Speciality Brands has partnered with Kentucky-based Michter’s Distillery to bring two limited edition whiskeys to the UK market.
Following the initial US launch in June, Michter’s Distillery in Louisville brings two expressions from its 2024 Legacy series to the UK: Bomberger’s Declaration Bourbon and Shenk’s Homestead Sour Mash.
The two limited whiskies will be available to selected retail and on-trade partners through UK distributor Speciality Brands from October 2024.
The Michter’s Legacy Series honours the founder’s heritage. Drawing inspiration from 1753, when Swiss Mennonite farmer John Shenk founded Shenk’s Distillery in Pennsylvania, the Homestead expression is made using a portion of the previously distilled whiskey mash.
The 2024 Shenk’s contains rye whiskey aged in French oak sourced from the Vosges region. The oak was naturally air-dried and seasoned for 24 months before being toasted to Michter’s exacting specifications. The release also includes whiskey with ‘unique’ grains in the recipe, including malted rye and caramel malt, to offer a ‘smooth creaminess’ to complement the rye-forward herbaceous and spice qualities.
Shenk’s Homestead Sour Mash is bottled at 45.6% ABV and will be available from selected retailers in the UK for £120 (US$160).
The second limited release pays homage to the original Shenk’s Distillery, retitled Bomberger’s Distillery in the 1800s before its name changed to Michter’s in the mid-20th century.
Bomberger’s Declaration is a Kentucky straight Bourbon made to celebrate Abraham Bomberger, the second owner of the distillery.
The 2024 release continues the tradition of using Bourbon aged in chinquapin oak, which was naturally air-dried and seasoned for three years before being toasted and charred to Michter’s exacting specifications. This year’s release also includes Bourbon with malted rye in the recipe, resulting in a ‘bold and vibrant’ whiskey with ‘many layers of rich complexity’.
Bomberger’s Declaration Bourbon is offered at 54% ABV and retails for £120 (US$160).
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