Named after the previous iteration of the distillery of Michter’s. Bomberger’s Declaration made whiskey in Pennsylvania up until the 1990’s, when the distillery closed and later re-opened in Kentucky under the Michter’s name. The 2020 release was bottled at 54% ABV with a limited outturn of 955 bottles.
First tasted as part of our Christmas 2021 tasting, along with Shenk’s Homestead 2020 and Michters 10yo Sib.
Appearance: Identical to the Shenk’s Homestead 2020: Dark Mahogony and a touch of that tangerine colour. Olive oil viscosity clings for an age to the glass. Thick legs for days!
Nose: Big Abv wave, followed by dark and dried fruits, caramel, cherries in syrup, damp vegetation and nutmeg dusted orange peel.
There’s a eucalyptus coolness to the nose too, like very mild Vicks.
Palate: Very thick mouthfeel, immediately concentrated cherries in syrup (maybe cordial), thickly-buttered toast, Summer honey, Christmas spices and a sherry cask note too.
As the glass matures there are some wood notes that come through, along with an almost light sweet smokiness (maybe that sherry cask-like flavour developing).
When we tried this on the tasting a few days ago, we all agreed that it needed a few drops of water. Problem was that adding just a few seemed to have no effect at all!
Finish: Cherry cordial, sherry cask sweetness and slight smokiness, Christmas spices and clove-studded oranges.
Overall: On the tasting, I mentioned that this was the first whiskey that I’ve ever thought REALLY needed water, however, tasting it a couple of days later and I much prefer it to that dram?! It’s actually quite fantastic!
It’s Shenk’s Homestead 2020 on steroids but not as out of control as it was just a few days ago??
It’s REALLY good.
