Michters...

[agoldf]

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/videos/2015-04-10/why-is-u-s-whiskey-so-popular-right-now-

[fozzy71]

I finished a bottle of their small batch recently and enjoyed it very much.

[squire]

I've never tasted any of Michter's products.

I have, a helluva lot of it back when it really was Michter's. As for this current stuff I'll wait until the people who own the brand are actually making the whisky they're selling.

[deathevocation]

I have, a helluva lot of it back when it really was Michter's. As for this current stuff I'll wait until the people who own the brand are actually making the whisky they're selling.

[camduncan]

This just landed in Australia - there's 4 variations, all retailing for AU $120 (approx. US $88) per bottle. Interestingly it's not being stocked by our largest nationwide retailer, they're allowing online orders only and the orders seem to be directed back to the importer to supply.

The four variations we are getting are US 1 Straight Rye, US 1 Bourbon, US 1 Sour Mash Whiskey and US 1 Unblended American Whiskey. Having never really paid much attention to these, I'll be doing some online research this week to determine what to try first

[fozzy71]

Ouch at those prices but IIRC cost of living and wages are higher there. I believe I paid $40 for my bourbon I recently finished.

[squire]

Where's it made?

[squire]

Ouch indeed, and I thought our US prices were too high.

Edited April 14, 2015 by squire

[HOF44]

I have the Michters 10 year old Bourbon, not a fan.

[flahute]

Some of the people involved in the original Bombergers brand, including Dick Stoll, are trying to revive the distillery in Pennsylvania and have a sourced product (that they are very honest about) called Bomberger's that the current Michter's is trying to have shut down. Another reason to hate Michter's.

[squire]

I'm pulling for Dick & crew. The current Michters bunch are as bogus as Whistle Pig.

[ethangsmith]

Even being "The Michter's Guy" that I am, I am not a fan of the current Michter's company or their products. The Sour Mash is decent, but not for the price. Too expensive for mystery whiskey.

[deathevocation]

They won't say so take your pick. While it's true a farmer in Pennsylvania started a distilling operation in 1753 that eventually became a large plant that produced a brand called Michter's when new owners took over in the 1970s, all that has no connection to the present company.

The new outfit is a young company that appropriated the Michters name which was up for grabs after the bankruptcy/closure of the old Bomberger/Pennco/Michters distillery. All the whisky bottled by this new bunch is sourced because they have yet to produce any themselves.

Some likely sources come to mind. When LDI was sold to MGP some stocks of aged whisky (Bourbon and Rye) were sold on the open market as well so it's logical to accept Michters bought some. Heaven Hill is another candidate who has a long history of selling bulk whisky. Whisky aged in used casks was probably made by LDI who aged some of their blending whisky that way.

Blending together whisky from different sources does allow the bottlers to claim they have created something different but blending alone doesn't elevate the product to a premium status. Mixing ordinary whisky with other ordinary whisky just begats more of the same.

Thanks for the response. Agree. It's about $95 a bottle near me. Had some of the Rye in an OF the other night at a bar, was nice but not $95 nice. Guarantee it s fooling folk around here.

[amg]

Whisky aged in used casks was probably made by LDI who aged some of their blending whisky that way.

Could also be Brown-Forman since they age some of the whiskey in Early Times in used casks.

[squire]

I thought about that Andrew but LDI/MGP seems the more likely candidate. What's sure is Michters didn't make it.

[unclebunk]

This just landed in Australia - there's 4 variations, all retailing for AU $120 (approx. US $88) per bottle. Interestingly it's not being stocked by our largest nationwide retailer, they're allowing online orders only and the orders seem to be directed back to the importer to supply.

The four variations we are getting are US 1 Straight Rye, US 1 Bourbon, US 1 Sour Mash Whiskey and US 1 Unblended American Whiskey. Having never really paid much attention to these, I'll be doing some online research this week to determine what to try first

I can't add anything to the conversation regarding where their whiskey is sourced from but I've purchased all of the Michter products at one time or another and enjoyed them all. My wife and I frequently had small pours of the American Unblended as nightstand drinks while reading in bed this winter and it makes a nice post-dinner sipper too, light and easy. I've also got a few bottles of the Michter's 10 Year Old Straight Rye Whiskey (one open, two bunkered) purchased back in 2008 for around $40 which proved to be excellent value, particularly now that the price has more than doubled. When you get the chance, check them out. You won't be blown away by any of these bottles but will likely find them to be solid and enjoyable. Cheers!

[jfw]

I have one remaining bottle of Michters 101 from the late 80s. I'm saving it for my impending retirement. They made great whiskey back in the day and miss them. It's my first distillery tour and my first really good whisky.