Michter's 2025 Release Toasted Barrel Finish Sour Mash Bourbon

Michter’s 2025 Toasted Barrel Finish Kentucky Sour Mash is a thoughtful and elegant limited-release that marries the familiar house sour mash base with a second-barrel toast nuance. At 86 proof, it leans toward approachable but layered — a whiskey that invites slow sipping, rewarding the drinker with toasty wood, honeyed sweetness, and gentle smokiness without ever overpowering.

Origins & Craftsmanship

This release is part of Michter’s ongoing Toasted Barrel Finish series, and it marks one of the rarer expressions in their portfolio.

• The base whiskey is Michter’s US*1 Sour Mash, an expression distinct from bourbon or rye (thus “sour mash”). 

• After primary aging in new, charred American white oak barrels, the whiskey is then transferred into a second barrel made from 18-month air-dried staves that are toasted, not charred. 

• The toasting profile, carefully selected by Michter’s master maturing team, aims to amplify honey, citrus spice, and subtle smoke, integrating them into a more complex finishing layer. 

• This 2025 edition is the third time this Toasted Barrel Sour Mash has been released (the previous being in 2022).

• It is bottled at 43% ABV / 86 proof. 

• As a limited release, production quantity is constrained; Michter’s positions it as a premium, collectible offering. 

Tasting Profile

Nose:
Soft notes of toasted pine, mild oak, and delicate citrus zest, mingling with honeyed tones and hints of smoke.

Palate:
A surprisingly full mouthfeel for its proof. You’ll find unsweetened caramel, dry orchard fruit, and toasted wood layers, along with a subtle sour mash influence that gives a light fruit-yeast tang. 

Finish:
Long, balanced, and gently drying. The finish moves from warmth to a soft drying in the tail, with lingering notes of toasted bread, mild smoke, and sweet wood spice.

Food Pairings

Because of its balance and toast-driven nuance, this whiskey works well with smoked nuts, mild charcuterie, honey-glazed ham, or grilled pear with blue cheese. It would also complement rich desserts like crème brûlée or bread pudding (especially with toasted nuts).

Quick Overview