For those who do not know, it is bourbon and whiskey allocation season again and it is in full swing! Every fall, typically starting in late September, many distilleries release their annual allocated bottles. Since writing last week’s review I have seen many allocated bottles arrive and have unfortunately had to pass on purchasing them due to outrageous pricing. Hopefully more will come over the next few months, but I am still very lucky to be reviewing this bottle today! Today’s review comes from the Michter’s Distillery and is Bomberger’s Declaration Kentucky Straight Bourbon Batch#24F2278.

Bottle Information

From the Michter’s Distillery website: Bomberger’s Declaration Distillery Bourbon honors the legacy of the former distillery known as Bomberger’s in the 1800’s and later as Michter’s in the 20th Century. Please join us in toasting and celebrating American Whiskey History with this outstanding small batch 108 proof Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey.

This 2024 release of Bomberger’s Declaration Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey continues the flavorful tradition of using bourbon aged in Chinquapin (Quercus muehlenbergii) oak. The Chinquapin oak was naturally air dried and seasoned for three years before being toasted and charred to our exacting specifications. This year’s release also includes bourbon with malted rye in the recipe. The marrying of these bourbons results in a bold and vibrant whiskey with many layers of rich complexity.

• Distiller: Bottled by Michter’s Distillery
• Mash Bill: Undisclosed
• Proof: 108
• Age: NAS
• Year: 2024
• MSRP: $120
• 2024 National Average: $277
• Official Website

As I mentioned in last week’s review, and still holds true to this last weekend, typically this release, and its sister bottle, have been quite difficult to find in NoCo. It has been two years since I have been able to review both these bottles, and thankfully I was able to purchase these at near the suggested retail price. For those interested in the NoCo area, I continue to see both these bottles available at this cost in several stores.

Overall, I thought the 2024 Shenk’s was good, but the 2024 Bomberger’s is where it’s at for Michter’s this year! With beautiful bourbon notes of vanilla and brown sugar, this year’s expression includes amazing fruit and baking spice notes throughout. With that said, let’s get our taste on!

• Nose: Flat Coke, Cherry, Apple, Vanilla, Baking Spice, Dark Chocolate, Brown Sugar, and Oak
• Palate: Baking Spice, Vanilla, Brown Sugar, Baked Cinnamon Apples, Dried Cherry, and Oak
• Finish: Medium to Long with Notes of Baking Spice, Dark Dried Fruits, and Ending in a Drying Oak
• My Rating: Drink It!/Save It! (Well, I thought the 2024 Shenk’s was good…)

Please remember, drinking bourbon is a personal adventure, so do not be afraid to drink it neat, with ice, or add some water. It’s your bourbon, you bought it, and you should enjoy it how you want to enjoy it!

Cheers! Prost! Sláinte!

Bourbon Bossman™