Note: This review of Whiskey Review: Michter’s Shenk’s 2025 Edition reflects the personal opinions of Editor Kyle Swartz. This bottle was sent to him as a media sample.
This is an annual release from Michter’s Distillery, named after 18th-century Pennsylvania distiller John Shenk. Through the years, Shenk’s distillery would eventually become Bomberger’s distillery in the 1800s, before changing its name to Michter’s in the mid-20th century. The 2025 Shenk’s expression is 91.2 proof and has a suggested retail price of $110 per 750-ml. bottle. This was sent to me as a media sample.
Nose
Cherries, caramel, charcoal, sawdust. Light nose with notes of clove.
Palate
Cherry candies and toffee dominate before the baking spices take over. Notes of clove and toasted caramel. Nice roundness to this palate, very pleasant, well balanced.
Finish
The cherry sweetness persists with some medium oak and light spice. This finish is on the shorter side, but that’s no surprise at just 91.2 proof.
Upshot
Most people think Bomberger’s > Shenk’s, and they’re not wrong. In the majority of the years, Bomberger’s outperforms its partner. 2025 is no different in, as the Bomberger’s has more weight and depth. That said, the 2025 Shenk’s is far superior to last year’s release, which I thought was thin and shallow. The 2025 expression has real depth, especially in its sweetness, and drinks easily. This is wonderfully crushable. Reminds me of a good Kentucky Spirit release with its cherry-forward sweetness and smooth, easy-drinking nature. Some liquor stores have already discounted their 2025 bottles of Shenk’s, because they’re (justifiably) afraid of any stock sitting while the industry goes through its current correction phase. Now would be a good time to snap up a bottle of this solid sipper.
Kyle Swartz is editor of Beverage Dynamics. Reach him at kswartz@epgacceleration.com. Read his recent pieces, 8 Beverage Alcohol Trends in 2025 and Whiskey Review: Michter’s Bomberger’s Declaration 2025 Edition.
