Product Description:
Robust heritage meets Chinquapin oak intensity. Bomberger’s Declaration is part of Michter’s Legacy Series, a tribute to the long, winding history of one of America’s earliest distilleries. Originally founded in 1753 by Swiss Mennonite farmer John Shenk, the distillery was later known as Bomberger’s in the 1800s before becoming Michter’s in the mid-20th century. The 2024 release channels that layered legacy into a bold, small-batch bourbon bottled at 108 proof, designed for drinkers who appreciate depth and detail.
This release sees Michter’s dial into their barrel craft: Chinquapin oak—air-dried for three years, then toasted and charred to spec—brings a resinous, structured quality to the spirit. The mashbill includes malted rye, adding a textural edge and aromatic spice. Matured in heat-cycled warehouses and built from rigorously selected casks, this is more than just a nod to history—it’s a deliberate, modern expression of heritage.
With rich molasses, jammy fruit, toasted nuts and chocolate across the palate, Bomberger’s Declaration is best enjoyed neat or with a single large cube. Pair it with dark chocolate, charcuterie, or bring it centre stage in a spirit-forward Manhattan.
The Maker
The Michter’s story begins in 1753, when Swiss Mennonite farmer John Shenk established a distillery in Schaefferstown, Pennsylvania. Producing whiskey from local rye, Shenk’s became woven into the fabric of early American life. According to local lore, even General George Washington secured supplies from the distillery to fortify his troops during the harsh winter at Valley Forge — a legacy later remembered as “the whiskey that warmed the American Revolution.”
By the mid-1800s the business had passed into the hands of Abraham Bomberger, under whose name it became known for decades. Like much of the industry, the distillery was shuttered by Prohibition and spent much of the twentieth century in flux. In the 1950s, Lou Forman reimagined the brand as Michter’s, combining the names of his sons Michael and Peter, though by 1989 financial struggles had forced the Pennsylvania operation into bankruptcy.
The name might have vanished altogether were it not for Joseph J. Magliocco and his mentor Richard “Dick” Newman, who revived Michter’s in the 1990s with a clear mission: to make the best whiskey possible, regardless of cost. Relocating to Kentucky, they placed Michter’s at the centre of American whiskey once more, with a distillery in Louisville, the restored Fort Nelson Building, and farmland in Springfield. Today, Michter’s honours its Pennsylvania origins while shaping the future of Kentucky bourbon.
The Distillery
In the mid-1800s, Pennsylvania Dutchman Abraham Bomberger purchased the distillery and it became known as Bomberger's. However, the passage of Prohibition in 1919 forced the distillery, along with other American spirits producers, to shut its doors to the public. Although the distillery did reopen after the repeal of Prohibition, it changed hands many times over the next few decades and frequently occupied a precarious financial position. In 1989, with the entire American whiskey industry suffering a prolonged downturn, Michter's then-owners declared bankruptcy and abandoned the premises, leaving its Pennsylvania operations in disrepair and the Michter's name seemingly lost to history.
However, in the 1990s, Joseph J. Magliocco and his consultant and mentor Richard "Dick" Newman teamed up to resurrect Michter's. Magliocco and Newman made their first major strategic decision to resurrect Michter's in Kentucky, in the heart of the modern American whiskey industry, to ensure access to the best whiskey talent and resources available. Today, Michter's has three locations in Kentucky, including a 78,000 square foot distillery in the Shively section of Louisville, the architecturally significant Fort Nelson Building on Louisville's Museum Row and 205 acres of farm land in Springfield. Michter's is renowned for producing the best whiskey possible and they continue to honour the Michter's legacy by offering the greatest American whiskey. Michter's has come a long way since its early years in Schaefferstown, Pennsylvania and its resurgence in Kentucky is a testament to the brand's commitment to quality and attention to detail.
Tasting Notes
NOSE – Dark fruit & rye bread
Heavy oak with rickhouse must, rich caramel, cherry cola, maple, and freshly baked rye.
PALATE – Spiced molasses & fruit
Layers of molasses, dried cherries, black pepper, burnt orange and cocoa ride alongside raw almonds and baking spice.
FINISH – Long and layered
Oak, leather, and tobacco with balanced sweetness and persistent tannins.
Reviews & Accolades
A complex and flavourful bourbon that rewards the discerning palate. – Customer Review
The 2024 release is noted for its intricate balance of spice, sweetness, and oak, offering a rich and satisfying experience. – Expert Note
Finer Details:
Style - Bourbon Whiskey
Varietal - Kentucky Straight Bourbon
Country - United States
Region - Kentucky
Vintage - 2024 Release
Bottle Size - 700ml
ABV - 54%
Closure - Natural cork
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