Shenk's Homestead 2021 Sour Mash Whiskey

Shenk's Homestead Sour Mash Whiskey. Michter's Distillery, Louisville, Kentucky — a Kentucky Sour Mash Whiskey made with a substantial amount of rye, honoring the legacy of John Shenk who in 1753 founded the distillery in Schaefferstown, Pennsylvania that would become known as Michter's in the 20th century and is recognized as America's first whiskey distillery — produced using the traditional sour mash process, bottled at 91.2 proof in annual limited vintage releases.

John Shenk's 1753 Pennsylvania distillery operated as a rye whiskey operation — rye was the grain of the American mid-Atlantic frontier, accessible and productive in the Appalachian foothills where Shenk established his farm and distillery. Shenk's Homestead honors that founding tradition: a sour mash whiskey with a substantial rye component that connects the modern expression to the grain heritage of America's oldest whiskey distillery lineage.

The sour mash process adds a portion of the previous batch's spent grain ("setback" or "backset") to each new fermentation, controlling pH consistency and creating a specific flavor continuity between batches that straight grain fermentation alone cannot produce — the same traditional Kentucky method underlying all Michter's expressions. Each annual vintage is a small batch production released alongside the Bomberger's Declaration, together honoring both pillars of the Shenk/Bomberger's distillery heritage.

Tasting Notes

• Nose: The substantial rye component's characteristic spice and grain character alongside the sour mash process's specific aromatic continuity.
• Palate: Full-bodied at 91.2 proof with the rye's natural spice and grain depth integrated with the sour mash's characteristic balanced sweetness and complexity.
• Finish: Warm and satisfying — the rye spice and sour mash character creating a clean, sustained close.

Specs

• Producer: Michter's Distillery, Louisville, Kentucky
• Heritage: Honors John Shenk, founder of Shenk's Distillery (1753) — America's first whiskey distillery
• Style: Kentucky Sour Mash Whiskey (substantial rye component)
• ABV: 45.6% (91.2 proof)
• Size: 750ml

Browse all whiskey at Wooden Cork.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Who was John Shenk? John Shenk founded a distillery in Schaefferstown, Pennsylvania in 1753 — recognized as America's first whiskey distillery. A Mennonite farmer, Shenk established his distillery on the frontier, producing rye whiskey from locally grown grain. The distillery later passed through multiple owners before becoming known as Bomberger's in the 1800s and then Michter's in the 20th century.
• What is the difference between Shenk's Homestead and Bomberger's Declaration? Shenk's Homestead is a Kentucky Sour Mash Whiskey with substantial rye, honoring the founding Shenk family tradition at 91.2 proof. Bomberger's Declaration is a Kentucky Straight Bourbon bottled at 108 proof, honoring the Bomberger's era name. Together they honor both phases of the same founding American distillery's heritage.