feet of snow proved too much for Warehouse D's roof and it fell in the weekend the tours were planned! Stay tuned for more updates!

[SMOWK]

Thanks for the update. I was just telling a good friend of mine yesterday how I was hoping that this tour would continue in the near future.

[Madhatter57]

This would make a great Father's Day outing!

[ethangsmith]

Guys and gals, I have bad news. Due to the snow storm damage to the buildings, the owner's insurance agent said he would not allow tours due to liability. The snow did significant structural damage to several buildings and they are now unsafe to be inside or near. There is also now renewed pressure from the local government to have the site torn down because more has collapsed. I am VERY sorry about this, but our hands are tied right now. If anything changes, I will let you all know but at this time, tours can't be done safely.

[B1bomber]

Thanks for the update, Ethan. What a bummer, I was very much hoping to attend.

Any chance attendees could sign a waiver upon arriving, waiving all rights should any accident harm occur? Just thinkin' aloud.

[ethangsmith]

I've had a few questions about signing waivers. I'll have to have some discussion with the owner and see where he stands. He hasn't been down to the distillery much yet since his surgery but from what he has seen, he doesn't feel confident with interior tours at this point. 36" of snow sitting on old leaky rotted roofs did some serious damage to some of the buildings. Others will have to be checked thoroughly for damage. I'll keep posting on here as I know more info.

To change the tone of this thread a little and make it more positive, do any of you have Michter's stuff (decanters, paperwork, barware, etc.) in your collections???