Note: This review of Michter’s 10 Years Old Rye 2025 Edition reflects the personal opinions of Beverage Dynamics Editor Kyle Swartz. This bottle was sent to the editor as a media sample.
The Michter’s 10 Years Rye and Bourbon both roll out only when Master Distiller Dan McKee and Master of Maturation Andrea Wilson approve of a release. In other words, these whiskeys are not bottled annually, but when their quality meets the standards of those two industry veterans at the distillery. Both the M10R and M10B, as they’re known in whiskey enthusiast circles, are single barrel products.
Michter’s 10 Years Old Rye 2025 is 92.8 proof. It has a suggested retail price of $210 per 750-ml. bottle, but will often fetch more than that on secondary and at retail.
Nose: Big spearmint and rye spice. Notes of milk chocolate, mixed candies, citrus, florals and medium oak. Extremely inviting and well-balanced, sweet and spicy.
Palate: More of the same, complemented by a big baking spice as the backbone. M10Rs have all the spearmint, spice and chocolate candies that you would expect from top-tier ryes. But what sets this apart from its peers are those citrus and floral undertones that help expand the palate and add additional depth and roundness to what’s already a phenomenally rich rye.
Finish: Again, an outstanding balance and roundness as the chocolate, spearmint and rye spice all fade hand in hand with those trademark floral and citrus notes. A touch of tobacco emerges. Not the deepest Kentucky hug, but — like most Michter’s releases — this punches well above its sub-100 proof. A longer finish than you would expect.
Upshot: I will be honest: M10R is my favorite whiskey. This world-class rye would still be an “A” without those citrus and floral notes. But it’s elevated to Best in Show status by those incredible tertiary flavors that add a level of depth, balance and richness that you don’t find in many other ryes, if any. The only downside is, as usual these days, the price. It keeps ticking up. But if you’re going to splurge, here’s a jewel of a bottle well worth opening your wallet.
Kyle Swartz is editor of Beverage Dynamics. Reach him at kswartz@epgacceleration.com. Read his recent pieces, 8 Beverage Alcohol Trends in 2025 and Our 2025 Spirits Growth Brands Awards Winners.
