Starts like a bourbon, finishes like a rye, and refuses to be categorised as either. A whiskey with a slight identity crisis, but an exceptionally good one.
Michter's US★1 Original Sour Mash Whiskey is a small batch Kentucky whiskey that revives one of the most celebrated expressions from Michter's historic portfolio. During the 1970s and 1980s, Original Sour Mash was the distillery's most popular whiskey before disappearing from the market in 1989. It eventually returned in 2012 as part of the modern US★1 range, staying true to the distinctive character that made the original so popular.
The name refers to the traditional sour mash production method, whereby a portion of previously fermented mash is introduced into a new batch to encourage consistency during fermentation. Think sourdough bread, except the end result is considerably more entertaining.
Produced using a carefully selected grain recipe that falls outside the classification requirements for both bourbon and rye whiskey, Michter's Sour Mash occupies a rather interesting middle ground between the two styles.
Matured in new, fire-charred American white oak barrels and bottled at 43% ABV (86 Proof), it combines the rich sweetness of bourbon with the lively spice typically associated with rye. Expect toasted sugar, candied cherries, honeyed vanilla and a subtle smokiness, all wrapped up in Michter's signature rounded drinking style.
Its reputation is well earned, too. In 2019, Michter's US★1 Sour Mash became the first American made whiskey to receive The Whisky Exchange's prestigious Whisky of the Year award.
Tasting Notes
Colour: Rich golden amber with warm copper highlights.
Nose: Toasted brown sugar, honeyed vanilla and sweet cherries lead into cinnamon, buttered almonds and gentle oak. Subtle smoky fruit and warming spice develop with time in the glass.
Palate: Rich and beautifully balanced, opening with caramelised sugar, vanilla and candied cherries. Sweet, smoky fruit meets buttery malt, cinnamon and toasted oak, before a lively peppery spice introduces a distinctly rye-like character.
Finish: Medium to long, with lingering honey, warm baking spice, toasted sugar and a pleasantly peppery conclusion. Sweet on arrival, spicy on departure.
Technical Details
Brand: Michter's Origin: Kentucky, USA Category: American Sour Mash Whiskey Range: US★1 Production: Small Batch, Limited Quantities Production Method: Traditional Sour Mash Fermentation Maturation: New Fire-Charred American White Oak Barrels ABV: 43% (86 Proof) Bottle Size: 750ml Age Statement: Non-Age Statement
Awards & Accolades
Whisky of the Year 2019 – The Whisky Exchange
First American-made whiskey to receive The Whisky Exchange's Whisky of the Year distinction.
Why It's Worth a Look
Michter's Sour Mash occupies a particularly enjoyable space in the American whiskey world.
It delivers the caramel, vanilla and toasted oak sweetness that bourbon drinkers appreciate, while introducing enough spice and complexity to keep rye enthusiasts interested.
The revival of a historic Michter's expression also makes it a worthwhile addition to a collection, particularly alongside the US★1 Bourbon, Straight Rye and Unblended American Whiskey.
An excellent sipping whiskey, although its combination of sweetness and spice also makes for a rather serious Manhattan or Old Fashioned.
And unlike sourdough, you don't need to pretend you understand fermentation to enjoy the finished product.
Delivery within South Africa:
All orders are delivered from our central warehouse located in Montague Gardens, Western Cape. Local orders are usually delivered in 0-2 working days. Orders outside of Cape Town but within SA are generally delivered within 2-5 working days. If you require expedited delivery, we now offer an Express delivery service, which typically takes 1-3 working days, depending on your area.
While we strive for timely deliveries, there are occasional instances where delays may occur. These are rare but can happen due to unforeseen circumstances.
Delivery Rates:
At checkout, you will be presented with delivery options and corresponding rates. These rates are provided directly by our courier partners and are displayed as is. On rare occasions, a courier may generate an incorrect delivery rate due to issues with the address recognition. In such cases, we will arrange for an alternative courier to deliver your order at a similar rate to the original cost.
We believe in offering transparency in our delivery fees and, as such, do not include any delivery costs in our product pricing. We do not profit from delivery fees.
Third-Party Couriers:
For the majority of our orders, we rely on third-party courier services for delivery. Regular notifications will be sent and on the day of delivery the couriers will notify you via sms, call or email . If the courier is unable to reach you, we will get in touch with you to arrange an alternative solution.
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If there is something wrong with your product, we will gladly issue a full refund of 100% of your purchase amount. To process this, please reach out to us at info@mothercityliquor.co.za as soon as possible, and we will guide you through the refund process.
Order Cancellations: If you need to cancel your order, simply email us at info@mothercityliquor.co.za, and we’ll assist you with the cancellation process. Please note, cancellations will incur a small fee of 10%, which covers the transaction fees we incur for processing each order. If your order has already been shipped, please be aware that the shipping fee is non-refundable.
Consignment Orders:
We do not offer consignment stock or consignment deals.
Returns:
If you find that there is an issue with your product, you are eligible to return it to us. Here’s how you can initiate the return:
Email us at info@mothercityliquor.co.za to notify us of your intent to return the product. We will then guide you through the process.
Our returns policy is valid for 7 working days from the date of delivery. Unfortunately, if 7 working days have passed since the delivery of your purchase, we cannot offer a refund or exchange.
To be eligible for a return, the item must be unused and in the same condition as when you received it. It must also be in its original packaging. A 10% Fee will be charged on returns, unless the product was damaged or incorrectly supplied by Mothercity Liquor.
Return Shipping & Delivery Fees
Please note that original shipping or delivery fees are non-refundable. Where a refund is approved, the refund will apply to the eligible returned product(s) only and will exclude any shipping or delivery charges paid on the original order.
Unless the return is due to an incorrect, damaged, or defective product supplied by Mothercity Liquor, the cost of returning the product(s) to us is the responsibility of the customer. Customers are responsible for arranging and paying for return shipping and for ensuring that the products are securely packaged to prevent damage in transit.
We strongly recommend using a trackable and insured courier service when returning products. Mothercity Liquor cannot be held responsible for returned goods that are lost or damaged while in transit to us.
Where Mothercity Liquor supplied an incorrect, damaged, or defective product, we will arrange or cover the reasonable cost of returning the affected product, subject to the terms of our Returns Policy.
Exceptions to Returns:
Sale or Special Offer Items: Only regular-priced items are eligible for a refund. Unfortunately, items purchased on sale or as part of a special offer cannot be refunded.
Subscription Terms & Conditions:
By purchasing a Subscription, you agree to recurring automatic payments based on your selected delivery frequency (monthly, every 2 months or every 3 months etc).
Your subscription will automatically renew and your payment method will be charged on the same calendar day as your original purchase until your subscription is cancelled.
Minimum Commitment: Subscription pricing includes a discounted rate and therefore requires a minimum commitment of two (2) deliveries. Cancellation requests will only be accepted after your second subscription box has been successfully delivered.
Cancellation requests must be submitted before your next billing date. If your payment has already been processed, that month's subscription will still be fulfilled and dispatched.
Subscription payments are non-refundable once they have been successfully processed, except where required by applicable South African consumer protection laws.
In the event that a product becomes unavailable, Mothercity Liquor reserves the right to substitute it with a product of equal or greater value.
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