Louisville, KY – Michter’s Distillery is set to release two new whiskeys for its 2024 Legacy Series: Shenk’s Homestead Kentucky Sour Mash Whiskey and Bomberger’s Declaration Kentucky Straight Bourbon. Each bottle in this series is marked with the year of its bottling, adding a unique touch to these vintage releases.
Innovative Production Adjustments
Michter’s President Joseph J. Magliocco emphasized the dynamic nature of their production process. “While there is some continuity from year to year, our production team makes creative adjustments to each edition of these whiskeys,” he stated. This approach ensures each release offers something distinct and innovative, while still maintaining the core characteristics fans expect.
A Historical Legacy
The roots of Michter’s Distillery date back to 1753, founded by Swiss Mennonite farmer John Shenk in Pennsylvania. Originally named Shenk’s Distillery, it was later rebranded as Bomberger’s in the 1800s. The distillery has since moved to Kentucky and been renamed Michter’s, yet it continues to honor its historical lineage through these annual limited releases.
Shenk’s Homestead Kentucky Sour Mash Whiskey
The 2024 edition of Shenk’s Homestead introduces a new ingredient to its recipe: caramel malt. According to Master Distiller Dan McKee, this addition provides a creaminess that balances the whiskey’s herbaceous and spicy notes. The blend includes rye and malted rye, with select barrels crafted from oak sourced from the Vosges region of France. These barrels were air-dried and seasoned for 24 months before being toasted. Bottled at 45.6% ABV, Shenk’s is priced at $110.
Bomberger’s Declaration Kentucky Straight Bourbon
This year’s Bomberger’s release continues its tradition of using malted rye and chinquapin oak. The unique chinquapin oak barrels, which are air-dried and seasoned outdoors for 36 months before being toasted and charred, enhance the bourbon’s dark chocolate and stewed fruit flavors. The 2024 vintage is bottled at 54% ABV and is available for $120.
Passion and Exploration
Andrea Wilson, Master of Maturation at Michter’s, expressed the dedication behind these releases: “This year’s release of Shenk’s and Bomberger’s is a reflection of the passion the team has for making exciting whiskeys with a thoughtful touch of exploration.”
Looking Ahead
In addition to these releases, Michter’s announced the latest batch of its 10-year-old Bourbon in March, continuing its tradition of crafting premium, innovative whiskeys.
