MICHTER'S US★1 BOURBON

After decades of dormancy, Michter's relaunched as a serious Kentucky bourbon operation, staking its reputation on small-batch discipline: each batch of US★1 is limited to a maximum of twenty barrels, held in a single tank with no blending latitude to mask weak barrels. The mashbill centers on high-quality American corn, and barrels are pulled at peak maturation rather than on a fixed schedule. The result is mellow and approachable — caramel, vanilla, and stone fruit up front, with a smoky mid-palate and a clean oak finish.