Review: Bomberger’s Declaration Bourbon and Shenk’s Homestead Whiskey (2024)

From its custom filtration process to its unique approach to barrel toasting and specialty toasted offerings (which have inspired countless imitators), Michter’s made its modern name with an innovative approach to American whiskey. While the distillery hasn’t really tweaked its formula in recent years, it continues to innovate with its Legacy Series, albeit somewhat under the radar. The two whiskeys that make up that line, Bomberger’s and Shenk’s, may not at first glance appear very experimental, but a quick study of the Michter’s website shows periodic adjustments to the line over the years with 2024 marking maybe the most unique spins yet on these very limited offerings. Let’s check them out.

Bomberger’s Declaration Kentucky Straight Bourbon (2024) – The use of Chinquapin oak-aged bourbon has featured in every Bomberger’s release since 2018, and here too some of the component whiskeys have aged in Chinquapin that has been air dried and seasoned for 36 months. In addition, some of the bourbon used in this release has been made with malted rye, another first for the line. Despite that unique tweak to the recipe, this shows many of the hallmarks of previous releases and remains a standout highlight of the pair. The aroma is once again packed with slow-simmered fruit – peaches, apples, berries – all caramelized with brown sugar and ready for the pie crust. As it opens, things dry a bit with saddle leather and warm, seasoned oak but the fruit still hangs around with a lacing a black cherry and plump raisin. The palate is well-spiced and warming with thick notes of maple syrup and dark honey that transition to a midpalate of cherry pie and peach preserves. All of that alone would prove oversweet and syrupy, but a healthy layer of woody spice and old oak balances everything perfectly before transitioning to a generous, long-simmering, and layered finish of cinnamon sugar, cherry cordial, chocolate mints, and baking cocoa. My favorite Bomberger’s release yet. Reviewed: Batch #24F2309. 108 proof. A / $120

Shenk’s Homestead Kentucky Sour Mash Whiskey (2024) – As always, this is an unspecified sour mash whiskey with a “substantial amount of rye,” but for 2024, some of that rye has aged in French oak that has been naturally air dried and seasoned for 24 months before being toasted to Michter’s specifications. There’s no mention of using Chinquapin for finishing, which was a hallmark of some earlier releases. Specialty grains are also featured in this edition such as malted rye (a reprise from 2023) and caramel malt, an apparent first. On the nose, this is a very different whiskey than my last Shenk’s encounter (in 2020), with more fresh oak, chewy caramel, and sticky vanilla bean notes. As it opens, fresh baking spice becomes abundant, and a hint of golden raisin arrives. The palate is quite a departure, as well, with significantly more initial spice. Notes of black pepper and clove turn to dry bay leaf and new oak on the midpalate before a generous, warming finish of candied ginger, clover honey, and apple chutney heavy with fresh cinnamon. The rye and French oak dominate this one, and while I slightly prefer the previous releases, fans of Michter’s ryes should seek this out. Reviewed: Batch #24E2232. 91.2 proof. B+ / $110

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