Michter’s 2025 Barrel Strength Rye Is Here — and It’s a Stunner

(Photo: Michter’s/Instagram)

Louisville, Kentucky distillery Michter’s is kicking off the year with the return of a fan favorite: the US*1 Barrel Strength Rye Whiskey. Bottled at an average 110.5 proof (specific proof varies by the barrel, as it is a single-barrel product), the 2025 release dropped in March.

This year’s batch is made with Michter’s signature Kentucky rye-style mashbill: 53% rye, 33% corn and 14% malted barley. That combination makes for a bold yet approachable spice-driven whiskey that also packs in rich, sweet flavors. Offer a glass of this to the bourbon lover who’s not a rye fan in your life — we’re pretty sure they’ll love it as much as you will.

“When we began selling our rye many years ago, American rye whiskey was virtually an afterthought for a lot of people,” Michter’s President Joseph J. Magliocco said in a news release. “Our team takes pride in our ryes, and it’s great to see how this category of wonderful whiskey has returned to the forefront.”

Master Distiller Dan McKee describes the 2025 release as a rye that offers “a nice balance of sweetness and spice,” while Master of Maturation Andrea Wilson added that the whiskey carries “baking spice, dark fruit, toffee and fragrant citrus and floral notes.”

So, How Does Michter’s 2025 Barrel Strength Rye Whiskey Taste?

We had a chance to taste the 2025 release and adored it. Here are our tasting notes:

Nose: Rich and dessert-like, with notes of crème brûlée, French toast, cherry and spiced apple pastries.

Palate: Silky and full-bodied with a tannic backbone. Flavors range from cherry and green apple peel to clove, gingerbread, nutmeg and brown sugar.

Finish: Warming and medium-length with apple peel, cinnamon, toasted marshmallow and just a touch of tobacco and peanut brittle.

With a suggested retail price of $120 a bottle, Michter’s US*1 Barrel Strength Rye isn’t cheap — but it more than earns its price tag with depth, complexity and balance. It’s another home run for a distillery that’s consistently releasing some of the best American whiskey on the market.

👉 Check out our full review of Michter’s 2025 Barrel Strength Rye here.