Review #10: Mitcher’s US*1 Small Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon
- Kentucky Hug
- May 20, 2020
- 3 min read
Welcome to our Shelter in Bourbon series. You may not be able to go outside, but at least you don’t have to be socially distant from your bottles. Today’s selection is a great sipping bourbon for day 17 of quarantine. And who cares what day it is...because it is day 71 OF QUARANTINE.
Intro
This weeks’ bourbon was brought to us as a gift from a dear friend of ours. He hand delivered it to us as we stood on the sidewalk masks and all as we quickly chatted about the joys of solitude and the latest in mask fashion.
Since joining the #BourbonGram (follow us on Instagram @TheKentuckyHug) we’ve seen Mitcher’s featured quite a bit and it was definitely on our list to try so we’re glad this happy little incident led Mitcher’s to us!
The Backstory
Mitcher’s prides itself on its rich history dating all the way back to 1753 making it one of America’s first whiskey companies! But we’re not here to waste time talking about whiskey. We’re here to talk about the good stuff...bourbon!
The Mitcher’s we’ve come to know in its current form has changed names a few times throughout history; the original company was known as Shenk’s, later known as Bomberger’s. Fun fact, the original rye whiskey was so popular that when the Revolutionary War broke out General George Washington visited the distillery in Pennsylvania and bought loads of whiskey to share with his troops back in Valley Forge. 'Murica!
During Prohibition, Bombergers had to close and found itself in deep financial trouble. It was purchased by Lou Forman in the 1950’s who then changed the name to Mitcher’s in honor of his two sons Michael and Peter; a new brand was born. However, in 1989 Mitcher’s found itself yet again in financial trouble and declared bankruptcy. Closing its doors in Pennsylvania. So the brand was snatched up by a man named Joe Magliocco. His first major move? To move the brand to Louisville, Kentucky, where it would have access to top-tier talent in the bourbon and whiskey world.
The distilling process for Mitcher’s US*1 Bourbon is exclusively small batch. Each run produces roughly 20 barrels which leaves no margin for error, no way to “blend out” any imperfections. Our bottle is from Batch No. 20C325 and boasts a healthy 91.4 proof (45.7% ABV). This is quite possibly the most exacting label yet.
Tasting Notes
According to Mitcher’s: Mitcher’s US*1 Small Batch Bourbon is nuanced, mellow, and
earthy. Each barrel is fire-charred and made of American white oak. Tastes of rich caramel with balanced vanilla, stone fruit notes, smoky depth, with an oak finish.
According to Him: Very smooth on the palate, with a bit of spice on the back of your mouth. It has a warmth that lingers for a while right in the back of your mouth. It's relatively sweet and you can definitely sense the fruit in the mix. After the third or fourth sip, it feels a little thicker, almost inviting you to lean back a little further in your chair. By the fifth or sixth sip, I get little hints of the char. This one fits nicely into the sipping bourbon spectrum.
According to Her: Smells of vanilla, a touch of cherry and some light oak. This is a very smooth bourbon with not too much heat at first but heat definitely builds after you put your glass down! In addition to the heat that is the “Kentucky hug” building I am tasting vanilla spice, almond, and cherry. It is a very nice batch of bourbon. By the third slow sip I got a hint of the fire-charred oak barrels Mitcher’s promised. Wow! Delicious.
The Rating
This and an incredible bourbon at a mid-shelf price tag. We definitely recommend giving it a try.
3.25 out of 5 glasses: We’ll be keeping this bottle on the middle shelf where it will be kept in good company with its friends: Buffalo Trace, Makers Mark, Basil Hayden, Old Bardstown, Four Roses small batch.
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