Table Of Contents

The Details

Rating 94
Style
American Whiskey
Whiskey
Produced In Kentucky
United States
ABV 47.2%
Availability Limited
Price $185.00 
Reviewed By
Review Updated 2024-05-08

Michter's 10 Year Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon (2024) Review

Michter’s fans have enjoyed quite the bounty since mid-2023, with a number of limited releases announced and then hitting shelves. The brand never guarantees any specific age stated releases, sometimes choosing to hold them back if certain quality standards are not met. Many bourbon fans, one can be sure, breathed a collective sigh of relief when Michter’s announced its popular 10 year bourbon would indeed make an appearance in 2024.

Though ultra-coveted bottles like Michter’s 25 Bourbon might not find their way to many consumers, the 10 year versions are more accessible (though can still require a bit of hunting). The brand doesn’t release specific bottle counts, but the 10 year bourbon is generally found nationwide (and in certain international markets) in limited quantities.

Also of note: many Michter’s 10 releases are in fact well over their 10 year age statements, with some releases ticking above 15 years. (Michter’s didn’t release a specific age range for its 2024 bourbon.) And while the brand has been distilling at their own Kentucky distillery since the mid-2010s, it’s presumed the 10 year expressions are still sourced whiskey made to Michter’s specifications and aged in proprietary warehouses.

As with all contemporary Michter’s 10 expressions, this year’s bourbon is a single barrel product. While Michter’s is famous for consistency from one barrel to the next, there’s likely to be at least some variation within a given release. It’s one more thing to keep in mind when assessing these limited release bottlings.

Let’s dive in and see how the 2024 Michter’s 10 Bourbon tastes!

Michter's 10 Year Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon (2024) review.

Michter's 10 Year Old 2024 Bourbon: Stats and Availability

Michter’s 10 Year Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey carries a suggested retail price of $185. The brand’s highly regarded reputation — along with the limited nature of these releases — often push retail and secondary prices a bit higher. However, I’ve seen a slight contraction of some high-end bourbon prices in recent months as stores look to clear inventory that’s lingered on shelves. You’ll still sometimes see Michter’s 10 Year Bourbon or Rye with $50+ markups in some regions, but with a little luck, this bottle is still very much findable for around or under $200.

Michter's 10 Year Old Review

As with all of VinePair’s whiskey reviews, this was tasted in a Glencairn glass and rested for at least five minutes.

Nose

I often anticipate Michter’s 10 year (and older) releases to kick off with a hefty dose of oak scents. And let’s be clear: Oak here is early, prominent, and pronounced throughout the nosing experience. (More on that in just a bit.)

What strikes me early, though, is how well that oak is paired with a variety of sweet, fruit-laden notes: bananas foster, dark medicinal cherry, and stewed peach. The cherry especially leads earlier than I recall from other Michter’s 10 bourbons in recent years. It also provides a touch of tartness to counteract the oak early on, such that the whiskey seems to develop and settle into its ultimate form quicker in the glass.

Vegetal and herbal aromas fold in a little later, likely stemming from the rye in the mash bill (which, to be clear, is undisclosed). Cinnamon-forward spice and more traditional oak influence — leather more than tobacco — bring up the rear on the nose.

This year’s release is not quite the punchiest, deepest nose for a Michter’s 10 bourbon. But it still comes out of the gate swinging, clearly hitting most of the scent categories that build toward truly great bourbon — all while conveying a bouquet that’s characteristically Michter’s.

Taste

Fruit danced well with oak early on the nose, but at first sip, the palate is more tannic. A wonderfully charred leathery flavor kicks things off, then we move to fresh drip coffee, very dark chocolate, and heavily spiced gingerbread.

At the very moment I find myself searching for sweeter notes, they appear, though not early and on the tip of the tongue as is typically for many bourbons. Sweetness builds starting at the midpalate, those dark chocolate elements transitioning to milky, and the gingerbread spice gaining a welcome layer of frosting. (A mouthfeel above and beyond most other 94-ish proof whiskey only bolsters that creaminess.) The baking and rye spice also evolves, as if heavy flecks of cinnamon and allspice dissolved gradually across the tongue.

Pops of fruit layer shortly thereafter, more in the realm of banana and jackfruit; I’m not picking up nearly as much cherry as on the nose. The back of the palate brings rhubarb-forward tartness that still conveys barrel influence., completing an arc on the palate from heavily oaky to sweet and then back.

Another quick note: After the third or fourth sip, a subtle-yet-unmistakable smokiness develops, similar to a lightly peated whiskey. It never rises to the level of a dominant note, but I found it interesting and a bit fun (if offbeat!) nonetheless.

Finish

With this particular barrel at least, the palate bounced around considerably; it’s a great combination of flavors, but the 2024 Michter’s 10 Bourbon certainly keeps drinkers on their toes. The finish is more predictable, if just slightly less exciting. It’s lengthy and heavy on wood sugars, the light coffee bitterness almost fully subsiding by the time bourbon makes it to the throat. It’s not perfect score territory, but this latest Michter’s 10 does stick its landing.

Michter's 10 Year Old Rating

94/100

Recap

This year’s Michter’s 10 Bourbon does what the expression is famous for: bold, complex bourbon flavor at a proof point that accentuates without intimidating. It remains one of the bourbon calendar’s most anticipated releases, and for good reason. As a single barrel product, it will always exhibit some slight variation from one bottle (or barrel) to the next. But it’s perhaps more consistent than any comparable product out there. And for me, this particular edition gets a thumbs up.

Related Reads

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94
POINTS
Michter's 10 Year Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon (2024)
Michter’s fans have enjoyed quite the bounty since mid-2023, with a number of limited releases announced and then hitting shelves. The brand never guarantees any specific age stated releases, sometimes choosing to hold them back if certain quality standards are not met. Many bourbon fans, one can be sure, breathed a collective sigh of relief when Michter’s announced its popular 10 year bourbon would indeed make an appearance in 2024. Though ultra-coveted bottles like Michter’s 25 Bourbon might not find their way to many consumers, the 10 year versions are more accessible (though can still require a bit of hunting). The brand doesn’t release specific bottle counts, but the 10 year bourbon is generally found nationwide (and in certain international markets) in limited quantities. Also of note: many Michter’s 10 releases are in fact well over their 10 year age statements, with some releases ticking above 15 years. (Michter’s didn’t release a specific age range for its 2024 bourbon.) And while the brand has been distilling at their own Kentucky distillery since the mid-2010s, it’s presumed the 10 year expressions are still sourced whiskey made to Michter’s specifications and aged in proprietary warehouses. As with all contemporary Michter’s 10 expressions, this year’s bourbon is a single barrel product. While Michter’s is famous for consistency from one barrel to the next, there’s likely to be at least some variation within a given release. It’s one more thing to keep in mind when assessing these limited release bottlings. Let’s dive in and see how the 2024 Michter’s 10 Bourbon tastes! Michter's 10 Year Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon (2024) review.

Michter's 10 Year Old 2024 Bourbon: Stats and Availability

Michter’s 10 Year Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey carries a suggested retail price of $185. The brand’s highly regarded reputation — along with the limited nature of these releases — often push retail and secondary prices a bit higher. However, I’ve seen a slight contraction of some high-end bourbon prices in recent months as stores look to clear inventory that’s lingered on shelves. You’ll still sometimes see Michter’s 10 Year Bourbon or Rye with $50+ markups in some regions, but with a little luck, this bottle is still very much findable for around or under $200.

Michter's 10 Year Old Review

As with all of VinePair’s whiskey reviews, this was tasted in a Glencairn glass and rested for at least five minutes.

Nose

I often anticipate Michter’s 10 year (and older) releases to kick off with a hefty dose of oak scents. And let’s be clear: Oak here is early, prominent, and pronounced throughout the nosing experience. (More on that in just a bit.) What strikes me early, though, is how well that oak is paired with a variety of sweet, fruit-laden notes: bananas foster, dark medicinal cherry, and stewed peach. The cherry especially leads earlier than I recall from other Michter’s 10 bourbons in recent years. It also provides a touch of tartness to counteract the oak early on, such that the whiskey seems to develop and settle into its ultimate form quicker in the glass. Vegetal and herbal aromas fold in a little later, likely stemming from the rye in the mash bill (which, to be clear, is undisclosed). Cinnamon-forward spice and more traditional oak influence — leather more than tobacco — bring up the rear on the nose. This year’s release is not quite the punchiest, deepest nose for a Michter’s 10 bourbon. But it still comes out of the gate swinging, clearly hitting most of the scent categories that build toward truly great bourbon — all while conveying a bouquet that’s characteristically Michter’s.

Taste

Fruit danced well with oak early on the nose, but at first sip, the palate is more tannic. A wonderfully charred leathery flavor kicks things off, then we move to fresh drip coffee, very dark chocolate, and heavily spiced gingerbread. At the very moment I find myself searching for sweeter notes, they appear, though not early and on the tip of the tongue as is typically for many bourbons. Sweetness builds starting at the midpalate, those dark chocolate elements transitioning to milky, and the gingerbread spice gaining a welcome layer of frosting. (A mouthfeel above and beyond most other 94-ish proof whiskey only bolsters that creaminess.) The baking and rye spice also evolves, as if heavy flecks of cinnamon and allspice dissolved gradually across the tongue. Pops of fruit layer shortly thereafter, more in the realm of banana and jackfruit; I’m not picking up nearly as much cherry as on the nose. The back of the palate brings rhubarb-forward tartness that still conveys barrel influence., completing an arc on the palate from heavily oaky to sweet and then back. Another quick note: After the third or fourth sip, a subtle-yet-unmistakable smokiness develops, similar to a lightly peated whiskey. It never rises to the level of a dominant note, but I found it interesting and a bit fun (if offbeat!) nonetheless.

Finish

With this particular barrel at least, the palate bounced around considerably; it’s a great combination of flavors, but the 2024 Michter’s 10 Bourbon certainly keeps drinkers on their toes. The finish is more predictable, if just slightly less exciting. It’s lengthy and heavy on wood sugars, the light coffee bitterness almost fully subsiding by the time bourbon makes it to the throat. It’s not perfect score territory, but this latest Michter’s 10 does stick its landing.

Michter's 10 Year Old Rating

94/100

Recap

This year’s Michter’s 10 Bourbon does what the expression is famous for: bold, complex bourbon flavor at a proof point that accentuates without intimidating. It remains one of the bourbon calendar’s most anticipated releases, and for good reason. As a single barrel product, it will always exhibit some slight variation from one bottle (or barrel) to the next. But it’s perhaps more consistent than any comparable product out there. And for me, this particular edition gets a thumbs up.

Reviewed On: 05-09-2024
94
POINTS
Michter's 10 Year Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon (2024)
Michter’s fans have enjoyed quite the bounty since mid-2023, with a number of limited releases announced and then hitting shelves. The brand never guarantees any specific age stated releases, sometimes choosing to hold them back if certain quality standards are not met. Many bourbon fans, one can be sure, breathed a collective sigh of relief when Michter’s announced its popular 10 year bourbon would indeed make an appearance in 2024. Though ultra-coveted bottles like Michter’s 25 Bourbon might not find their way to many consumers, the 10 year versions are more accessible (though can still require a bit of hunting). The brand doesn’t release specific bottle counts, but the 10 year bourbon is generally found nationwide (and in certain international markets) in limited quantities. Also of note: many Michter’s 10 releases are in fact well over their 10 year age statements, with some releases ticking above 15 years. (Michter’s didn’t release a specific age range for its 2024 bourbon.) And while the brand has been distilling at their own Kentucky distillery since the mid-2010s, it’s presumed the 10 year expressions are still sourced whiskey made to Michter’s specifications and aged in proprietary warehouses. As with all contemporary Michter’s 10 expressions, this year’s bourbon is a single barrel product. While Michter’s is famous for consistency from one barrel to the next, there’s likely to be at least some variation within a given release. It’s one more thing to keep in mind when assessing these limited release bottlings. Let’s dive in and see how the 2024 Michter’s 10 Bourbon tastes! Michter's 10 Year Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon (2024) review.

Michter's 10 Year Old 2024 Bourbon: Stats and Availability

Michter’s 10 Year Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey carries a suggested retail price of $185. The brand’s highly regarded reputation — along with the limited nature of these releases — often push retail and secondary prices a bit higher. However, I’ve seen a slight contraction of some high-end bourbon prices in recent months as stores look to clear inventory that’s lingered on shelves. You’ll still sometimes see Michter’s 10 Year Bourbon or Rye with $50+ markups in some regions, but with a little luck, this bottle is still very much findable for around or under $200.

Michter's 10 Year Old Review

As with all of VinePair’s whiskey reviews, this was tasted in a Glencairn glass and rested for at least five minutes.

Nose

I often anticipate Michter’s 10 year (and older) releases to kick off with a hefty dose of oak scents. And let’s be clear: Oak here is early, prominent, and pronounced throughout the nosing experience. (More on that in just a bit.) What strikes me early, though, is how well that oak is paired with a variety of sweet, fruit-laden notes: bananas foster, dark medicinal cherry, and stewed peach. The cherry especially leads earlier than I recall from other Michter’s 10 bourbons in recent years. It also provides a touch of tartness to counteract the oak early on, such that the whiskey seems to develop and settle into its ultimate form quicker in the glass. Vegetal and herbal aromas fold in a little later, likely stemming from the rye in the mash bill (which, to be clear, is undisclosed). Cinnamon-forward spice and more traditional oak influence — leather more than tobacco — bring up the rear on the nose. This year’s release is not quite the punchiest, deepest nose for a Michter’s 10 bourbon. But it still comes out of the gate swinging, clearly hitting most of the scent categories that build toward truly great bourbon — all while conveying a bouquet that’s characteristically Michter’s.

Taste

Fruit danced well with oak early on the nose, but at first sip, the palate is more tannic. A wonderfully charred leathery flavor kicks things off, then we move to fresh drip coffee, very dark chocolate, and heavily spiced gingerbread. At the very moment I find myself searching for sweeter notes, they appear, though not early and on the tip of the tongue as is typically for many bourbons. Sweetness builds starting at the midpalate, those dark chocolate elements transitioning to milky, and the gingerbread spice gaining a welcome layer of frosting. (A mouthfeel above and beyond most other 94-ish proof whiskey only bolsters that creaminess.) The baking and rye spice also evolves, as if heavy flecks of cinnamon and allspice dissolved gradually across the tongue. Pops of fruit layer shortly thereafter, more in the realm of banana and jackfruit; I’m not picking up nearly as much cherry as on the nose. The back of the palate brings rhubarb-forward tartness that still conveys barrel influence., completing an arc on the palate from heavily oaky to sweet and then back. Another quick note: After the third or fourth sip, a subtle-yet-unmistakable smokiness develops, similar to a lightly peated whiskey. It never rises to the level of a dominant note, but I found it interesting and a bit fun (if offbeat!) nonetheless.

Finish

With this particular barrel at least, the palate bounced around considerably; it’s a great combination of flavors, but the 2024 Michter’s 10 Bourbon certainly keeps drinkers on their toes. The finish is more predictable, if just slightly less exciting. It’s lengthy and heavy on wood sugars, the light coffee bitterness almost fully subsiding by the time bourbon makes it to the throat. It’s not perfect score territory, but this latest Michter’s 10 does stick its landing.

Michter's 10 Year Old Rating

94/100

Recap

This year’s Michter’s 10 Bourbon does what the expression is famous for: bold, complex bourbon flavor at a proof point that accentuates without intimidating. It remains one of the bourbon calendar’s most anticipated releases, and for good reason. As a single barrel product, it will always exhibit some slight variation from one bottle (or barrel) to the next. But it’s perhaps more consistent than any comparable product out there. And for me, this particular edition gets a thumbs up.

Reviewed On: 05-09-2024