Seven extraordinary barrels. Three Kentucky straight bourbons and four Kentucky straight ryes, the youngest over 12 years old and the oldest over 30. The fourth-ever release of Michter's Celebration Sour Mash — Dan McKee's second selection for this series.
Michter's first released the Celebration Sour Mash in 2013 with a singular ambition: to offer a rare American blend intended to rival the finest spirits made anywhere else in the world. It was a watershed moment in U.S. whiskey history — the first time an American company explicitly positioned a domestic blend against the world's greatest spirits on equal terms. The 2022 is only the fourth release in the series' history.
For the 2022 edition, Master Distiller Dan McKee — in consultation with Master of Maturation Andrea Wilson — selected seven barrels: three Kentucky straight bourbon and four Kentucky straight rye, assembled into a single expression that spans more than 18 years of aging difference between the youngest and oldest components. The blend is bottled at 112.8 proof and 56.4% ABV. The result is one of the most complex and ambitious American whiskey releases produced in the modern era.
The Seven Barrels
- Bourbon components: 3 Kentucky straight bourbon barrels
- Rye components: 4 Kentucky straight rye barrels
- Age range: Youngest component over 12 years; oldest component over 30 years
- Proof: 112.8 (56.4% ABV)
Specs
- Producer: Michter's Distillery, Louisville, Kentucky
- Style: Blended American Whiskey (Kentucky Straight Bourbon + Kentucky Straight Rye)
- Proof: 112.8 (56.4% ABV)
- Master Distiller: Dan McKee
- Master of Maturation: Andrea Wilson
- Size: 750ml
- Release: 2022 — 4th-ever Celebration Sour Mash
Explore all bourbon at Wooden Cork.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How many Michter's Celebration Sour Mash releases have there been? Four — 2013, and three subsequent releases. The 2022 is the fourth-ever production and Dan McKee's second as Master Distiller. Each release uses a different combination of barrels selected from Michter's aging inventory.
- Why bourbon and rye together? The Celebration Sour Mash is a true American blend — deliberately combining the distillery's finest bourbon and rye stocks rather than limiting itself to a single spirit category. The goal is complexity that no single-style expression can achieve: the caramel depth of aged bourbon combined with the structure and spice of aged rye.
- What does "sour mash" mean? Sour mash is a production technique used throughout American whiskey — a portion of the previous batch's spent grain is added to each new fermentation, creating pH consistency and flavor continuity across batches. It is not a flavor descriptor but a production method foundational to Kentucky bourbon and rye production.
- How does the 2022 compare to the 2013 inaugural release? Each release reflects a different set of barrels — the age range, proof, and bourbon-to-rye ratio vary. The 2022 at 112.8 proof with a 12–30 year age spread represents one of the more powerful and age-diverse releases in the series.
Unfortunately, we can't ship to PO Boxes and APO addresses.
NOTE: Not Eligible for Return
By placing this item in your cart, you acknowledge that you are 21 years or older. A valid government issued ID (i.e. a valid driver's license, passport, or US Military ID) will be checked at the time of delivery to verify your age. If you do not provide a valid ID, we will not be able to deliver your order.
Cigar Pairings
View all
More from Michter's
Recently viewed
