For all the changes in the whiskey world over the last decade—the resurgence of rye, skyrocketing bourbon prices, and establishment of American single malt to lineups—the toasted barrel finish has had the biggest impact. Debuted by Michter's in 2014 as US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish Bourbon, the style became an instant hit. Now, Michter's has unveiled the 2024 edition of the limited release bottling—the first since 2021.
For a whiskey to legally be called bourbon, it must be aged in new charred oak containers. A charred barrel is exposed to a quick burst of heat for somewhere around 25 to 60 seconds. Toasted barrels are used for finishing whiskey, which happens after the initial maturation process. A toasted barrel is exposed to heat for a prolonged period, think 10 minutes or so, unlocking more vanilla and caramel flavors.
The toasted barrel finish has been adapted by bourbon brands across the land, including Woodford Reserve, Yellowstone, Elijah Craig, and Basil Hayden. But Michter's remains the standard.
"Ten years ago, after a good deal of research and experimentation, we released the first toasted barrel whiskey: Michter's US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish Bourbon," says Michter's president Joseph J. Magliocco. "We had no idea it would be such a groundbreaking product."
For the Michter’s 2024 release, the brand starts with fully matured barrels of its US*1 Small Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon and transfers the whiskey to a second toasted barrel made of 18-month air-dried wood for additional aging.
“It’s a testament to our team that so many other great distillers have followed us in releasing toasted barrel finish whiskeys,” says Michter’s master of maturation Andrea Wilson. “There are many different toast profiles in which the barrel is heated to create beautiful flavor notes. This year’s Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish Bourbon reminds me of a fall evening where we are roasting campfire treats with graham crackers, marshmallows, caramel and butterscotch.”
The 2024 edition of Michter’s Toasted Barrel Finish Bourbon comes in at 91.4 proof and costs $110 MSRP.
Related: What to Expect From Basil Hayden Toast—a New Brown Rice-Based Bourbon
