Michter's Sour Mash Whiskey

Michter's US*1 Sour Mash Whiskey. Michter's Fort Nelson Distillery, Louisville, Kentucky — named "Whisky of the Year 2019" by The Whisky Exchange, the first American whiskey ever to receive that honor, made from a special selection of grains distilled using the traditional sour mash process, aged in new American white oak barrels, filtered to Michter's exacting standards, and bottled at 43% ABV — the most critically decorated expression in the Michter's core lineup.

The Whisky Exchange Whisky of the Year award is one of the most respected designations in the global spirits industry, selected by one of the world's largest and most knowledgeable independent spirits retailers. In 2019, Michter's US*1 Sour Mash became the first American-made whiskey in the award's history to take the top designation — a watershed moment for both Michter's and American whiskey's global standing.

The sour mash designation refers to Michter's production method: a portion of the previous batch's spent grain ("backset" or "setback") is added to each new fermentation, controlling pH, ensuring yeast health, and creating a specific flavor continuity between batches that fresh grain fermentation alone cannot produce. Unlike the Michter's American Whiskey (which uses used barrels) or the Bourbon (which emphasizes new oak extraction), the Sour Mash is aged in new American white oak and emphasizes the grain-plus-wood combination at 43% ABV — the most balanced proof point in the core range.

Tasting Notes

• Nose: Caramel, vanilla, and warm grain sweetness — the sour mash process's characteristic continuity of flavor evident in the aromatic profile.
• Palate: Well-balanced and smooth — the new American white oak's caramel and vanilla alongside the grain character. More structured than the American Whiskey; more accessible than the full heat-cycled Bourbon intensity.
• Finish: Long and clean — wood spice and sweetness in a finish that earned the highest designation in global whisky retail.

Specs

• Distillery: Michter's Fort Nelson Distillery, Louisville, Kentucky
• Style: Sour Mash Whiskey
• Cask: New American white oak
• ABV: 43% (86 proof)
• Award: The Whisky Exchange Whisky of the Year 2019 — first American whiskey ever
• Size: 750ml

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Frequently Asked Questions

• What does "Whisky of the Year 2019" by The Whisky Exchange mean? The Whisky Exchange is one of the world's largest independent spirits retailers, headquartered in London. Their annual Whisky of the Year designation is selected from their full global range of spirits — including all Scotch, Japanese, Irish, and American whiskies. Michter's US*1 Sour Mash was the first American whiskey in the award's history to be selected.
• What is the sour mash process? Sour mash adds a portion of the previous batch's spent grain (backset) to each new fermentation, acidifying the mash and ensuring consistent yeast performance and flavor continuity batch to batch. It is not a flavor characteristic — it is a production method foundational to Kentucky bourbon and rye production, used here specifically to create the Michter's Sour Mash expression.
• How does the Sour Mash differ from the US*1 Bourbon? Both use new American white oak. The Sour Mash is bottled at 43% ABV (vs the Bourbon's 45.7%) and emphasizes a softer, more balanced expression of the grain-wood combination. The Bourbon's heat-cycling produces more concentrated caramel and wood smoke; the Sour Mash is more approachable and won its global recognition on smoothness and balance.