Michter’s 10 Year Kentucky Straight Bourbon is back for 2026. Here’s why this limited release is worth every penny of its $195 price tag.
There are bottles you buy to drink, and bottles you buy to remember. Michter’s 10 Year Kentucky Straight Bourbon falls into the second category, though you’ll absolutely want to pour it. After a year-long wait that felt longer than the aging itself, Michter’s has announced its 2026 release of the coveted 10 Year Bourbon, shipping this March from the distillery. For whiskey collectors from London to Los Angeles, this is the kind of news that clears a calendar.
Why Michter’s 10 Year Bourbon Is Worth the Wait
Patience is practically a lost art. Not at Michter’s.
While most distilleries celebrate a barrel the moment it crosses the ten-year mark, Michter’s keeps waiting. Master Distiller Dan McKee explains the thinking behind it: “Because barrels even next to each other in the rickhouse don’t necessarily all age the same, we overage our whiskey and wait beyond the ten year mark and then select fully matured barrels for Michter’s 10 Year Bourbon. Our team is excited when we have 10 Year Bourbon that we feel is up to our high standards and ready to release.”
“Our team is excited when we have 10 Year Bourbon that we feel is up to our high standards and ready to release.”
Dan McKee
Master Distiller
In an industry where supply chain pressures push many producers to release early and often, Michter’s approach reads almost radical. It’s the kind of philosophy your favorite Michelin-starred chef applies to sourcing ingredients, except here the pantry is a Kentucky rickhouse and the timeline is measured in years, not seasons.
The Flavor Story: Rich Without the Heat
At 94.4 proof (47.2% ABV), this is not a high-octane whiskey trying to impress you with firepower. It’s doing something more interesting than that.
Master of Maturation Andrea Wilson describes the 2026 release with the kind of specificity that makes a collector reach for a glass: “The 2026 release of Michter’s 10 Year Bourbon is again a smooth, rich, complex, and captivating pour that evokes feelings of warm, reminiscent appreciation of a great whiskey. With its rich array of flavors it continues to remind that you don’t have to have a high proof to get a rich, flavorful drinking experience.”
That last point deserves a second read. The whiskey world loves a big number, 115 proof this, cask strength that. But Michter’s 10 Year makes the compelling case for restraint. The complexity here comes from time and barrel selection, not heat. Think of it like a great aged Burgundy from Gevrey-Chambertin: the power is there, but it arrives wrapped in silk.
For food pairing, this bourbon sings alongside a board of aged cheddars, dark chocolate, or a slow-braised short rib on a cold evening. It also holds its own neat, with nothing more than a wide-mouthed glass and somewhere comfortable to sit. Because honestly, some whiskeys deserve to be sipped without a to-do list nearby.
A Legacy That Started With This Very Bottle
Michter’s President Joseph J. Magliocco puts the 10 Year in personal perspective: “Ten Year Bourbon is very special for us because, along with 10 Year Rye, it was one of the two first types that Kentucky Michter’s ever released. As our team has continued to strive towards the goal of producing the greatest American whiskey, we have done all we can to make each offering of our 10 Year Bourbon a full flavored, rich whiskey that offers a memorable taste experience.”
“Ten Year Bourbon is very special for us…it was one of the two first types that Kentucky Michter’s ever released”
Joseph J. Magliocco
Michter’s President
That history adds weight to every bottle. This is not a line extension or a trend-chasing experiment. It is the original expression, refined year after year by a team that has spent decades treating American whiskey as a serious craft.
In October 2025, Michter’s became the first whiskey ever named The World’s Most Admired Whiskey by Drinks International for three consecutive years, voted on by an international academy of industry professionals. That streak is not accidental.
What to Expect at Retail This Spring
The 2026 release carries a suggested retail price of $195 for a 750ml bottle in the United States. Given the limited production and the brand’s track record of selling through quickly, this is not a whiskey to wait on. Secondary market prices for past releases have reflected strong demand from collectors who missed the initial allocation window, and that pattern is unlikely to change.
If you’re new to Michter’s, consider this the ideal entry point into their aged portfolio. If you’re already a fan, you already know what to do.
FAQ: Michter’s 10 Year Bourbon
Q: What makes Michter’s 10 Year Bourbon different from other aged bourbons? A: Michter’s deliberately ages its barrels beyond the ten-year minimum, selecting only those that have reached full maturity rather than releasing on a fixed schedule. This barrel-by-barrel approach means supply is limited but quality is consistent.
Q: Where can I buy the 2026 release of Michter’s 10 Year Bourbon? A: The 2026 release will be distributed through authorized retailers in the United States beginning in March 2026. Availability varies by region due to limited production. Check with specialty spirits retailers and the Michter’s website at michters.com for allocation updates.
Q: Is Michter’s 10 Year Bourbon good for cocktails or best served neat? A: Given its complexity and price point, most enthusiasts enjoy it neat or with a single large ice cube to open up the flavors. That said, it would make a genuinely spectacular Old Fashioned if you’re feeling festive and a little generous.
The Bottom Line
Michter’s 10 Year Kentucky Straight Bourbon is not just a seasonal release. It’s a small ritual for those who appreciate what time and craft can do to American whiskey. Whether you’re building a collection, shopping for a milestone gift, or simply treating yourself to something worth savoring, the 2026 vintage belongs on your radar this March.
Grab a bottle, find a good chair, and take Andrea Wilson’s advice to heart. You really don’t need high proof to have a rich, flavorful experience. You just need the right whiskey.
