Experience a rare liquid whisper of American whiskey history with Michter's Original Sour Mash Whiskey 1988. Distilled and bottled in its ancestral Pennsylvania home, this exceptional bourbon offers a complex tapestry of aged oak, dark fruits, and refined spice. A true connoisseur's delight, offering a taste of a bygone era and a masterclass in sour mash craftsmanship.

Tasting Notes

Nose: A captivating and complex nose, immediately revealing layers of well-matured wood and dark fruit. Initial sniffs are met with rich oak, polished antique furniture, and a surprising hint of dried fig and date. As it opens, nuanced notes of butterscotch, vanilla bean, and a subtle, almost savory, herbal quality emerge, perhaps sage or dried tobacco leaf. A touch of toasted almond and a faint whisper of old leather round out a truly enchanting aromatic journey, hinting at its sour mash ancestry with a barely perceptible, pleasant tang.

Palate: The palate is remarkably full-bodied and impeccably balanced, showcasing a beautiful interplay between sweet and savory, and spice and wood. The rye spiciness, characteristic of a pre-prohibition style sour mash, is present but refined, offering notes of black pepper, cinnamon stick, and a gentle clove. This is seamlessly interwoven with a deep sweetness of dark caramel, molasses, dark chocolate, and a juicy plum or cherry note. The oak is profound but integrated, delivering a pleasant drying sensation and flavors of charred cedar, roasted nuts, and a delicate earthiness. A subtle brininess or minerality adds another dimension, a whisper of its Pennsylvania limestone heritage.

Finish: The finish is exceptionally long, warm, and lingering, a true testament to its age and craftsmanship. It slowly fades with echoes of dark fruit, aged oak, and a sustained, pleasant warmth that spreads through the chest. Notes of pipe tobacco, leather, and a final, sweet vanilla-laden spice persist, inviting reflection and another sip. It leaves a delicate, almost ethereal, note of old-school bourbon elegance.

About the Distillery

Michter's, with roots tracing back to 1753 in Schaefferstown, Lebanon County, Pennsylvania, holds a storied place in American whiskey history. Originally known as Shenk's, it was later renamed Michter's, a portmanteau of Michter's children's names. This distillery, with its claims of being America's first whiskey company, produced a distinctive sour mash whiskey for centuries before its Pennsylvania operations ceased in 1990. The 1988 bottling represents a rare glimpse into the original Pennsylvania-distilled Michter's legacy, predating its modern Kentucky revival.