Shenk’s Homestead Sour Mash Whiskey Review (2024 Release)

There are certain bottles that become tied to a memory more than a tasting note, and for me Shenk's is one of them.

The first time I ever tried it was on my first guys' trip to Kentucky. We ended up with a pour of the 2019 Shenk's alongside the 2021 Bomberger's Declaration, and at the time I honestly didn't know much about either bottle. I just knew they were annual releases from Michter's that seemed to have developed a loyal following.

Since then, I've come across Shenk's from time to time, but it's never become one of those bottles I actively chase every year. Part of that is because Michter's doesn't tell us a whole lot about what's actually in the bottle. Unlike their bourbon or rye, Shenk's carries the simple designation of "Kentucky Sour Mash Whiskey," which naturally leaves enthusiasts asking the same question: what exactly does that mean?

Shenk's Homestead is one of two annual releases in Michter's Legacy Series, alongside Bomberger's Declaration. The name honors John Shenk, who founded the Pennsylvania distillery in 1753 that would eventually become known as Michter's. While that original distillery was historically associated with rye whiskey, today's Shenk's takes a different approach. Michter's describes it only as a Kentucky Sour Mash Whiskey produced using the traditional sour mash process, where a portion of a previous fermentation—known as "setback"—is carried into the next batch. The company also notes that every modern release contains a substantial amount of rye while experimenting with different grain selections, toasted barrel profiles, and maturation techniques from year to year.

What Michter's has never publicly disclosed is the exact mash bill, and I actually think that's part of the appeal. Instead of chasing numbers, each vintage becomes its own snapshot of what Master Distiller Dan McKee and Master of Maturation Andrea Wilson wanted to explore that year. One release may showcase Chinquapin oak, another toasted French oak from the Vosges Forest, while newer editions introduce specialty malts like caramel malted barley. The recipe evolves, but the philosophy remains the same: create something that doesn't fit neatly into the bourbon or rye category while still honoring the distillery's history.

The Bottle

Distillery: Michter's Distillery

Release: Annual Legacy Series Limited Release

Classification: Kentucky Sour Mash Whiskey

Proof: 91.2 (45.6% ABV)

Age: No Age Statement (NAS)

Mash Bill: Undisclosed

First Impression: S'mores, vanilla, and dark cherries immediately stand out with a soft sweetness that invites you back for another sip.

On the Palate: Dark chocolate-covered almonds lead the way before freshly toasted oak and a cooling touch of mint begin to emerge.

The Last Sip: Caramel lingers alongside crème orange candies while a gentle rye spice carries the finish just long enough to remind you this isn't your typical bourbon.

I wish I had spent more time with previous releases to really understand how Shenk's has evolved from year to year. That's part of the appeal of these annual releases, and unfortunately one of the downsides when you don't get the chance to revisit them often.

That said, this is an enjoyable pour. It offers a rich level of complexity with enough variation to keep each sip interesting without ever feeling overwhelming. Thanks to the current state of the bourbon market, finding a bottle is much more realistic than it would have been a few years ago. You may still need to do a little state hopping or lean on the bourbon community to track one down, but that's become part of the hobby.

What I wouldn't do is pay secondary prices. At retail, I can understand the appeal, especially if you're already a fan of Shenk's or enjoy exploring Michter's annual Legacy Series. If this is your first experience with the brand, however, I could just as easily see you walking away impressed as I could see you wondering what all the fuss was about. That's not really a criticism of this year's release—it's simply the nature of Shenk's and Bomberger's. They tend to divide opinion more than many of Michter's other offerings.

🟡 Try at a Bar