The 2025 Shenk's Homestead Sour Mash Whiskey is a rye-forward Kentucky whiskey from Michter's, distinguished by its finish in un-charred, toasted French oak barrels, offering notes of toasted sugar, burnt marshmallow, baking spice (cinnamon, nutmeg), dried fruit, toffee, and nougat, balanced by oak and honey for a rich, complex, and smooth profile, bottled at 91.2 proof (45.6% ABV).
Key Characteristics:
Type: Kentucky Sour Mash Whiskey (a blend of bourbon and rye).
Mash Bill: Contains a significant amount of rye.
Aging: Finished in special toasted, not charred, French oak barrels from the Vosges region, air-dried for 24 months.
Legacy: Honors John Shenk, founder of the distillery that became Michter's.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: Toasted sugar, burnt marshmallow, warm rye spice, honey, vanilla, dried fruit, and polished oak.
Palate: Rich and toasty with baking spices (cinnamon, nutmeg), nougat, toffee, burnt sugar, dried fruit, and a pleasant warmth from the rye.
Finish: Smooth, lingering, with sweet spice and toasted oak, sometimes with hints of crème brûlée or dark fruit.
Overall Experience:It's described as bold and layered, blending rye spice with sweet, woody notes from the special French oak, offering a unique character that balances sweetness with wood-influenced depth.
