Word: This evaluate of Whiskey Evaluate: Michter’s Shenk’s 2025 Version displays the non-public opinions of Editor Kyle Swartz. This bottle was despatched to him as a media pattern.
That is an annual launch from Michter’s Distillery, named after 18th-century Pennsylvania distiller John Shenk. By way of the years, Shenk’s distillery would finally grow to be Bomberger’s distillery within the 1800s, earlier than altering its identify to Michter’s within the mid-Twentieth century. The 2025 Shenk’s expression is 91.2 proof and has a prompt retail value of $110 per 750-ml. bottle. This was despatched to me as a media pattern.
Nostril
Cherries, caramel, charcoal, sawdust. Mild nostril with notes of clove.
Palate
Cherry candies and toffee dominate earlier than the baking spices take over. Notes of clove and toasted caramel. Good roundness to this palate, very nice, properly balanced.
End
The cherry sweetness persists with some medium oak and light-weight spice. This end is on the shorter aspect, however that’s no shock at simply 91.2 proof.
Upshot
Most individuals assume Bomberger’s > Shenk’s, and so they’re not incorrect. Within the majority of the years, Bomberger’s outperforms its accomplice. 2025 is not any totally different in, because the Bomberger’s has extra weight and depth. That stated, the 2025 Shenk’s is way superior to final 12 months’s launch, which I assumed was skinny and shallow. The 2025 expression has actual depth, particularly in its sweetness, and drinks simply. That is splendidly crushable. Jogs my memory of an excellent Kentucky Spirit launch with its cherry-forward sweetness and clean, easy-drinking nature. Some liquor shops have already discounted their 2025 bottles of Shenk’s, as a result of they’re (justifiably) afraid of any inventory sitting whereas the business goes by means of its present correction section. Now could be an excellent time to snap up a bottle of this strong sipper.
Kyle Swartz is editor of Beverage Dynamics. Attain him at kswartz@epgacceleration.com. Learn his current items, 8 Beverage Alcohol Traits in 2025 and Whiskey Evaluate: Michter’s Bomberger’s Declaration 2025 Version.
