Michter's 2018 20 Year Old Limited Release

20 years. Released only when Master Distiller Dan McKee and Master of Maturation Andrea Wilson determine exceptional barrels are ready. One of the rarest aged American bourbons produced.

Michter's 20 Year Kentucky Straight Bourbon sits at the apex of the Michter's lineup. It is not an annual release — it is produced only when the production team determines that a cohort of 20-year barrels has genuinely peaked. Years pass between releases. The 2018 was approved by Master Distiller Dan McKee and Master of Maturation Andrea Wilson and represents one of the most patient releases in American bourbon production.

At 20 years in new charred American oak, the bourbon has developed a depth and concentration that places it in direct comparison with the world's finest aged spirits. Extended maturation in Kentucky's extreme seasonal climate creates a flavor complexity that cannot be rushed or replicated at a shorter age. Like the 2019 release, the 2018 is a vintage-dated, documented, limited bottling that cannot be restocked once sold.

Tasting Notes

• Appearance: Deep mahogany amber with exceptional viscosity from two decades of barrel contact.
• Aroma: Concentrated caramel, dark fruit, dark chocolate, toasted oak, and a warm complexity that only extended maturation produces.
• Palate: Full-bodied and silky — toffee, dried cherry, leather, oak tannins, and a grain sweetness completely integrated by 20 years in the barrel.
• Finish: Exceptionally long — spice, oak, and dark fruit fading slowly into a warm, deeply satisfying close.

Specs

• Producer: Michter's Distillery, Louisville, Kentucky
• Style: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
• Age: 20 years
• Master Distiller: Dan McKee
• Master of Maturation: Andrea Wilson
• Size: 750ml
• Release: 2018

Explore all bourbon at Wooden Cork.

Frequently Asked Questions

• How does the 2018 release differ from the 2019? Both are vintage-dated 20 Year releases approved by the same production team. The 2018 and 2019 reflect different cohorts of barrels that peaked in those respective years — the flavor profiles will differ based on specific barrel selection. The 2018 is older and harder to source.
• How rare is Michter's 20 Year? Extremely. It is produced only when exceptional 20-year barrels are available and approved — the gap between releases is often several years, and no year is guaranteed a release. Total production is very small.
• What is Andrea Wilson's role as Master of Maturation? Andrea Wilson is one of the few people in American whiskey with a dedicated maturation oversight role, responsible for monitoring barrel development and determining when specific barrels have peaked. Her approval alongside the Master Distiller is required before any Michter's aged expression is released.
• How does the 20 Year compare to the Michter's 10 Year? The 10 Year is the accessible entry point into Michter's aged lineup. The 20 Year adds a full additional decade, producing dramatically greater concentration, darker fruit, and deeper oak integration. It is a fundamental step up in every dimension.