Michter's Legacy Series, Small Batch, Rye-Forward Sour Mash Whiskey Aged in French and American Oak, 91.2 Proof
Shenk's Homestead honors the very beginning of the Michter's story. In 1753, Swiss Mennonite farmer John Shenk founded a distillery on his Pennsylvania homestead, the operation that would become Bomberger's Distillery in the 1800s and Michter's in the 20th century. Alongside Bomberger's Declaration, it forms the Michter's Legacy Series, released once a year in limited quantities, and every edition is a little different because of the experimentation Michter's carries out at the distillery.
For 2026, Master Distiller Dan McKee built a whiskey that is "a bit rye forward," using caramel malted barley in the mash to lend what he calls a "caramel bread pudding" note that balances the spice. The whiskey matured in a mix of French oak from the Vosges forest, air dried for 24 months, and American oak air dried for 60 months. It is bottled small batch at 91.2 proof (45.6% ABV), with each bottle hand-numbered.
Tasting Notes
Nose: Caramel, toasted bread and baking spice, with a lift of rye. Palate: Caramel bread pudding, vanilla and dried fruit, balanced by peppery rye spice and French oak. Finish: Warm and medium-long, with toffee, cinnamon and gentle oak.
Why Collectors Seek This Out
Annual limited release from Michter's Legacy Series, a perennial sell-out
Rye-forward 2026 recipe with caramel malted barley
Matured in Vosges French oak air dried 24 months and American oak air dried 60 months
Crafted by Master Distiller Dan McKee, bottled at 91.2 proof (45.6% ABV)
Hand-numbered small batch bottles
Named for the 1753 homestead distillery at the root of America's oldest whiskey lineage
Vosges French Oak (24-Month Air Dried) and American Oak (60-Month Air Dried)
Size
750mL
Proof / ABV
91.2 Proof (45.6% Alc. Vol.)
Distillery
Michter's Distillery, Louisville, Kentucky
Please drink responsibly. Must be 21+ to purchase.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Shenk's Homestead?
It is an annual limited release from Michter's Legacy Series, named for the Pennsylvania homestead distillery John Shenk founded in 1753, the origin of what became Michter's.
What is a sour mash whiskey?
Sour mash is the traditional method of adding a portion of a previous fermentation to a new mash for consistency and balance. Shenk's is labeled Kentucky Sour Mash Whiskey because its recipe and process sit just outside the strict bourbon definition.
What is different about the 2026 release?
The 2026 edition is rye forward, uses caramel malted barley for a caramel bread pudding note, and was matured in both Vosges French oak and long-seasoned American oak.
How does it compare to Bomberger's Declaration?
Both are Legacy Series releases. Shenk's is the softer, caramel-and-spice expression at 91.2 proof, while Bomberger's leans on Chinquapin oak for cherry and chocolate at 108 proof.
Is this a limited release?
Yes. Shenk's Homestead is released once a year in limited quantities with hand-numbered bottles, and regularly sells out.
