The Tasting Panel magazine

September 2017

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104  /  the tasting panel  /  september 2017 CATEGORY REPORT A Resurrected Spirit: Michter's US*1 Single Barrel Straight Rye Whiskey Whiskey has had its ups and downs in this country, with countless whiskey companies flourishing only to eventually shutter. In the 1990s, Joseph Magliocco and Richard "Dick" Newman decided to bring one of the long-lost distillery brands back from the dead: Michter's original iteration Shenk's, founded in Schaefferstown, Pennsylvania in 1753. Honoring the long tradition of this spirit, Michter's US*1 Single Barrel Straight Rye Whiskey (SRP $50) uses premium American rye grain and rests in fire-charred American white oak barrels until it's deemed ready for release after years in special heat-cycled rickhouses. Every bottle hails from a single barrel and is chill-filtered at a temperature approaching 20 degrees Fahrenheit. "Our Michter's Single Barrel Rye is a Kentucky/traditional style rye," says Pamela Heilmann, Master Distiller for Michter's. "In addition to the rye, there is corn and malt in the recipe which adds balance and a little sweetness to the spiciness of the rye. The Michter's house style, which includes rich, bold and intense flavors, shines through in a cocktail." Confirming this point, John Holzinger, Whiskey Specialist for Michter's Distillery, explains, "Modern mix- ologists who are interested in the authenticity and quality of their drinks often reach for Michter's to be able to offer a rye cocktail that tastes like the original did pre-Prohibition. The barrel entry proof of 103, rather than the industry standard of 125, allows classic cocktails to be less watered down after shaking or stirring." Michter's has become a window—rather, a glass—into the past. Tasting Notes The sweet coconut-caramel nose sways you in, that brass-rail aroma that wins you over at first sniff. And on the palate, a gentle soaking of the tongue from this 84.8-proof spirit is like having a cinnamon-covered butterscotch candy melt that reveals a red pepper core. The heat quickly lifts and the notes of summer peach and nectar of apricot are there hiding in the background, only to appear with each revered sip. 99 —Meridith May MICHTER'S DISTILLERY Finds SPIRITS WITH HUES AND FLAVOR PROFILES PERFECT FOR THE CHANGING SEASONS by Emily Coleman W e can expect fall cocktail menus to make their own transformations during the transition from summer to fall, with many mimicking the changing leaves through cocktails utilizing brown spirits as their base. To help in the development of these lists, we selected several brands that will elevate your program to the next level this autumn. Fall Awakening by John Holzinger, Whiskey Specialist for Michter's Distillery ◗ 1½ oz. Michter's US*1 Single Barrel Straight Rye Whiskey ◗ ¾ oz. fresh lemon juice ◗ ½ oz. brown sugar cinnamon syrup ◗ ½ oz. apple brandy ◗ 4 dashes chocolate bitters

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