LOUISVILLE, Ky., August 26, 2026 – On the heels of being named The World’s #1 Most Admired Whiskey for an unprecedented fourth consecutive year, this September Michter’s Distillery will be releasing its US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish Rye. This whiskey is bottled at barrel strength.
“As our production team pursues our goal of striving to make the best American whiskey, we employ time-honored, traditional Kentucky methods, and we supplement them with our research and innovations. This is what led our team to create a new category when in 2014 we launched the first Toasted Barrel Bourbon finished in a second barrel that had been toasted, but not charred,” commented Michter’s President Joseph J. Magliocco.
Michter’s Master Distiller Dan McKee along with Michter’s Master of Maturation Andrea Wilson led production of the 2026 US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish Rye release. For this year’s release the barrel strength rye is finished in a second barrel that is made with wood naturally air-dried and seasoned outdoors for 24 months and is toasted to exacting specifications, but not charred. “A great deal of thought and detail goes into the creation of our Toasted Barrel Finish releases. The fully matured whiskey that we put into the second barrel for finishing and the particular toast level of that second barrel have to be just right to achieve the perfect balance. This year’s release is another great example of how our team marries art and science to create an amazing whiskey,” commented McKee.
Maturation is critical to creating a high quality whiskey. In describing the 2026 US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish Rye, Wilson observed, “Every moment of this whiskey is designed to be savored slowly. It brings a level of rich comfort with its dark and savory notes, but transitions to the inviting characters of a baked cinnamon roll with melted caramel icing. It lingers with warm, rich gingerbread notes and a beautiful toastiness reminding us that memories are often made with a campfire, good friends, and a great pour.”
The average barrel proof for the Toasted Rye barrels bottled for this barrel strength release is 109.1 proof (54.55% ABV). The suggested retail price of Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish Rye is $120 for a 750ml bottle in the U.S.
This August 2026, Michter’s became the first whiskey to be named in four consecutive years The World’s #1 Most Admired Whiskey by an international academy of voters convened by UK-based Drinks International. Michter’s has a rich and long legacy of offering traditional American whiskeys of uncompromising quality. With each of its limited production offerings aged to its peak maturity, Michter’s highly acclaimed portfolio includes bourbon, rye, sour mash whiskey, and American whiskey. For more information about Michter’s, please visit michters.com.
