As I mentioned last week, this bottle is the sister bottle to Shenk’s Homestead Sour Mash Whiskey, and both have become regular annual releases that I search out and purchase each year. Although both releases can vary drastically from year to year, I have yet to have a bottle of either that truly disappoints me; although some years are definitely better than others. Today’s review comes from the Michter’s Distiller and is their 2025 release of Bomberger’s Declaration Kentucky Straight Bourbon (Batch#25F1958).

Bottle Information

From the Michter’s Distillery website: Bomberger’s Declaration 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.

This 2025 release of Bomberger’s Declaration Kentucky Straight Bourbon continues the flavorful tradition of using bourbon aged in Chinquapin (Quercus muehlenbergii) oak. This year’s release uses barrels wherein the wood has been naturally air dried and seasoned for different periods of time before undergoing our exacting toast and char specifications. The spectrum of barrels used have been seasoned for 18 months, 3 years, 4 years and 5 years thus changing the chemistry of the oak’s contribution during aging. The result is a bold journey of flavor with chocolate, floral notes, berries, salted caramel, baking spice and many rich, decadent layers of complexity.

• Distiller: Bottled by Michter’s Distillery
• Mash Bill: Undisclosed
• Proof: 108
• Age: NAS
• Year: 2025
• MSRP: $120
• 2025 National Average: $210
• Official Website

Unlike the past four years of this hobby where these two bottles were near impossible to find, and often overpriced, this year was different. The 2025 and 2024 releases still sit on several shelves across the NoCo area and most are at MSRP. Overall, this year’s Bomberger’s Declaration is an excellent bourbon release from the Michter’s Distillery. With traditional notes of brown sugar, vanilla, and oak balanced with baking spices and oak, in my opinion, this release is one of their best in several years. With that said, let’s get our taste on!

• Nose: Dark Red Fruit, Vanilla, Milk Chocolate, and Slight Oak
• Palate: Vanilla, Stewed Red Fruit, Brown Sugar, Baking Spice, and Oak
• Finish: Medium to Long with Lasting Notes of Warm Baking Spice and Sweet, Yet Drying Vanilla Oak
• My Rating: Drink It!/Save It! (An excellent bourbon release from Michter’s… enough said.)

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®