Michter's Epic History And Incredible Resurrection

Few brands encapsulate the sweeping history of American whiskey quite like Michter's. Its journey spans centuries, from immigrant roots in the 1700s, through the tumult of the 20th Century. It survived prohibition and a fluctuating marketplace only to end in ruin with its name sold off for a couple hundred bucks. Reborn as a non-distiller producer, it rode the bourbon boom to success and eventually became an acclaimed distiller in its own right. One of the most beloved and best-selling brands in the world today, the Michter's story is one of resilience, revival and craftsmanship.

Shenk's Distillery And The Birth Of Michter’s

The lineage of what would eventually become Michter's can be traced back to Shenk's Distillery. Established in Schaefferstown, Pennsylvania, in 1753 by Swiss Mennonite farmers John and Michael Shenk, it's considered one of the oldest - and potentially the very first - commercial distilleries in America. Initially producing rye whiskey, the distillery operated under various owners and names for over two centuries, becoming known as Bomberger's Distillery in the late 1800s after Abraham Bomberger acquired it. These names live on with the Michter's brand in the Shenk's Homestead Kentucky Sour Mash Whiskey and Bomberger's Declaration Bourbon limited-edition Legacy series.

The name Michter's first appeared in the mid-20th century. In the 1950s, Louis Forman, then the owner of Bomberger's Distillery, created a new brand name by combining the names of his two sons, Michael and Peter. Thus, Michter's Pennsylvania Dutch Sour Mash Whiskey was born. The brand gained a reputation for producing high-quality whiskey using traditional sour mash techniques.

Despite its reputation for quality, Michter's struggled in the latter half of the 20th century. Changes in ownership and market pressures led to periods of intermittent production. Ultimately, the Bomberger's Distillery, the historical home of Michter's, ceased operations in 1990, and the Michter's brand entered a state of dormancy. In 1995, the rights to the name were acquired for a mere $275 by Joseph J. Magliocco, an importer and founder of the Chatham Imports company. According to the brand, Magliocco’s affection for the brand goes back to drinking it during his college years and selling it wholesale when he began his career in the spirits industry.

Michter's Revival

After acquiring the rights to the brand, Magliocco partnered with consultant Richard Newman. Newman had previously worked at Old Grand-Dad and Old Crow, and served as President and CEO of Austin Nichols, distillers of Wild Turkey. Together, Magliocco and Newman recognized the historical significance and potential of the brand. Their first Michter's releases hit the market in 1997. Initially, Michter's operated as a non-distiller producer (NDP), sourcing and blending whiskey primarily from Kentucky distilleries, including what is now Brown-Forman's Early Times Distillery.

Michter's quickly distinguished itself by focusing on limited, high-quality releases rather than volume. The brand's commitment to quality over quantity allowed it to earn prestige and establish a strong market position. Their re-entry into the market fortuitously coincided with the "Bourbon Boom," further accelerating its growth and prominence and laying the groundwork for future expansion and the brand’s eventual transition to proprietary distillation.

Michter's Today

Michter's began building its own distillery in Shively, Kentucky in 2012. The first whiskeys were distilled there in 2015. Today, Michter's operates its primary production facility in Shively, complemented by a farm and operations center in Springfield, Kentucky, and the Fort Nelson Distillery in Downtown Louisville. Under the leadership of Joseph J. Magliocco and Master Distiller Dan McKee, the brand now meticulously oversees its entire production process, from grain selection through aging, ensuring consistency and quality from start to finish.

Michter's commitment to quality has garnered significant industry recognition. In 2012, they were awarded Wine Enthusiast's "Distillery of the Year." In 2023 and 2024, Drinks International named Michter's "World's Most Admired Whiskey." In January 2025, Drinks International also named Michter's the #1 best-selling American whiskey in the world's top bars. This culmination of control and acclaim has secured Michter's reputation as a leading, ultra-premium brand, and marked its complete revival as a distiller of its own distinguished products.

Michter's Offerings

Michter's offers a full range of bourbons and ryes, from everyday sippers to prized allocated releases. Michter's US-1 bourbon serves as their flagship bourbon, and is known for its rich and complex flavor profile. The US-1 Small Batch Sour Mash Whiskey offers a unique and distinct character, while the US-1 Single Barrel Straight Rye Whiskey showcases their rye program. For those seeking even more intensity, the Michter's US-1 Limited Release Barrel Strength Rye provides a robust experience. Older and more nuanced expressions include Michter’s 10 Year Old Single Barrel Bourbon and Michter’s 10 Year Old Single Barrel Rye. The highly sought-after Michter's 20 Year Old bourbon, Michter's 25 Year Old bourbon, and the exceptionally rare Michter's Celebration Sour Mash Whiskey represent the pinnacle of Michter's bourbon portfolio.

Photographs courtesy of Michter's Distillery.