Editor’s Note: We received a review sample of this whisky from the brand, but in accordance with our editorial guidelines, this did not influence the outcome of our review in any way.
Michter’s Distillery is one of the most popular distilleries in Kentucky today. The history of this brand began in Pennsylvania in 1753 and, after many twists and turns, finally ended in Kentucky under the leadership of the Michter’s president, who continues to this day. Joseph J. Magliocco.
While Michter’s 2024 has a decidedly forward-thinking agenda focused on Kentucky, Magliocco and company want to honor the brand’s history through their Legacy Series, an annual offering of two vintage-dated bottles that also allows the distillery team to play outside the usual Michter’s sandbox, as each release is different from those of previous years.
“Although there is some continuity from year to year, our production team makes creative adjustments to each edition of these whiskies,” said Magliocco, when this year’s bottlings were unveiled.
Most read articles
The two offerings in this series, Shenk’s Homestead Kentucky Sour Mash Whiskey and Bomberger’s Declaration Kentucky Straight Bourbon, play with the timeline of history as follows: In 1753 Johannes Schenk founded Shenk’s distillery in PennsylvaniaThis distillery was later renamed Bomberger’s Distillery in the 19th century before being renamed Michter’s Distillery in the mid-20th century.
What’s in the bottle
The whisky discussed here, Bomberger’s Declaration Kentucky Straight Bourbon (2024), contains some rye malt in its recipe as a variant.
“The 2024 edition of Bomberger’s continues the use of some Chinquapin (Quercus sylvestris) oak to bring out the dark chocolate and compote notes in this strong whisky, which are then complemented by the spice notes to provide a bold, rich, balanced complexity and a long-lasting warm finish for your drinking pleasure,” says Michter’s Master of Maturation Andrea Wilson.
At the time of this bourbon’s release, it was noted that this year’s Chinquapin oak was air-dried and aged outdoors for 36 months before being roasted and charred.
Bomberger’s has an alcohol content of 108 proof (54% ABV) and a suggested retail price in the US of 120 $.
