Overview: Michter’s US*1 Original Sour Mash sits in an interesting spot — it’s technically classified as a “whiskey” rather than a bourbon or rye, which gives Michter’s freedom to do what they want with the mashbill and process. (If you’re not sure what sour mash actually means, the short answer is: almost every bourbon uses it — Michter’s just puts it on the label.) At 86 proof it’s not going to light anyone’s hair on fire, but there’s a hook here: this bottle has a reputation for starting like a bourbon and finishing like a rye, and I wanted to see if that actually holds up. For the record, Michter’s also claims it was the first American whiskey to win Whisky of the Year from The Whisky Exchange, so expectations are set accordingly.

Age: NAS

Proof: 86 (43% ABV)

Mashbill: Undisclosed

Nose: Inviting right out of the glass — this might be the most approachable nose in the Michter’s lineup. Rich caramel apple and vanilla bean lead the way, with a syrupy marshmallow quality underneath. There’s a bright hit of orange zest that keeps it from feeling heavy. If you sit with it long enough, you’ll catch a faint sourdough-starter yeastiness — a savory undercurrent that plays well against all that sweetness and hints at what’s coming on the palate.

Palate: Silky and easy at 86 proof, but not thin. Butterscotch, honey, and toffee hit first — classic bourbon sweetness. Then about halfway through, the floor shifts. Baked apricot and nutmeg show up, followed by a pop of rye spice and cinnamon that you don’t see coming at this proof. The mouthfeel is buttery and slightly more substantial than you’d expect from something in this range. The transitions are clean. It doesn’t feel like two whiskeys fighting for space — it feels deliberate.

Finish: Medium length, and this is where the “starts like a bourbon, finishes like a rye” thing actually lands. The sweetness drops off and you’re left with dry oak, leather, and a peppery rye kick that lingers longer than the proof would suggest. There’s a faint touch of dark cherry at the tail end. Clean exit. Palate is ready for another pour before the finish fully fades.

Final Thoughts: I came into this mildly skeptical — 86 proof whiskey from a brand with a marketing department this active is easy to dismiss. But the bourbon-to-rye transition on the palate is real, and the sourdough note on the nose is the kind of thing you remember. It doesn’t belong in a Manhattan — too gentle for cocktails — but as a gateway bottle for someone who can’t decide between bourbon and rye, it’s legitimately the right answer. At around $45, it earns its price without needing the story behind it.

Rating: Middle Shelf — Rating system explained