We scored big at Michter’s Fort Nelson in downtown Louisville! After three years of trying, Rebecca finally landed a coveted spot for the exclusive “Bottle Your Own” (BYO) Barrel Strength Bourbon experience. But that wasn’t all—we also walked away with the brand-new Michter’s US★1 Barrel Strength Sour Mash (Batch 26D0898) and the highly anticipated 2026 Bomberger’s Declaration Bourbon finished in Chinquapin oak (Batch 26C0634)!
Join Wayne and Rebecca on Your Bourbon Journey as we pop the tops, break down the specs, and taste all three of these limited Michter’s releases side-by-side. Is the inaugural Barrel Strength Sour Mash worth the $120 retail price tag? Does the 2026 Chinquapin-finished Bomberger’s outshine the lineup? And how does the 116.4 proof Fort Nelson Reserve hand-fill hold up against the hype?
Grab a pour and join us in the tasting room! Drop a comment below and let us know: Have you ever done the Bottle Your Own experience at Fort Nelson, and which 2026 Michter’s drop are you hunting this year?
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Michter’s US★1 Barrel Strength Kentucky Sour Mash Whiskey
- Classification: Kentucky Sour Mash Whiskey
- Distillery: Michter’s Distillery (Louisville, KY)
- Mash Bill: Undisclosed (proprietary blend where no single grain reaches 51%, straddling bourbon and rye profiles)
- Age: NAS
- Proof: 111.2 (55.6% ABV)
- SRP: $120
- Released: May 2026 (Inaugural barrel-strength release of the US★1 Sour Mash)
- Other: Batch No. 26D0898; limited small batch; 103-proof barrel entry; signature Michter’s filtration.
- Purchased: 08/15/2026 for $119 at Michter’s Fort Nelson (Louisville, KY)
Bomberger’s Declaration Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (2026 Release)
- Classification: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
- Distillery: Michter’s Distillery (Louisville, KY)
- Mash Bill: Undisclosed (high corn content balanced with a significant portion of malted rye)
- Age: NAS
- Proof: 108 (54.0% ABV)
- SRP: $120
- Released: June/July 2026 (Part of the annual Michter’s Legacy Series alongside Shenk’s Homestead)
- Other: Bottle 826 of 2,503; Batch No. 26C0634; incorporates bourbon aged/finished in custom toasted and charred Chinquapin oak barrels air-dried and seasoned for three years.
- Purchased: 08/15/2026 for $129 at Michter’s Fort Nelson (Louisville, KY)
Michter’s Fort Nelson Reserve Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (Barrel Strength – Bottle Your Own)
- Classification: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
- Distillery: Michter’s Distillery (Louisville, KY)
- Mash Bill: Undisclosed (standard Michter’s bourbon mash bill)
- Age: NAS (Non-Age Stated)
- Proof: 116.4 (58.2% ABV)
- SRP: $160 (Distillery Exclusive / BYO Experience)
- Released: Bottled 08/15/2026
- Other: Michter’s Fort Nelson “Bottle Your Own” hand-fill experience; Barrel No. FN26F2246; single barrel; barrel entry proof 103.
- Purchased: 08/15/2026 for $160 at Michter’s Fort Nelson (Louisville, KY)
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NOTE: The spirits in this review were purchased by us. We were not compensated by the spirit producer for this review. This is simply our opinion based on what we tasted on this day. Please drink responsibly.
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