Shenk’s Bourbon (2024 Release)
Overall Score: 6.5/10
Overall Value: 2/5
Distillery: Michter's Shively Distillery
Classification: Whiskey
Company: Michter’s Distillery
Release Date: 2024
Proof: 91.2
Age: NAS
Mashbill: Undisclosed (Includes malted rye)
Color: Dark Caramel
MSRP: $110 (2024)
The Barrel Bros’ Review
The nose of this 2024 Shenk’s Bourbon is the clear highlight of this bourbon, and it’s what keeps you coming back to the glass. Right away, there’s a wave of red fruit—strawberry and cherry stand out most—joined by caramel apple sucker and crème brûlée sweetness. Let it sit, and notes of honey and graham cracker drift in, with a bit of Starburst candy and light oak that almost leans pecan pie. The nose definitely sets expectations high.
Unfortunately, the palate doesn’t live up to the promise of the nose. The mouthfeel is soft and velvety at first, but the flavors lean flat. Caramel and vanilla wafer cookies appear, with a bit of cherry fruitiness, but it quickly turns bitter and one-dimensional. Some drinkers even find notes of shoe polish sneaking in, which takes away from the overall balance. Compared to what the nose suggests, the sip feels lackluster.
The finish continues that downward trend. The cherry sticks around but picks up a slightly medicinal edge, with orange zest and heavy oak drying out the palate. Instead of closing on sweetness or depth, it ends on bitterness and dryness, with a flash of raw alcohol that doesn’t sit well.
While Shenk’s has a reputation for being a harder-to-find bottle, the drinking experience doesn’t justify the chase. The nose is genuinely enjoyable and suggests a pour that could compete at a much higher level, but the taste and finish never follow through.
At an MSRP around $110, it feels way overpriced, especially since the overall profile drinks closer to something you’d expect in a $40 bottle. If you find one on sale, it might be worth picking up for the novelty—but based on this review, it’s not a bottle that lives up to the hype or the price tag.
If you’re looking for specific notes from our Barrel Bros, read their individual reviews below!
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Individual Reviews
The Rye Guy Says
Score: 6,5/10
Value: 2/5
THE NOSE:
Caramel apple sucker and creme brulee.
The oak on the nose almost came across like pecan pie, but I think it stays on the woody side rather than nutty.
It has a sweet richness and a touch of fruity Starburst.
THE TASTE:
It has a soft velvety mouthfeel which was very pleasant.
The caramel from the nose sticks around and I also get a bit of vanilla wafer stick cookie.
There is also a bit of oak coming through but it's very light. Some fruitiness also makes an appearance, but its not bold. Primarily cherry.
THE FINISH:
Cherry, a bit medicinal and orange. The finish also dries the mouth out a bit and the sweetness is gone.
Also, I get a bit of vodka alcohol profile and oak.
Probably the worst part of the pour.
BUY OR PASS?
For a more difficult bottle to find, it’s not particularly great. The nose is pretty spot on, but the rest of the pour feels flat and lackluster.
I do think it would make a good old fashion, which isn't what you buy this bottle for.
The Hunter Says
Score: 6.5/10
Value: 2/5
THE NOSE:
This one is really promising. It’s all about red fruits—strawberry and cherry right up front.
It even reminded me of those strawberry-covered bananas you’d find at a Chinese buffet, or the cherry Creme Savers your grandma might’ve had in a candy dish.
After sitting for a bit, softer notes of honey and graham cracker sneak in, which makes it really inviting.
THE TASTE:
Once I took a sip, the excitement dropped off.
Note: I’m a big Michter’s fan, especially their ryes, and their bourbon is usually fine, but this sour mash doesn’t land.
It starts out hinting at bourbon but quickly turns bitter. It honestly drinks more like a young Michter’s bourbon with a flat profile and even a little shoe polish note.
THE FINISH:
The finish doesn’t do much to save it either.
More shoe polish, then a heavy oak note that lingers in a way that dries out the palate.
It’s not balanced, and it just doesn’t deliver.
BUY OR PASS?
In the end, this pour feels like a missed opportunity. The nose set me up for something fun, but the palate and finish just didn’t follow through.
And at $110, it’s way overpriced. Honestly, it drinks closer to a $40 bottle—and that’s coming from someone who really loves Michter’s.
