Michter's 2019 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 absolute 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 2019 was approved by Master Distiller Dan McKee and Master of Maturation Andrea Wilson, and represents one of the most patient releases in American bourbon.

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 — hot summers driving bourbon deep into the wood, cold winters pulling it back — creates a flavor complexity that cannot be rushed or replicated at a shorter age.

Tasting Notes

• Appearance: Deep, rich mahogany amber with exceptional viscosity.
• Aroma: Extraordinarily complex — dried fruit, concentrated caramel, dark chocolate, toasted oak, and a warm spice depth that only extended barrel contact produces.
• Palate: Full-bodied and silky — toffee, dark cherry, leather, oak tannins, and a grain sweetness that has been completely integrated by two decades of maturation.
• 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: 2019

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Frequently Asked Questions

• How rare is Michter's 20 Year? Extremely. It is one of the most limited aged American bourbons produced — released only in years when exceptional 20-year barrels are available and approved. The gap between releases is often several years. There is no guaranteed annual supply.
• 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 reached their optimal state. 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 most accessible aged Michter's expression — critically acclaimed and already complex. The 20 Year adds a full additional decade of maturation, producing a bourbon of dramatically greater concentration, darker fruit character, and oak integration. It is a fundamental step up in every dimension.
• Is Michter's 20 Year a good investment? Yes — ultra-aged American bourbon from a critically acclaimed producer with genuinely limited and irregular release cycles tends to appreciate consistently. The 2019 is a documented, vintage-dated release that cannot be restocked.