Michter’s took the US*1 Bourbon and added it to a second barrel assembled from 18 month air dried wood that is toasted but not charred. The second barrel process is what creates the unique flavor in the US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish Bourbon. The second barreling process reportedly takes 26 days.
The nose is woody with noticeable smoke. The smoke is a nice balance to the sweet vanilla that is ever present in the taste of the Michter’s US*1 Bourbon. Fruit and vanilla mingles with the smoke on the finish.
The finished product is far more subtle and sophisticated than other ‘smokey’ bourbon treatments. The toasted but not charred flavor is there but never overpowering and a nice foil for the sweetness. It makes for a more mature tasting bourbon, making this skeptic a happy customer.